Here we go again . . .

Nurses General Nursing

Published

While I was working yesterday, the TV in the room played a news story that made me take notice . . .

the reporter was saying that government studies predict that by 2020, due to the retirement of many thousands of "baby boomer" RN's, and the inadequate number of newly trained replacement RN's . . .

THERE WILL BE A MASSIVE NURSING SHORTAGE!!!!

Aaaaaagggghhhhh!!! What about the tens of thousands of new grad RN's who will be unemployed or underemployed that will be trained during the next 10 years??? Why do they continue to propagate this myth??

I believe there will be a shortage, but no one will hire because there will be less money coming in. Actually, I should switch that to present tense.

vegas2009

408 Posts

It a LONGG WAYY between now and 2020, I guess we all just need to see what happens.

Michigan

33 Posts

LOL, I remember when it was a long. long way to 2000.

LadyEJ BSN, RN

222 Posts

Specializes in Clinicals.

OMG...I wish they would stop with that NONSENSE! There is no shortage!!!!:smackingf

sunnycalifRN

902 Posts

It a LONGG WAYY between now and 2020, I guess we all just need to see what happens.

Haha! You must be a young person!! 2020 is only 10 years . . . when you get OLD, years go by faster and faster . . . my "baby girl" is 25!!!! For my sake, I hope that 2020 is a LONG WAY AWAY!!!:D:lol2:

kcochrane

1,465 Posts

I think by 2020 it could be true. Most of the nurses I am working with are 40-60 years. It will really depend on whether or not the economy picks up.

sunnycalifRN

902 Posts

I think by 2020 it could be true. Most of the nurses I am working with are 40-60 years. It will really depend on whether or not the economy picks up.

I don't know how many of the "boomers" will retire. The demographics of my co-workers is actually a little older than your co-workers . . . at least 6 RN's in their 70's . . . no plans to retire!! A number of my co-workers say they never plan to retire . . . just cut back their hours and keep on working. I guess they'll use a walker to go to the bedside!!!:D:D:D

kcochrane

1,465 Posts

I don't know how many of the "boomers" will retire. The demographics of my co-workers is actually a little older than your co-workers . . . at least 6 RN's in their 70's . . . no plans to retire!! A number of my co-workers say they never plan to retire . . . just cut back their hours and keep on working. I guess they'll use a walker to go to the bedside!!!:D:D:D

What a vision I have in my head. ;)

RNperdiem, RN

4,592 Posts

The assumption is that the baby boom generation will follow the same pattern into retirement as the generations before them.

This generation didn't want their parents' lives and will probably not want their parents' retirements. (Not that they have the gold watch and pension to match like many older people did).

My parents, my neighbors and my relatives at that age are all working. When I mention the word "retirement" I am likely to get the eye roll or the "retire to do what?" line.

Many people can't afford to retire fully.

CFitzRN, ADN

385 Posts

Specializes in L&D; GI; Fam Med; Home H; Case mgmt.
Haha! You must be a young person!! 2020 is only 10 years . . . when you get OLD, years go by faster and faster . . . my "baby girl" is 25!!!! For my sake, I hope that 2020 is a LONG WAY AWAY!!!:D:lol2:

I know exactly what you mean. It is uncanny. And unkind! One day bleeds into the next, and into the next, etc. It will be Christmas again before we know it and we'll be schlepping out our decorations and scratching our heads wondering where the last year went!!

sunnycalifRN

902 Posts

The assumption is that the baby boom generation will follow the same pattern into retirement as the generations before them.

This generation didn't want their parents' lives and will probably not want their parents' retirements. (Not that they have the gold watch and pension to match like many older people did).

My parents, my neighbors and my relatives at that age are all working. When I mention the word "retirement" I am likely to get the eye roll or the "retire to do what?" line.

Many people can't afford to retire fully.

I agree!! The "gold watch and fishing" retirement is the stuff of 1950's movies. I guess the statisticians and demographers who make the "nursing shortage" predictions just watch "Leave it to Beaver" re-runs and sit in their ivory towers!!:D:D:D

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