Nursing shortage

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Fundamentals, Medical Surgical, Tele..

Many people do not realize why there is such a major nursing shortage in America. There are several reasons for this:

1) Lack of money into Education

2) Limited Nursing space and facilities to accomodate nursing students

3) Nursing Educators are retiring from the profession, therefore there are less Nursing Educators

4) Nurses who are overworked due to staff shortages are at risk of leaving the profession

There are many bright people who want to enter Nursing but have to wait for many months or years to get into Nursing school due to a limited amount of space into the program. This is unacceptable. There has to be a way to get these students into Nursing programs without waiting.

Patient care is compromised when there is inadequate numbers of nurses available to take care of the patients. Our patients are becoming more sicker and they need good care.

Anybody know how we can fix this drastic problem?

Thanks,

Paul

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the General nursing discussion forum

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Where is this nursing shortage located? If there is a nursing shortage, why are so many nurses out of work and unable to find jobs?:confused:

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.
many people do not realize why there is such a major nursing shortage in america........ there are several reasons for this:

anybody know how we can fix this drastic problem?

is this a joke post? if not, then do you mean south america or canada (neither job markets of which i know)? if you are talking about the good ol’ u.s.a, then you are a little mistaken. although i concede that some areas have a few job openings from time to time, there definitely is no nursing shortage in the united states of america. the job market is especially cruel to most new graduate nurses.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Unemployment of nurses in my area is extremely high - few of the new grads can even get jobs.

There is no nursing shortage - there is a recession.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
Many people do not realize why there is such a major nursing shortage in America.
And even more do not realize that quite the opposite is true... there is actually a huge glut of nurses in America.
There are many bright people who want to enter Nursing but have to wait for many months or years to get into Nursing school
And there are many, many bright people who have graduated from nursing school only to discover that there are very few jobs available for graduates.
Anybody know how we can fix this drastic problem?
Yep... by having people stop spouting tired myths and instead speak the truth...

THERE IS NO NURSING SHORTAGE... THERE IS A NURSING GLUT.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

I see that you're a nursing educator. I hope that you don't feed the shortage lies to your students and prospective students.

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During school, I heard all about this mythical "nursing shortage."

What I have discovered since graduating is that the only shortage existing is that of nursing jobs!

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I am so sick of hearing about the "nursing shortage." People are always telling me "You're a nurse. You will never be out of work." I feel sorry for the new nurses especially who can't get jobs. I worry that the public is thinking "Gee, you're a nurse. What's wrong with you that you don't have a job?:crying2:

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Specializes in OB.

In the recent past there has been a shortage - not of nurses, but of nurses willing to work under the available conditions.

Now with the economy so bad and so many others out of work we are seeing nurses taking jobs and working under otherwise unacceptable conditions, so now there are few positions left empty and those are not being filled by hospitals which would rather make the nurses work short and save the money.

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Specializes in ER.

I'm a "newer" BSN grad that finally got employed after 10 months of looking. I would suggest that you look into the "nursing shortage" before you post such questions. My heart is breaking for nursing students and potential student right now because they are in for a shock when they graduate. We don't need anymore nursing schools. We need to stop perpetuating the message that nursing is the "perfect, recession-proof, stable, well-paid, glamorous" career. Then there wouldn't be a shortage of spots in nursing schools.

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Specializes in student.
I'm a "newer" BSN grad that finally got employed after 10 months of looking. I would suggest that you look into the "nursing shortage" before you post such questions. My heart is breaking for nursing students and potential student right now because they are in for a shock when they graduate. We don't need anymore nursing schools. We need to stop perpetuating the message that nursing is the "perfect, recession-proof, stable, well-paid, glamorous" career. Then there wouldn't be a shortage of spots in nursing schools.

Great Posts Here.

From a little different perspective if I may.

I am the spouse of a nursing (RN) student of only 8 years ago (She is a RN now). Back then Yes there were jobs everywhere (not just New Jersey) with huge sign on bonuses to boot. At that time there were not as many schools churning out new students to meet the need at the time and she was able to use her family conections to get into a program that was full to over flowing. However, I do believe many changes during that time and even now have and are taking place in the Med field that has effected Nurses' (RN's and LPN's) in particular. First the economy, it stinks. I used to see tons of plastic surgery centers on LI and NJ parking lots full and what they charged for boobs, tummy tucks and lipo were astronomical *yes my spouse had them all done* (truth but a great story for another day) Today these places are having "sales", offering discounts and such. Because of the economy elective surgeries are hurting that is also effecting the nurse. Second the Tech positions- Surgery Tech and all the other lower paying shorter schooled Techs. They are replacing RN's LPN's(Not judging there competency just talking about there role). Third- Inovation.. Do we have to keep people in hospitals like we did before or is there just a greater speed of recovery. Fourth-Today many institutions are churning out nurses at a larger number than ever before. Fifth- The government is soliciting foriegn nurses EVEN TODAY. (check out recent yahoo/google articles re this fact where is OBAMA Today ASIA). They will work cheaper and w/out complaining and without threat of unionizing and with all the foriegn Doctors there is less cultural differences. Sixth- the goverment again.. Politics... Huge!!! Health care is power... Dems and Reps. For them if they tell there constituents (Older America) we need cheaper labor or you may not get the health care you need because we have no money..... any means to get cheaper labor it is.

Funny spouse received Rn (2yr ASSOC at first). She had only psyche nursing exp(no ER no Med Surg) and was able to get a JOB in "prestigous" PACU unit (days only, few week ends chilling with Dr's). Due to name and family connections surely not surgery or recovery experience as she had none(other than school). There are many reasons I am afraid of Health care today. I have seen the inside (been to the parties, events and such) and seen these "professional" RN MD ADMINS people in there life outside these institutions as well It is ALL about MONEY! so be prepared "nightingales" you are in or the shock of your life. KISS BUTT I repeat KISS BUTT and watch your back and you might suceed... or no wait maybe get a job! Do not think what happened to car companies can't happen to health care It is called the world economy and GLOBALIZATION. AGAIN NOT SURE IF IT IS A BAD OR GOOD THING BUT IN REALITY HEALTH CARE IS BIG BUSINESS SO BE PREPARED NOT NAIVE

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