School

Katnip, RN · Nov 7, 2003

From all the studies and statistical predictions it is not true. Even with increased nursing school enrollments, it will not alleviate the current shortage, because the majority of nurses will be retiring within the next 20 years or so. That will leave a huge gap.

I've been told this shortage is like no other in the past. With a downturning economy, nurses still haven't gone back to nursing as they have done historically.

colleen10 · Nov 7, 2003

Because dctors know ALL about nursing and the shortage :chuckle

There are a number of reasons there is a current shortage and will continue to be.

1) Many people who became licensed nurses switched to other career paths because of more money, less stress, etc.

2) Many of these people will not return to nursing even though the economy is doing poorly and those that do often need to take refresher courses, etc. if they have been out of practice for an extended period of time

3) The average age of the US nurse is in the late 40's or early 50's I believe. These nurses will evenutally need to retire.

4) While the average hosp. stay is shorter, patient's are more accutely ill and require extensive, intensive care from nurses in and outside of the hospital

5) Aging "baby boomer" population

6) Schools are limited in the number of nursing students they can accept and then graduate because there is a shortage of current nurses willing to be instructors at education institutions

Just a few of many reasons.

colleen10 · Nov 7, 2003

Also, if everyone is "going into nursing" because the economy is so poor and there are few jobs in other fields, what are all your classmates planning on doing?

BamaGirlRN · Nov 7, 2003

Ditto to Colleen!

There will not be a surplus of nurses, unfortunately.

tizmonster · Feb 18, 2004

I have a question me and other pre-nursing students were talking and they have decided to change majors because they talk to doctors and others and they tell them that there is going to be a surplus of nurses because too many people are going to the field and there will eventually be less money than there already is (pay). I was wondering if anyone knew if that was true?

I can share with you this information in this field.

The population of chronic and acute dialysis (End Stage Renal Disease) will

explode from current 400,000 in US to 1000000 (that's 1 Million) by 2010.

The reason for this is primarily hypertension, our society becoming couch potatoes and not moving a lot, and the way we have abused our diets by

things we over indulge in. Also, we baby boomers will be coming into primetime to manifest CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease).

Nurses that enter this field have the satisfaction of maintaing the health of their patients, and have a long term bonding experience with patients while they are waiting for transplant. Because of the lack of donors in our society

Hemo and Peritoneal dialysis will be major factor in keeping these patients alive.

The professionals that enter this field are very critical thinkers, anticipating

outside factors like diabetes, bone care, vascular access issues, cardiac issues, dietary issues (the cardiac stuff comes from the lack of fluids in the body - and arteries get gunked up - sodium,potassium levels have to be constantly monitored).

This specialty is exploding. If you'd like to know more...I can introduce you to several sites to determine the clinical practice - There's a lot of need for very talented clinical RN's in this field...and to join this process now means you'll be part of a few.....your value should go up.

Bobbi Hashem, CPC

Nephsearch

[email protected]

SmilingBluEyes · Feb 18, 2004

Because dctors know ALL about nursing and the shortage :chuckle
.

heck doctors are a MAJOR CAUSE OF THE SHORTAGE...but you would never be able to tell THEM that. :angryfire

SmilingBluEyes · Feb 18, 2004

I.
The population of chronic and acute dialysis (End Stage Renal Disease) will
explode from current 400,000 in US to 1000000 (that's 1 Million) by 2010.
The reason for this is primarily hypertension, our society becoming couch potatoes and not moving a lot, and the way we have abused our diets by
things we over indulge in. Also, we baby boomers will be coming into primetime to manifest CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease).
I am already considering renal/dialysis in the future as I would like the hours better than OB and I do want to do something else. I know med-surg and bedside nursing are NOT gonna cut it for me when i am over 50. Too taxing. I am seriously considering a residency,next time they offer it around here.