So, what happened to all the nursing jobs?

[RaycerX]

Can anyone tell me. "What happened to all the nursing jobs." For the last few years all you read was that there will be a nursing shortage till, at least 2020. That getting a nursing job was as easy as shooting fish in a barrel. Articles were saying that even in a recession nursing would be immune because people still need healthcare.

So, what happened. Is it really the economy? Have all the vacancies been filled? What about the huge bonuses nurses were getting to sign with a hospital? Some of my own relatives got these bonuses so I know they were real. Now some of them are seeing their hours and benefits cut. Besides the recession (which is a big thing) are there other factors involved?

The nursing profession is starting to remind me of when they encouraged everyone to become programmers...and then the outsourcing began. You can't really outsource nursing, but it's the same situation. Encourage young people in droves to go into a profession, but then a few short years later the field dries up. It's a shame, really.

Ray

[Peds_Nurse]

I'm a recent graduate and luckily found a wonderful job in a skilled nursing facility. I graduated from nursing school in the San Francisco bay area, where there is fierce competition for jobs. I moved to an area north of Sacramento and here there are plenty of jobs. What I'm seeing up here is most facilities are replacing their higher paid RNs with lower salaried LVNs. My facility alone has hired 3 in the past week, with 4 more job openings. And, they welcomed new grads. I think its both the location you are in and if you are an LVN or an RN.

[Streamline2010]

I think now ( i have witnessed at my hospital) Hospitals mostly only hire people with ties , or who have been working at the hospital for a while in a diff area. I do not see alot of new nurses comming on , but rather CNAS and TECHS graduating with there RN and taking up the nurse openings. I know for instance that our ICCU manager hired me from the lab over a new person that did not work there. Also, the labor and delivery manager likes to hire cnas in nursing school so they can upgrade to nurses in a few years

That strategy makes sense. "Who ya know" is how people have been getting jobs for years. With all of the liability issues and the stories of drug abuse, etc., I can see where it would be far more attractive to any business or industry to upgrade the proven employees they have, instead of hire complete unknowns and have all that risk of them either not working out or else quitting after they get some experience.

[momology]

Older nurses who have been working for decades entered the profession when the pay was much lower. So after sacrificing income for strikes and paying dues all this time why would they retire now when it finally pays well? There is a study being funded right now about what to do about the non-existant shortage. That money should be put towards training new grads. Right now i am applying for a refresher course that is paid for with government money which reserves half the spaces for "foreign born" and preferences them for the other half! Frankly with so many Americans having invested years of their life and precious financial resources I think that all H1B visas should be stopped until there Depression is over (the definition is in the length of time and I believe that has been passed, correct me if I am wrong). The Bush family is setting up a program which is like a medical peace corp so maybe that would be a place where some new grads could be of use. The call for relocation makes no sense since it seems to be everywhere.

[Streamline2010]

We are in the middle of a huge recession - the biggest we have seen since the Great Depression. It's no wonder there aren't jobs right now - hospitals are tightening their belts along with everyone else to minimize unnecessary costs.

No, I think we're really in Great Depression II and the gov't just denies it. Not only jobs, but entire industries, are disappearing or are cutting benefits or converting from full time employees to contract or per diem without benefits. It's a global restructuring to Third World mores. Without health insurance, and without extra money, people will use less heath care services. In NW PA, hospitals have closed. Some independent medical / surgical hospitals are starting up, but they do not create enough jobs to absorb all of the displaced workers.

[Streamline2010]

Older nurses who have been working for decades entered the profession when the pay was much lower. So after sacrificing income for strikes and paying dues all this time why would they retire now when it finally pays well? There is a study being funded right now about what to do about the non-existant shortage. That money should be put towards training new grads. Right now i am applying for a refresher course that is paid for with government money which reserves half the spaces for "foreign born" and preferences them for the other half! Frankly with so many Americans having invested years of their life and precious financial resources I think that all H1B visas should be stopped until there Depression is over (the definition is in the length of time and I believe that has been passed, correct me if I am wrong). The Bush family is setting up a program which is like a medical peace corp so maybe that would be a place where some new grads could be of use. The call for relocation makes no sense since it seems to be everywhere.

Amen. Boot all H1B visas back to wherever they came from. And you're right about the pay. My sister is a BSRN. I used to out-earn her through much of the 1990s with just my associate degree job, in a predominantly mail profession. (I have completed other degrees since then.)

[redeyefan214]

I so agree with you. I just heard from someone that another college is starting up a nursing program to help with the shortage. I'm like, what shortage??? We can't even get hired!!! I have friends who had to leave Hawaii and go to Texas to get started last year. I didn't have that option, I had to stay here and have applied in numerous places and there just aren't enough new grad programs here. Plus, unless you're already in a facility it can be very competitive and challenging. There are a LOT of new grads working as aides just to get their foot in the door and I think that is so unfair.

We worked hard for our degree and the opportunity to help and work as an RN. Facilities are more willing to bring in travel RNs, who sometimes call in sick more often than showing up from work from what one nurse told us, than bring in and train those who WANT to stay here and work. I ended up having to take a job in a pharmacy - I needed to work to avoid losing our home. I was offered the job and took it.

[noelania]

Here in Hawai'i many new grads last year were told our local hospital was only hiring LPNs and were so disappointed, many left the islands. In 2006 I got my ADN license and decided to continue on for a BSN, but luckily all my ADN colleagues are working. My BSN classmates have no such luck. I was fortunate to start working after I graduated but as an RN educator, not in a hospital, and fortunately I love it.

In Hawai'i many nurses are not retiring because they can't afford to, therefore no nurse shortage here. Also, there are many travel nurses that are taking positions even of our experienced local nurses... It bothers many healthcare workers as they would prefer these large organizations hire locally to help our local economy.

Perhaps the shortage will disappear when more baby boomers need extended health care and more private nursing homes open. There is a shortage of nursing homes here too...waiting lists are long.

But don't be disappointed fellow RNs...keep positive, network with your old instructors, be open to all opportunities...you never know where your nursing career will lead you.

Noelani, RN

[gardengal1, ASN, RN]

In our hospital, we have seen much belt tightening - we are running lean and are often short staffed. We have the positions open - they are just not hiring right now. Our ER department alone has 3 openings right now but they are not going to fill them until the economy gets better. I would guess lots of other hospitals are doing the same right now. For you new grads, ask the hospitals to keep your resume active for 6 months and when an RN position opens up, to call you for an interview. Some hospitals will do this. Others depend on you checking their job listings and sending your application every time you find an opening. Keep trying, especially if there is one particular facility that you want to work for. Hopefully, all of this is going to get better.

[muffin741]

Angel RN 1 where do you live? I am willing to relocate to find a job if that's what it takes. Thanks for weighing in.

[Footballnut]

This is a cycle that is tied to the economy. Nursing is so fluid that it fills in the gaps for families readily when the rest of family finances get limited. Many nurses are working now that would be otherwise retired or home with their families. I expect hospitals to lag a little behind in the economic recovery so nursing jobs will be tight for a while.

Anyone with a good skill set should be able to find work, maybe just not the hours or exact type of work they are looking for. A huge number of nursing jobs were lost or changed in the early 80's with the changes in funding to hospitals that occurred at that time. I had happened to take some time away from a full time job to have a baby when everything hit. I was resource at my hospital and couldn't get back on staff. I found that floor jobs were being taken by Master's prepared RNs. I couldn't compete even though I have a BSN and some graduate work. I pushed my skills in nursing areas that I thought would bring me full time work (ED, ICU, PACU) and I worked full time during that period by floating between them.

The new grads in our area are finding jobs with a little travel. I have heard of some of them getting quite good internships. A few of the grads are still working as CNAs. They should be in a position to get the jobs as they open up. I am hearing of other strategies like getting the certifications that one will need and really studying the potential employers. Some of these are working well. I'm sure there are other things that are working in the job search market.

All the best to our new grads! We need you.

[worldtraveler]

Many Good Points Made On the Shortage, contrived or real, already on this Thread. Here are a few additional thoughts to ponder that haven't been discussed concerning the Shortage:

1) I keep hearing there will be another "Great Nursing SHortage" when all the Boomers retire. Maybe or Maybe not. These Boomers will be unlike any other Retiree group as they will be a much healthier group and shorterm, will not be so much in need of Medical care relative to past Large Retiree groups( WW1 and WW2 Era Veterans). Due to past workplace laws for these WW1 & WW2 worker groups, these fellows worked in extremely dirty Workplace enviroments, drastically worse then Boomer Retirees working the same Jobs i.e. industrial painters, Foundry, Mining, welders, construction workers ect. New Workplace OSHA Laws keep the Workers much healthier in their Workplace. In the past, WW2 Era Plant workers labored in dirty air laden factories with smoke filled air, paint fumes laced with airborne heavy metal particles and carcinogens, Coaldust, fumes ect. These poor guys were already broken down physically by the time they received their first SS Check. For many, their next step was into the Nursing Home or local cemetary. Not so today, Boomer Retirees are much healthier and in much less need of extensive medical care, so less demand for Nursing care. I see them here in Florida, these Guys are "ready to Guy" running marathons, bicycling, swimming, walking daily ect. Healthier Retiree Population, Less demand for Nurses.

Here in Florida, Viagra flies off the Shelves.

2) Large Trend towards Home Based Healthcare--it will continue large scale as its been proven beyond a doubt(in most cases, not all) that its best(mentally, physically) for the Patient, that it is cheaper, to keep the patient in his/her home if at all possible. Again, less demand for Nurses.

3) As some have already mentioned, Medical Tourism to foreign countries. Don't believe the Naysayers on substandard medical care---care can be very good. I travel to Colombia(south america and security is greatly improved so no worry) for my Dental Work and get it at least 60% cheaper then here in Miami. I couldn't afford contributing to my former local Dentist's Annual New Mercedes Benz "Buy Now" Car program with $$ garnered from my sky high Bills. Now I can Drive that NEW MB from money saved on my dental bills if I chose to(I don't), not the Dentist. Hospitals in India are seeking JCOH Accredidation and some have it already. Hospitals in Mexico and South America are also seeking JCOH approval. BSNs (nurse jefes) work in many of these countries for under $500 monthly btw. More Patients going to foreign Hospitals, LESS Nursing Demand here.

4) Lastly--Nurses here in the US are a fragmented group meaning they really have no NATIONAL voice to speak for them and their better interests. Many like to complain amongst themselves in the Break Room or here on the AllNurse Website but that's as far as it goes. Anyone see that, a lack of a unified Voice, happening with Fireman(women) or Policemen/women in any major cities? NO and you won't as they have strong representation to protect their rights and working conditions . Recently here in Miami, the CEO(who earns a $600,000 salary) at Jackson Memorial Hospital(our large public hospital), due to a Huge Budget Shortfall, was going to layoff 4,500 Healthcare Workers in the 3 Hospitals that make up Jackson's System. GOOGLE Jackson Nurses in Miami if you doubt for second what I am telling you. This Budget Crisis is Ongoing at this very moment. A big reason for the Jackson Budget Shortfall is the Huge number of Un(and under)Insured patients in our local Miami area yet some people still don't want Healthcare Reform ? We have around 500,000 local residents who have no insurance and over 2,000,000 in florida total with NO insurance. And as the recession takes its toll, that number of uninsured grows daily so more patients will NOT be paying their Bill. Jackson is our only Public Health Hospital so all the Poor & Uninsured either come to Jackson or are dumped here by the area For Profit Hospitals as soon as they are stabilized for whatever ails them. The Jackson Nurses in Miami had a Strong Voice to interceed on their Behalf and guess what? Those 4,500 Layoffs have been postponed while other revenue soucres are searched out. Had they no Union Representation, it would have been Bye-Bye, Hasta La vista Nurses. BTW, the CEO, Ms Roldan at Jackson, said nothing about cutting her $600,000 Annual Salary yet she complained about Nurses wages as a way to cover the budget shortfall. :yeah:Nurses need to wake up, organize and have someone to speak up on their behalf or else they will continue down the Path they find thmselves on.

5) To refute what some other poster wrote, on the first page of this thread I believe, concerning Insurance. SHe/he made the claim that many in her town do not want to buy Healthcare insurance either because they don't want to spend the money or they simply want to pocket it and obtain healthcare on the cheap. I don't see that here in Miami; what I see is that Good Health Insurance is simply too expensive for many uninsured to purchase. I priced it myself here locally and as a healthy person in their 60s with no Pre-existing conditions, Blue Cross would cost me over $1100 a month. Who has that kind of money on minimum wage jobs, the only kind many over 50 who lost their jobs can find?

6) Cut out any more H1B Visas for Foreign Nurses; no problem finding local US talent as many here have already attested to that fact.

[momology]

Boomers do not have the pensions and medical coverage of the previous generation which was during a depressed birth rate 1929-1945. Employers actually started offering medical insurance to compete for them when there was a wage freeze. That's how that got started. Obviously no longer the case. So don't expect the Boomers to retire and spend on medical care. Most can't unless they married someone older or have inherited wealth.