So where IS the nursing shortage?

andrea3434 · Oct 30, 2016

I live in MN and both MN and ND are hiring RNs as hospital floor nurses all of the time. Schools are great.

I know people who graduated from Rasmussen with their RN (not BSN) and were offered $32/hr to start as floor nurses.

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 30, 2016

I think rural nursing is experiencing shortage; it always seems to have. If you are willing to move to a place like Kentucky, ND, SD, (as mentioned in the other thread) or other rural area, likely you will find a job. The shortages often exist, however, where pay and compensation are not huge. But then again, the cost of living in such places is also very low.

The schools in such places are often good, but I guess how you define "good" can be different than others may. What is a "good" school in your definition?

chare · Oct 30, 2016

There was recently a post wondering if there is a nursing shortage, and I think the general consensus was that there is, but only in certain pockets of the country. The only place I could tell was specifically mentioned was Kentucky.
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Have you looked on some of the job search sites (indeed.com, monster.com)? As postings on these sites typically tell you how long they have been active, and allow you to link to all postings by that facility, you might be able to find areas where there is still an active nursing shortage.

I agree with previous posters that finding a position paying a new grad $50,000 is likely going to be in a high cost of living area.

Wishing you the best in your job search and possible relocation.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Oct 30, 2016

You are leaving a 6 figure salary???

The midwest is where you will find a shortage. Not just rural areas either. But you won't start at $50k around here. My area has some great public schools. I'm in a very good school district, but as a new grad, I make just slightly under $50k as my base. With my differentials and OT, I can make close to $60k.

But, I don't count on that money. I count my base when making my budget. But the cost of living is quite low here as well.

milliesmom88 · Oct 31, 2016

You are leaving a 6 figure salary???
The midwest is where you will find a shortage. Not just rural areas either. But you won't start at $50k around here. My area has some great public schools. I'm in a very good school district, but as a new grad, I make just slightly under $50k as my base. With my differentials and OT, I can make close to $60k.
But, I don't count on that money. I count my base when making my budget. But the cost of living is quite low here as well.

Yes leaving a 6 figure in a career I don't care for, where I work a lot of 65+ hours weeks, on call every minute of the day (literally get phone calls from 7am to 2am) and in which 50% of my pay is at risk. With new government policies that 50% is likely to decrease sometime in the next 10 years, and who knows what would happen after that.

Leaving that to spend more time with my family (there are days I literally don't even get to see my 1 year old daughter) for a career that I'm passionate about with less money makes sense to me.

Do you mind sharing what city you are in? We are trying to do some research and specific cities definitely help. 50k is not a line in the sand; if we love the city and the going rate is 45 and we can live off of that due to COL, we are flexible.

DawnJ · Oct 31, 2016

New Mexico. Although you have to pick your public schools carefully

Sour Lemon · Oct 31, 2016

Working conditions should factor in, too. In some areas, it may be very easy to find work ...but it may be because you get ten patients in acute care instead of five.

brillohead, ADN, RN · Oct 31, 2016

SW Michigan, about halfway between Chicago and Detroit. Starting pay is around $30 for night shift. Health insurance for the family is about $60/week at my organization. You can purchase a decent (not fancy) house in a safe neighborhood for $100K-120K. My son's high school offers tons of AP courses and also an IB (International Baccalaureate) diploma option.

pluckyduck, MSN, NP · Nov 2, 2016

SW Michigan, about halfway between Chicago and Detroit. Starting pay is around $30 for night shift. Health insurance for the family is about $60/week at my organization. You can purchase a decent (not fancy) house in a safe neighborhood for $100K-120K. My son's high school offers tons of AP courses and also an IB (International Baccalaureate) diploma option.

Southeastern Michigan as well. In Detroit where many of the major medical center main hospitals are located, there are great suburbs within a 30-60 min drive away. My commute is about 40 minutes and the cost of living is reasonable. For nights, starting pay is around $30/HR plus shift differential and weekend bonuses as well as critical pay (currently). This area is home to many large hospital systems with campuses located in and outside of Detroit so depending on where you live you could potentially work for a system you like at one of their satellite campuses.

allnurses Guide · Nov 2, 2016

Along the Texas/Mexico border.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Nov 2, 2016

HERE ya go.... It's a HRSA report on Nursing Workforce Projections through 2025. Very interesting data that reveals a projected surplus in all states except Arizona, Colorado & North Carolina by 2025. Very informative. Of course, there are pockets of inadequate supply in most states - mostly rural areas and some fast-growing metro areas.

Most states also have also conducted their own labor analysis. You may have to dig for it, but I've found them tucked into areas for Public Health, Workforce and Higher Education departments. It's always best to rely on data rather than opinion.