There is no nursing shortage! This is and was a sales pitch!

[krazykev]

I am so very frustrated with trying to find a job. Even the VA hospital in Minneapolis MN has a hiring freeze on now. I have been applying everywhere and I all I receive is an email telling me that they are not hiring new grads at this time.

[dreamon]

You know what gets me. I am seeing on line article listing nursing as a job that offers security. Just saw one today, it featured a model with a stethescope around her neck. I guess I was supposed to think that model was a nurse.

I see those articles more than ever- especially on yahoo.com. It's like they run it every other month or so at least, writing about good paying careers that won't take years of school. They don't list the downsides, only the good stuff.

[cajrio]

I can just tell you about what is happening in and around Raleigh NC, Duke has a waiting list for several units, but is not actively hiring into the units, in my unit we did not hire a CNA who worked for us while in school :-(,

Rex is rethinking their strategies regarding hiring and putting in more red tape for new hires (the problem with this is that if you are hired you would also be first to go with layoffs)

in several units at duke people have been using their PTO d/t low census and o/t is non existent

wake med is taking application but the "word" is that they are not actively hiring into positions until Feb

Franklinton regional hosp. has put a freeze on hiring and is looking at possible lay offs,

So to answer the question is there a nursing shortage, NO especially in this area where we have many AA/BSN/Dipolma programs, with this economy hospital can pick and choose who they want to work

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Still need homecare nurses in Philly area!

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Hmmm - lots of strong opinions on this subject as usual.

Trouble is, the whole "shortage or not" is not dichotomous. It depends on too many variables to be a yes/no question. For instance, in Texas, we do have a shortage. . . always have, and probably always will. We simply do not have a big enough pipeline to supply all the nurses we need. As the economy worsens, a lot of 'appliance nurses' are returning to work, which lessens our vacancy rate a little but this won't last.

We're in tough economic times. Areas like mine with more diverse economies seem to be faring better so far, but I am sure it will hit us eventually. The biggest impact on healthcare in are due to: 1) disastrous changes in reimbursement; 2) tighter $ - higher interest rates for money my org has to borrow along with lower interest for our investments; and 3) ripple effects -- people cancelling elective surgery, more uninsured, etc.

I agree, it is cyclical and we will eventually come out on the other side. It is a worldwide phenomenon. We just need to hunker down and make smart decisions. My heart goes out to nurses who have been harder hit. But I doubt whether they would want to relocate to areas with better job outlooks.

BTW - the poster who said 50% of nurses are foreign trained?????? Where did that come from? Is that related to a specific area? Cause, it is soooo not valid on a national level.