where are the nursing shortages?

JULES1 · Apr 4, 2005

Hi RN34TX,

I know where you're coming from because I've been there.I hear your frustration and

disallusion with this profession. I too am back in school for my BSN. I told my husband

today,if I make it through this class, it would be GODs' will that I pursue my Masters.

I have been an ADN for 15 years,with experience in almost every area, including telemetry(but I could'nt get an ICU position),a new RN grad was hired instead;But I'm

O.K. with that now.They have had so many staffing problems since then,you would'nt

believe it.Some things you pray about and go on, He knew what I needed,and that

was'nt it.But as I was saying, I'm back in school now, not that I did'nt want to go, but

I had to go.A new policy indicated that it was going to be more difficult for ADNs to get steps and raises/ Federal Gov't employees.For reasons unknown to most of us,

ADNs are not considered ?professionals,regardless of your experience or expertise.I accepted the salary I was offer when I was hired(very much below what I was making in Michigan)only because we had just moved and most of our family is here.Therefore,

I settled. I'm back in school for my BSN(maybe my MSN),because I never again want

it said that "I'm not qualified for a position, because I don't have a particular degree".

Experience didn't count, only the letters behind my name.So,when I say I know where

you're coming from,believe it.We're on the right track now.Good Luck!!!!

JULES1

rach_nc_03 · Apr 27, 2005

Actually, if a unit hires 20-30 new grads each year, they must have about 300 nurses on this unit by now huh??? As for the nursing shortgae in NC, I WORK as a nurse now...not an NA, there is a nursing shortage in this state, our unit is short staffed almost every night as is most of our hospital...a magnet hospital!

No, they lose some each year- grad school, attrition, evaporation. The units I mentioned did, indeed, hire 20-30 new grads last year, and both had plans, which I asked in december/january, to hire similar numbers this year. In fact, the ICN has 150+ nurses on staff.

I'm not sure why working as an NA vs. nurse has any bearing on what I say regarding staffing levels. am i not able to count?

j0hnson4 · Dec 30, 2005

Louisiana...especially Nursing Homes

Undecided7 · Dec 30, 2005

Does anyone think maybe the hospitals would rather higher a foreign nurse than an experienced American? In my observations, they will work for less pay, usually don't complain about or challenge management, and don't tend to unionize. They also work, work, work- like worker bees. Of course this is just a generalization- I'm sure there are plenty of exceptions and maybe I'm wrong altogether? The ones I know will gladly work 4-6 days a week (12 hour shifts)- most even have 2 jobs.

Also, it's cheaper to higher a new grad than an experienced nurse. The hospitals don't care how much knowlege and such that you have- a nurse counts as a nurse and one is a lot cheaper. Of course the new and older nurses are still expected to perform at the standard of care and if something goes wrong- they just blame it on the nurse.

Nanwinning · Dec 30, 2005

Rio Grande Valley, Texas

been there · Dec 31, 2005

I am hearing that there are shortages in some areas while some are cutting back jobs.
Can anyone tell me for sure where thet know there are nursing shortages in the U.S or Canada.
Thanks

Certainly not Baton Rouge. After Katrina and Rita a couple of us RNs answered the call for RNs at two local hospitals. Both stated they were accepting only "displaced RNs" (those from the New Orleans area displaced by the hurricanes). Two or three weeks later we learned both had shipped nurses in from their sister hospitals from other states. A lot of displaced nurses are still displaced and the locals are sitting on their thumbs. Charity in New Orleans is closing and is currently laying off hundreds of nurses.

fergus51 · Dec 31, 2005

Does anyone think maybe the hospitals would rather higher a foreign nurse than an experienced American? In my observations, they will work for less pay, usually don't complain about or challenge management, and don't tend to unionize. They also work, work, work- like worker bees. Of course this is just a generalization- I'm sure there are plenty of exceptions and maybe I'm wrong altogether? The ones I know will gladly work 4-6 days a week (12 hour shifts)- most even have 2 jobs.
.

I don't see that at all. My American born coworkers work just as much OT and tolerate just as much bs as foreign born coworkers if not more.

lannisz · Dec 31, 2005

southern Oregon and Portland Oregon

mstigerlily · Dec 31, 2005

Surprised to read posts from Southern California. I graduated from an ADN program Dec 2004 and we were aggressively recruited while in school. Most of us had jobs before we took finals, many of us our first choice jobs. I applied at two facilities, four different units (so six interviews) and was offered jobs at four of them. I am very happy where I am. I got calls/emails from hospitals as long as six months after graduation asking if I was still interested in a job there. Maybe things are different in So. Cal for experienced nurses but new grads can find plenty of jobs.

As for 12 hr shifts that is one of the reasons I WENT INTO nursing. More time with my family? Absolutely. I HATED getting up at 5am five days a week and sitting in traffic for an hour and doing it all over again at 5pm. Get home, it's dark do the dinner/bath/storytime rush and fall exhausted into bed. Now I have four days off a week and the 12 hr nights I work leave me home during the day when they are sleeping and able to see kids after school, eat dinner with them before I go to work. My three kids barely notice I'm gone. I love the 3 12 hr night shifts. I still have plenty of time to shop/play during the day, take vacations without using vacation time, get plenty of weekends and holidays off (if I want them) plus I have time to take online classes. On my salary alone I support a family of five (husband stays home/is a student) AND I pay for my tuition getting my BSN online (and I got A's in all classes I've taken so far). If I wanted to work a traditional 5 day a week schedule there are plenty of nursing jobs out there you can do this, you just have to look.

I am very happy with nursing so far. I've had a lot of other jobs and they've all got their good and bad points.

I am hearing that there are shortages in some areas while some are cutting back jobs.
Can anyone tell me for sure where thet know there are nursing shortages in the U.S or Canada.
Thanks

Wulfy · Dec 31, 2005

Calif! Signing bonuses and retention too

:balloons:

sasparilla · Dec 31, 2005

I'm in the Texas panhandle and work as a unit secretary while going to school for my RN. There are always jobs advertised in the paper, though I can't tell you if they actually hire much. I do see that in our ICU, most of it is composed of recent grads, so the experience level there is low. Still, it's a great place to work and new nurses are supported. I can attest to how hard some of the Filipino nurses work. I know several who work 12-hour shifts EVERY day of the week, between the two major hospitals in our town. They basically have no life so that they can send all their money to their children back home. They are extremely good nurses, very caring and attentive to their patients. I admire their dedication and sacrifice and I don't think that there are very many people who could do the same. I know I couldn't. Maybe some of them put up with crap, but not all. I've seen one in particular who I admire very respectfully ask why one Dr. was being such a butt to her. He ended up apologizing because he knew he was in the wrong.

I hope to move from here when I finish in 1 1/2 more years, so hearing about where the good hospitals to work are is very helpful to me. Thanks for that.

homenurse12 · Dec 31, 2005

No shortage in NE/ IA