Will there ever be a surplus of nursing jobs again?! - Page 3

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  1. Dec 2, '11 by
    Quote from lindarn
    If the nation went to mandatory staffing ratios it would be alot different than it is now. The hospital would HAVE TO HIRE MORE NURSES TO FULFILL THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE STAFFING RATIOS!! The country would need more nurses. Period.

    JMHO and my NY $0.02.
    Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN
    Somewhere in the PACNW
    Darn good point!
    I used to be sceptical of ratios until I had the chance to work in California. It didn't make much difference in the ICU but when floated to med-surg it sure did. Here in Wisconsin I expect up to 8 on med-surg and these people are sick. NTG gtts, lasix gtts, patients who are total care are common. Not safe.
    lindarn and gaylarn4 like this.
  2. Dec 2, '11 by
    This shows the # test takers and the percentage of them who pass the first try.
    California NCLEX pass rates:
    http://www.rn.ca.gov/schools/passrates.shtml

    LVN test takers
    http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/pdf/vn_pass_rates_2007_2011.pdf

    This article attempts to convey the retirement situation of older RNs. However, retirement will likely be pushed back d/t the economy (diminished 401ks, cut pensions, unemployed spouse, etc).

    http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relat...rsing-shortage


    New Grad RN turnover taken into consideration:
    http://www.healthws.com/perspectives2/index.html

    A more in-depth article on turnover published before the recession:
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2440489/

    With the economy the way it is now, and with jobs not being abundant in other fields, I wonder what the new grad RN turnover rate has been over the last 3 years.

    New Grad RNs can only hope that as the economy improves, older nurses will leave their jobs for whatever reason (retirement, going PRN, etc.), and staffing ratios improve.

    Hopefully medicare isn't cut anymore either, but with politics being the way they are now..who knows? Regardless of your political party, you can thank the Republicans for wanting more Medicare cuts in addition to the already agreed pre-obamacare cuts, not Obamacare. Not saying I'm for Obamacare, but just food for thought.

    http://www.examiner.com/political-sp...ocial-security

    http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickunga...nior-citizens/
    Last edit by ProgressiveThinking on Dec 2, '11
    lindarn, whichone'spink, and Kaligirl02 like this.
  3. Dec 2, '11 by
    Quote from xtxrn
    I worked in the Hill Country- they were always looking for nurses.... GREAT place to work
    Quote from xtxrn
    Rural hospitals hurt the entire 17 years I lived there.


    And not just in the Hill Country. We had an opening for a night LVN for over 4 months. We are finally getting a new grad from a nearby CC class that graduates next week.

    All occupations have up and down cycles unless they are jobs that are becoming extinct, like a typewriter repairman or long distance operator.
  4. Dec 2, '11 by
    Schools can make entry to nursing school even harder..well some have by requiring more Chemistry (Organic chem)..
    lindarn, whichone'spink, Kaligirl02, and 1 other like this.
  5. Dec 2, '11 by
    Quote from PMFB-RN
    The false nursing shortage propaganda is self seving and put out by those who stand to gain financialy from a glut of nurses on the market. It is a cynical scheme to make money at the expence of bright people who wish to enter a field with stabiliety.
    Many of us (those of us who have been nurses for a while now) could feel the difference the moment (for my hospital that was early 2010) there where more nurses applying for each opening. Administration's threatment of nurses went from respectful and decent to "it's my way or the hiway". We went from being difficult to replace assets to nothing more than easily replaceable labor and an expence for the hospital to be cut any way possible. It was like walking into a freezer, I mean you could really feel the difference. All raises were frozen, health and other insurance premiums increased, effectivly cutting our wages, silly and stupid ideas from managment (scripting, Magnet etc) that previously were impossible to get nurses to go along with were now "you will do it or you can find some other place to work". The wage cuts for nurses, and forcing nurses to care for unsafe number of patients have made the hospitals lots of money. It is in their interest to create a glut of nurses. Along with the for profit "RN mills" and the public schools who have seen their funding and importance in the college or university grow. These people make money off the hopes and dreams of nurse wannbes and they make money by endangering patient safety.
    I was very lucky in that I was able to find a great job at a great non-Magnet hospital where we have a union that prevents managment from abusing us. I still work at the big Magnet hospital I described above on a part time basis, but I am happy my living does not depend on them.
    This is not unique to nurses right now- this is happening across the board with non-executive professional and paraprofessional jobs. Wage freezes, hiring freezes, insurance and benefit reductions, 'my way or the highway' management-- that's happening everywhere from the bottom of the barrel jobs to engineers and everything in between. It's the corporate, keep the money at the very top to benefit the executives and shareholders culture we live in today. There are 10 people standing in job willing to fill in for less money, less benefits and less respect. Shortsighted businesses are using this to their advantage.

    If you ask me, the workforce has taken a huge step backwards in the past decade.. the fear of losing ones job is so real that employers are getting away with treating employees as subhuman- unworthy of respect. It's disgusting that it has come to this.
    Hoozdo, GrnTea, lindarn, and 5 others like this.
  6. Asst. Admin
    Dec 2, '11 by
    Quote from joanna73
    How would anyone make the payment?? And I've read the horror stories. I thought paying 40,000 for my 4 year BSN was enough. There is something wrong there. Canadians pay on average 45 to 65 000 for a 4 year program at any school in the country. We have great schools.

    100 000 is obscene. What in the world are they paying for?
    One of those accelerated BSN courses....
    lindarn and joanna73 like this.
  7. Dec 2, '11 by
    Quote from Esme12
    One of those accelerated BSN courses....
    "Accelerated"? For that kind of money they should be using Warp Drive.
    lindarn, DutchRN09, Kaligirl02, and 1 other like this.
  8. Dec 2, '11 by
    I actually almost attended a BSN program at a local private university that costs 70k for tuition. I ended up getting into a CC LVN program that costed me 1500 plus books. Then, I almost attended the previouisly mentioned 120k RN mill out of sheer desperation since they accept you right away with no questions asked.

    Luckily, I was accepted into the LVN- ADN RN bridge at the same CC I completed my LVN at. It cost me exactly $755 for my tuition in total. I got my books and uniform from a friend who previously finished the program for 50 bucks. Glad I didn't go to the RN mill because I just found out that my current employer doesn't hire anyone from the school, not even internal applicants.

    Do I wish I had my BSN right away? Sure. Was my current path financially feasible? Very much so. Do I think my ADN was still the financially smarter option given the shift toward BSN preference for new grads based on my situation? Yes. Half of the ADN grads from last semester got jobs in hospitals. I already have a RN home health job lined up. I didn't quit my current hospital job, so I'll be an internal applicant which increases my chances of being hired as a RN. I was accepted into an online RN-BSN program, and between my current job and the HH job i'll be able to pay out of pocket without taking loans out (no kids).

    I was able to work full-time throughout school, and pulled in 50k this year. I was able to help a struggling classmate out who has children and was in huge financial trouble (Maybe one day she'll be in admin and will be able to repay the favor-who knows?). Beats having to take loans out for living expenses.

    Who knows.. Maybe I'll have to start in LTC because of my ADN status. Oh well, beats paying back 75k in loans. I'll finish my BSN paid for out of pocket and use my experience to get into a hospital. I've seen it done.

    BSN is not always > ADN. Especially with a 120k price tag on it.

    $755 for ADN + 8,000 for BSN > $120,000 BSN or $75,000 BSN.
    lindarn and Kaligirl02 like this.
  9. Dec 2, '11 by
    I do feel for the people who attend expensive private schools though. They're just trying to make a decent living and provide for their family. It's just sad that it has to be done at such a high price. These schools feed on desperation, and are taking advantage of people during tough times. Based on financial return of investment, 120k is worth it for med school, not nursing school. Even if a 6 figure salary is possible in so. cali when you're motivated enough. Oh well, I've gone off topic haha..
    Last edit by ProgressiveThinking on Dec 2, '11
    Not_A_Hat_Person and lindarn like this.
  10. Admin
    Dec 2, '11 by
    Our PA state universities costs $!5,000/yr just for tuition...add in onsite housing, meals and book
    @ $12,000/yr, 4year BSN = $120,000 easily.
    lindarn likes this.