"Nursing Shortage"

[happyinmyheart]

I know that this topic has been discussed time and time again.... But WHY does the news media continue to insist there is a nursing shortage? One of my prerequisites is Public Health. In the book, half of a chapter is dedicated to the "nursing shortage" and how the job opportunities are plentiful. I really don't understand how everyone is so mislead. Please help me understand

[Rocktheman]

And just wait until that family starts wondering what the heck is wrong with you when you tell them you can't find a job! Because, as we know, hospitals are DESPERATE to hire new grads...

Yes haha! Granted nurse's will have an easier time then most other when looking for a job, but some people think they are literally hiring on the spot. It is so annoying. Something you heard 7 years ago is not applicable now.

[rubato, ASN, RN]

The media is 100% profit driven. Do not begin to think that the news you see is in your best interest. Just look at the Ebola "crisis" that is going on right now. 3 cases in 316,000,000 people and the media has people running scared. Nursing schools are cropping up all over the country in order to make money. How do they get people to come pay their crazy tuitions? Advertise. Get the media involved.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

There are shortages in some parts of the country. Also, the projections usually center around baby boomers who retire soon.

I think it is a lot like the medical errors number of 96,000/year. What the actual study said was a much lower number, but if you extrapolated that number to ALL hospitals, then it COULD be close to 100,000 a year. But again, manybe not. It comes down to what the numbers mean to you. If no shortage in your area and you want a job - look elsewhere

[ready2baRN]

If you go on the Bureau of Labor and Statistics you will see the projected job growth for nurses which is about 19% from now and 2022. There were about 2,711,500 jobs in 2012. An estimated 529,000 jobs projected to be added by 2012.

Registered Nurses : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Im sure if you go on indeed and search for Registered Nurse a plentiful amount of jobs will populate. Whether the individual meets the qualifications for those jobs is another story. Many new nurses are finding it hard to land a job because they don't meet the required experience. You don't hear many seasoned nurses complaining about job shortages or not being able to find employment.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

You don't hear many seasoned nurses complaining about job shortages or not being able to find employment.

This is not entirely true. If you have ever visited our general forums or the Nursing Job Search Assistance forum, a significant number of seasoned nurses have encountered difficulties finding employment.

Projections, statistics and predictions from the Bureau of Labor Statistics have been inaccurate in the past, so it is optimal if one does not place full confidence in them.