Auto Workers Shift into Nursing - Page 5

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  1. Mar 30, '09 by
    I do feel, though, that the media keepa harping about the supposed nursing shortage, when many of us feel that there is no shortage, and new grads as well as experienced nurses are having trouble finding jobs.

    I hope that autoworkers will not be once again disappointed- in that they may believe all the media hype and think that all you have to do is become a licensed nurse and employers will be knocking on your door.
    rabbitgirrl, lindarn, and Jo Dirt like this.
  2. Mar 30, '09 by
    Just bc there is no shortage where you live doesnt mean there is no shortage! What is the average age of a nurse? I think its 45... I dont know about you but I want someone there to take care of me when Im old!!
    lindarn likes this.
  3. Mar 30, '09 by
    Quote from DNPstudent-Michigan
    seriously? So not only are all auto workers stupid, and lack the ability to care, but now they are criminals?!?! Give me a break! I think some of you need a lesson on compassion yourselves, not to mention how to not be judgemental! I can't even believe some of the posts I am reading... I am actually embarrased by the ignorance!
    I think you are being overly sensitive. My point was only that not everyone interested in being a second career nurse, coming from whatever industry, is going to be able to achieve that goal because of any number of reasons. It just ain't all that easy. So nurses who are currently working do not have to fear a mass influx of out of work auto workers. The ones who have the ability and the ambition to made it to licensure will do so. And that will be a minority. And those with a criminal history will be weeded out, so we don't have to be afraid a bunch of mercenary and dangerous nurses will be let loose on the public.

    Jeez. I'm on your side. I'd actually LOVE to have a bunch of previously unionized workers come into nursing. Maybe that way conditions will improve because they won't put up with what currently goes on.

    But the attitude of "let's retrain all these auto workers to be nurses" is naive and, frankly, insulting. As insulting as, "let's retrain all the hair dressers or waitresses or poultry workers or steel workers or truck drivers or real estate brokers or mortgage brokers or derivatives traders or AIG executives..." The truth is not EVERYONE can or should be a nurse.
    Last edit by firstyearstudent on Mar 31, '09
    SharonH, RN, lindarn, and Valerie Salva like this.
  4. Mar 31, '09 by
    Quote from DNPstudent-Michigan
    Just bc there is no shortage where you live doesnt mean there is no shortage! What is the average age of a nurse? I think its 45... I dont know about you but I want someone there to take care of me when Im old!!

    The average age of a nurse in the US is 47- and it's not just where I live that there is no shortage. Read these boards-

    There are many "I can't find a job" posts.
    rabbitgirrl and lindarn like this.
  5. Mar 31, '09 by
    Quote from firstyearstudent
    I think you are being overly sensitive. My point was only that not everyone interested in being a second career nurse, coming from whatever industry, is going to be able to achieve that goal because of any number of reasons. It just ain't all that easy. So nurses who are currently working do not have to fear a mass influx of out of work auto workers. The ones who have the ability and the ambition to made it to licensure will do so. And that will be a minority. And those with a criminal history will be weeded out, so we don't have to be afraid a bunch of mercenary and dangerous nurses will be let loose on the public.

    Jeez. I'm on your side. I'd actually LOVE to have a bunch of previously unionized workers come into nursing. Maybe that way conditions will improve because they won't put up with what currently goes on.

    But the attitude of "let's retrain all these auto workers to be nurses" is naive and, frankly, insulting. As insulting as, "let's retrain all the hair dressers or waitresses or poultry workers or steel workers or truck drivers or real estate brokers or mortgage brokers or derivatives traders or AIG executives..." The truth is not EVERYONE can or should be a nurse.
    Excellent post.
    rabbitgirrl and lindarn like this.
  6. Mar 31, '09 by
    As far as shortages go, I think there is a shortage, BUT, hospitals are not hiring! The economy sucks, and health care is no doubt being affected. We are short on a daily basis, and being begged to put in overtime. I work at a very busy, very large urban hospital, and a smaller suburban hospital. OR and ICU... We are even being offered bonuses to work over. The suburban hospital has a hiring freeze (OR) the Urban ICU just hired 8 new grads... Hey, I don't want an oversaturated field either...I like my job security! I have read the posts, and I haven't heard any one say there is a shortage in their area other than me, so maybe I'm crazy...
    rabbitgirrl and lindarn like this.
  7. Apr 6, '09 by
    Quote from DNPstudent-Michigan
    As far as shortages go, I think there is a shortage, BUT, hospitals are not hiring! The economy sucks, and health care is no doubt being affected. We are short on a daily basis, and being begged to put in overtime. I work at a very busy, very large urban hospital, and a smaller suburban hospital. OR and ICU... We are even being offered bonuses to work over. The suburban hospital has a hiring freeze (OR) the Urban ICU just hired 8 new grads... Hey, I don't want an oversaturated field either...I like my job security! I have read the posts, and I haven't heard any one say there is a shortage in their area other than me, so maybe I'm crazy...
    What you are describing is not a shortage of nurses- it's purposeful short staffing by mgmt.
    rabbitgirrl and lindarn like this.
  8. Apr 9, '09 by
    I am probably not saying anything new here in this post, but if you can get through nursing school, and pass the test to become one, I can't see why it matters if you came from a janitor, autoworker or a nuclear physicists position.

    If the work appeals to you, and you are qualified, why the heck not? Because it is destroying the historical job security of current nurses? Ladies and gents, everyone is getting turned on their ears here in this economy. Getting all huffy because some people from other perceived "lower" industries are interested in our profession smacks of intellectual snobbery. I find some of the comments here disturbing on many different levels.
    rabbitgirrl, AnnieNHRN, and DNPstudent like this.
  9. Apr 9, '09 by
    Quote from woknblues
    I am probably not saying anything new here in this post, but if you can get through nursing school, and pass the test to become one, I can't see why it matters if you came from a janitor, autoworker or a nuclear physicists position.

    If the work appeals to you, and you are qualified, why the heck not? Because it is destroying the historical job security of current nurses? Ladies and gents, everyone is getting turned on their ears here in this economy. Getting all huffy because some people from other perceived "lower" industries are interested in our profession smacks of intellectual snobbery. I find some of the comments here disturbing on many different levels.
    Very well said!