A Nursing Shortage?

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With the economy in peril it seems that the nursing shortage may be turning into a nursing glut. Some of the local nurses that were looking to work part-time or retire are happy to grab every shift they can. Is the job market still out there in other geographic areas, or has it dried up nationally?

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Specializes in Psychiatric, Medical, Residential.

I have been out of work for about 6 months and have been a nurse for a little over 5 years (almost 6). I had to leave my last job due to my husbands illness (took a leave and no position when I tried to go back). I have not been able to find another job yet, so I really do not know how the shortage is. I do know there have been hiring freezes recently.

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I just checked my local children's hospital website and they're advertising lots of positions. I stopped counting at 30 RN positions. I found 10 more clinical nursing jobs and a bunch of administration ones for nurses at the baptist hospital too. evidently there's still a shortage here. we're too poor to notice recessions...

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Specializes in Psych , Peds ,Nicu.

I'm never sure if there is a shortage of nurses or a glut . In some facilities there is a shortage of staff maybe due to poor location , or poor reputation re care of patients or staff etc.. Yet in most facilities that have poor morale or are the only nursing employer in the araea, management tries to convince staff ,they are dime a dozen . So which it is ,is due to circumstances at that location

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Specializes in Psych, Med-Surg.

I agree. What is going on? I am in a specialty that is not for me, but am afraid to switch (if there even is a job to go to) because then I'd be "new" so vulnerable to layoffs. On this site travel RNs are reporting decreased work. Some people have said that posts don't = jobs. At my old hospital they are laying off RNs, and casual staff are fighting over shifts. So it seems that healthcare is becoming as vulnerable as other fields. It's ironic, because just a few months ago nursing was considered "recession-proof." But of course nothing is.

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Here in NJ, new grads are looking still after a year of graduation. Plenty of work being advertised, but only want experience???? How can we get experience if we cant work? And the schools just keep pumping them out. Very bad for new grads in Jersey.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.
i just checked my local children's hospital website and they're advertising lots of positions. i stopped counting at 30 rn positions. i found 10 more clinical nursing jobs and a bunch of administration ones for nurses at the baptist hospital too. evidently there's still a shortage here. we're too poor to notice recessions...

as someone else just wrote, positions do not equal jobs. my hospital has many positions posted on the website. not a single department is hiring right now! the jobs are posted to ensure that *if* a department head needs a rn, then hr will have applications to pull. that is all.... so there are many nurses waiting for a phone call that might not happen for a while. plus, for the first time in decades travelers at my hospital are not being extended or offered another contract. many have even lost hours because he/she was sent home or called off! apparently last year, they were getting overtime and offered 6 month extensions without exception. oh... and nursing schools are still churning us out. :D

-new grad nurse

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care, OB/GYN, Peds,.

Try relocating if possible, we are still hiring in SC. We have been through this so many times in the 42 years I have been a nurse. First there is a shortage then layoffs, and the cycle repeats itself. There will be so many of us retiring in the next 3-10 years that ther will be an extreme shortage again. Seriously, the rural areas need nurses and while it may not look appealing due to lack of entertainment, the fun is only 40-70 miles away. There is very little snow and not so bad temps here in the south. Our hospital hires new grads all the time, we have a mentoring program and etc. Good luck to all, if I could get Medicare now I would retire, then you could have my job.:coollook:

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Specializes in Psychiatric, Medical, Residential.
Try relocating if possible, we are still hiring in SC. We have been through this so many times in the 42 years I have been a nurse. First there is a shortage then layoffs, and the cycle repeats itself. There will be so many of us retiring in the next 3-10 years that ther will be an extreme shortage again. Seriously, the rural areas need nurses and while it may not look appealing due to lack of entertainment, the fun is only 40-70 miles away. There is very little snow and not so bad temps here in the south. Our hospital hires new grads all the time, we have a mentoring program and etc. Good luck to all, if I could get Medicare now I would retire, then you could have my job.:coollook:

What is the hospital in SC? I have been trying to go south for quite a while, I should say return south! Unfortunately, I may have to wait until next year when my oldest graduates from high school to do anything.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Come to Texas! In the Houston area, we are still in growth mode. Last week, Business Week magazine named Katy, Tx as one of the top 10 Boom Towns in the US and Money magazine reported that Houston is the only major metropolitan area that has not experienced a decline in house prices.

Hospitals in my organization are still hiring - including new grads. It is NOT - as one previous post claims - due to poor morale. We're expanding and need more great nurses!

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What is the name of your hospital in Houston?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I work for a large (faith based) hospital system. If you would like detailed information, please PM me.

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