Everyone seems to be turning to nursing. I remember way back when (5 years ago) when nursing was a calling. There were still other jobs a person could do and make a living--like heating and air conditioning. Now nursing is a lifeboat--a recesion-proof job that anyone and everyone is considering.
I see post after post in here of people who have no experience, no particular desire, and no particular aptitude for nursing inquiring about nursing as a job. They need something to pay the bills. I just went to a restaurant tonight, and two of our waiters are starting nursing school.
Let's face it, with the coming depression, nursing wages are attractive. So here's a prediction, please tell me if you agree or disagree:
Nursing boards will start requiring a 4-year degree to sit for the NCLEX.
The Nursing shortage is going to end in about 3 years; in five there will be a glut of nurses and getting a job will be about like getting a job as an NP is now.
Travel agencies will cease to exist and agency nursing will go the way of the way of the dinosaur.
Without unions, hospitals will force nurses to take about 14 patients a shift and will simply fire those who won't do it.
:twocents:what i am seeing is; that the major part of the nursing work force is older baby boomer,and folks close to retiring. when those retire and they make up over half of the work force then there will not be a nurse job shortage qt all. As far as being economy proof,when things get bad enuff, no one is safe. Nurses get 14 patients in a nursing home seting now.Hospitals arent quite as bad,but i have seen 7 to a nurse all time.Not totle care all time but still alotta patients for one nurse.When we look at the young entering the work force vs the older nurses fixing to exit,it all works out that the nurse job ratio is gonna be good for along time as long as the economy doesnt take hold.
You make interesting points, valerie. I have read that the filipino's are flocking to nsg schools and that their only intentions are to work abroad. However, the international demand for them has slowed recently, and the U.S. wants them to have more experience than they used to. So now in order to gain that experience, they have to PAY to work at the hospitals in the phillipines. And there have been posts here on allnurses by discouraged filipino nurses who can't find jobs.
You have great ratios where you live! I've never had less than 28 pts in LTC on days, and 60 on nocs. I've had up to 13 in med/surg- which is why I no longer work med surg.
You make interesting points, valerie. I have read that the filipino's are flocking to nsg schools and that their only intentions are to work abroad. However, the international demand for them has slowed recently, and the U.S. wants them to have more experience than they used to. So now in order to gain that experience, they have to PAY to work at the hospitals in the phillipines. And there have been posts here on allnurses by discouraged filipino nurses who can't find jobs.
Yes, nursing students here and abroad are lead to believe that being a nurse in the US is equivalent to living in the land of milk and honey.
I wanted to give documentation to back up my opinion. I have never been known for doing what is "easier", lol.
What is your opinion?
It's not as bad as all that. Things will be tough for a time then get better. I hope we close ranks and do not compromise. Patient care is what is most important. Running away or deciding that I should do less because I need this job is not enough. If we do not lose ground now, when things turn in our favor again, we will be in a stronger position to provide better care. As with most opinions, it's worth the electrons upon which it is written.
The nursing shortage in New England seems to be fading as the recession grows. Many hospitals have closed wings and Telemedicine companies have or are laying off hundreds of nurses. It definitely effects the bargaining power but one advantage is that we will not be forced to keep a "warm body" because we will have choices in who stays employed.
GoLytely, I live just down the road (so to speak) from TTC-Livingston. You are so right that students are getting into the program who would not have gotten in ten years ago. I graduated from that program back in the 1980's, and back then, it was hard to get in, and the program was tough! It seems that nursing programs overall have become easier to get through. Unfortunately, I fear this is the general trend in nursing education, and I don't believe this trend is good for any of us, most especially the student's who are getting shortchanged in these programs. I recently heard that the pass rate for NCLEX-RN is about 85%. Does that mean that 15% of the students are not being adequately prepared to enter the profession? That is a pretty high precentage of students not being prepared, and that is very scary to me.
When I see people talking about how much harder nursing school was "back in the day", I find myself wondering how they know. Have they attended a nursing school since they graduated 20+ years ago? The schools today, like schools in the past , meet the state/national standards, what ever those standards are. I dont see any indication that standards have been lowered in california. If anything they seem to be more stringant(spelling?). At no time in the past was the pass rate for NCLEX 100%. From what I can tell in the limited research I have done on the subject, it hasnt varied alot over the years. If only 85% of the students pass , in my mind, it means the final barrier to that 15% that are not ready to be nurses(yet) is the NCLEX. Those that fail it the first get a chance to study and improve their knowledge base or test taking skills. So maybe the state is doing it's job.
When I see people talking about how much harder nursing school was "back in the day", I find myself wondering how they know. Have they attended a nursing school since they graduated 20+ years ago? The schools today, like schools in the past , meet the state/national standards, what ever those standards are. I dont see any indication that standards have been lowered in california. If anything they seem to be more stringant(spelling?). At no time in the past was the pass rate for NCLEX 100%. From what I can tell in the limited research I have done on the subject, it hasnt varied alot over the years. If only 85% of the students pass , in my mind, it means the final barrier to that 15% that are not ready to be nurses(yet) is the NCLEX. Those that fail it the first get a chance to study and improve their knowledge base or test taking skills. So maybe the state is doing it's job.
Yes. Many of us have. Many of us started as LPNs and went back years later to become RNs, or started as ADN or Diploma RNs and later went for BSNs.
I have a relative who has taught nursing school for over 29 years. She frequently tells me that schools are under increasing pressure to lower standards, and that she is very dishearted at the caliber of some of the people who are allowed in the programs now.
There are also an abundence of new "quickie" nursing programs.
Additionally, it used to be, you had three chances to pass the NCLEX, and if you didn't, you had to repeat your nursing program, or give up on nursing. Now, test-takers can fail mutiple times, with seemingly no limit.
When I see people talking about how much harder nursing school was "back in the day", I find myself wondering how they know. Have they attended a nursing school since they graduated 20+ years ago? The schools today, like schools in the past , meet the state/national standards, what ever those standards are. I dont see any indication that standards have been lowered in california. If anything they seem to be more stringant(spelling?). At no time in the past was the pass rate for NCLEX 100%. From what I can tell in the limited research I have done on the subject, it hasnt varied alot over the years. If only 85% of the students pass , in my mind, it means the final barrier to that 15% that are not ready to be nurses(yet) is the NCLEX. Those that fail it the first get a chance to study and improve their knowledge base or test taking skills. So maybe the state is doing it's job.
I went back and have experienced both the past and relatively recent present. You are right, not much difference now as then. It's still true, those who can do, those who can't teach. Those who can't teach, manage. Those who can't manage, join survey teams.
I think that nurses will always have jobs and here's why:
During recession, lots of people go to school to learn stable, well-paying professions. Most of these people will realize that they don't have what it takes to get through the nursing program. It is very tough.
As for the ones who do make it through, about a month of dealing poop and vomit will elimate them from the profession. They may stay until the recession ends, but then they will go back to working as stock brokers and realtors, where they will forever appreciate their un-gross careers.
Let's face it: Nurses deal with gross conditions, crappy treatment by patients and managers, and round-the-clock shifts. Not everyone is cut out for that. I'm not saying other people don't have hard careers, but nursing takes a certain type of person.
wyotech
68 Posts
:twocents:what i am seeing is; that the major part of the nursing work force is older baby boomer,and folks close to retiring. when those retire and they make up over half of the work force then there will not be a nurse job shortage qt all. As far as being economy proof,when things get bad enuff, no one is safe. Nurses get 14 patients in a nursing home seting now.Hospitals arent quite as bad,but i have seen 7 to a nurse all time.Not totle care all time but still alotta patients for one nurse.When we look at the young entering the work force vs the older nurses fixing to exit,it all works out that the nurse job ratio is gonna be good for along time as long as the economy doesnt take hold.