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.
I've been telling colleages for ten years or more that I do not think there is a nursing shortage.
The same nurses who used to tell me I was crazy for saying that are now complaining that they can't find jobs, shifts getting cancelled, no agency work and so on.
I find that some hospitals put ads in the paper and send out recruitment fliers, then when they are contacted they say "We are fully staffed." This has happened to me more than once.
I think a lot of facilities do this in order to show the gov't that they are making an effort to hire locally, but can't. Then they get the green-light to recruit overseas.
I've been telling colleages for ten years or more that I do not think there is a nursing shortage.
The same nurses who used to tell me I was crazy for saying that are now complaining that they can't find jobs, shifts getting cancelled, no agency work and so on.
Exactly, that's the first thing I noticed in my area: an increase in shift cancellations and a drying up of the temp agency shifts. I also applied at a hospital I had applied at before and got hired, but this time, they chose not to interview me because they decided not to fill that position. That was unusual. Fortunate, in that I got a much better job, but unusual nontheless.
I would like to add my 2 cents here. I am not a nurse on a student and not into my nursing program yet... but nonetheless I have noticed on here the talk of many people saying 'well where I work there are 10 million nurses and no jobs' or 'we need people badly over here in this state'... and on and on. And to me what has become apparent is that it really just depends on your state. And if you're in a place where there is a glut then why not consider moving to where this isn't one? Or consider taking a job with maybe less pass in a town that you might not totally like but that will hire you? And also, it's not that uncommon to spend 6 mo's looking for a job after graduation... As some people seem to think that they will be hired right out of school just b/c there may be multiple hospitals in their area... It's just kinda tiring (tireing? sp?) to see people sit and 'argue' over this... When the solution to it seems fairly simple... Any thoughts on my probably not so informed opinion? I am not trying to attack or put anyone down just posting my thoughts after reading this thread for several days... lol And to those who are out there in the trenches so to speak: Keep it up! :)
I am just saying that LPNs are great. I am a R.N., but I have always been trained by an LPN and they know their skills on the floor. I would rather have an LPN as a preceptor anyday than an R.N. They know their stuff.
I would rather have a LPN will great clinical skills take care of me than a R.N. with a masters degree that is basically theory skilled. It is getting to the point where R.N.s forget how to work on the floor. My friend who was a DON and trained on the floor with me had a terrible time with clinicals. Her skills were terrible and she really had a hard time with simple blood sugars, starting IVs, NG placement etc.
When you get into management, you can kiss your clinical skills goodbye and that is what happened to my friend. To me that is not nursing.
I went to precept today, only to not find my preceptor there. I've been aware of the low census, as this has been the case in my clinicals too. When I asked about my preceptor, the unit clerk informed me that nurses have been regularly called off due to low census. She said to make sure and call before coming in, as it's really slow, and it's likely that other days my preceptor will be called off. It was kind of rude awakening to me, as in, reality hitting me. I realized today that nurses are not immune to downturns. I should have realized this before, as an entire med-surg unit was closed (there are two at the particular hospital) at one of my clinical sites last semester due to low census. It just really hit me today, though, as I have to complete a total of 96 hours with my preceptor, and count on her to be there the days she's scheduled.
Even within states the nursing shortage is "regional". Here in Ohio, Toledo (where I am) and Columbus are with nursing surpluses, whereas I hear Dayton and Cleveland are okay. It has a lot to do with the number of nursing schools. For example, everyone knows about the Michigan economy, yet I'm specifically getting my license in Michigan because of too many nurses being churned out here in Toledo. The economy is better here, so the economy theory doesn't fit in my situation, though I can't see how it wouldn't affect our overall experience.
Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.
I would like to add my 2 cents here. I am not a nurse on a student and not into my nursing program yet... but nonetheless I have noticed on here the talk of many people saying 'well where I work there are 10 million nurses and no jobs' or 'we need people badly over here in this state'... and on and on. And to me what has become apparent is that it really just depends on your state. And if you're in a place where there is a glut then why not consider moving to where this isn't one? Or consider taking a job with maybe less pass in a town that you might not totally like but that will hire you? And also, it's not that uncommon to spend 6 mo's looking for a job after graduation... As some people seem to think that they will be hired right out of school just b/c there may be multiple hospitals in their area... It's just kinda tiring (tireing? sp?) to see people sit and 'argue' over this... When the solution to it seems fairly simple... Any thoughts on my probably not so informed opinion? I am not trying to attack or put anyone down just posting my thoughts after reading this thread for several days... lol And to those who are out there in the trenches so to speak: Keep it up! :)
Mike
when you have kids in school, spouse with job, ailing parents to look after, etc. etc......you can't just pick up and move.....
I graduated in 1992 and I was one of 7 in my class of 40+ that was hired right out of school. One of my classmates was a /CNA for 2 years and waited for my job-I was getting married and moving out of state. that was in 1994.
when you have kids in school, spouse with job, ailing parents to look after, etc. etc......you can't just pick up and move.....
I agree with you. My thoughts weren't meant to apply to everyone. Merely, those who were able to move and/or were complaining about the state of abudance of nurses in their area... If you can't move and your in an area w/ a glut well then thats just how it is. I wasn't meaning to imply that everyone could or should move...
Even within states the nursing shortage is "regional". Here in Ohio, Toledo (where I am) and Columbus are with nursing surpluses, whereas I hear Dayton and Cleveland are okay. It has a lot to do with the number of nursing schools. For example, everyone knows about the Michigan economy, yet I'm specifically getting my license in Michigan because of too many nurses being churned out here in Toledo. The economy is better here, so the economy theory doesn't fit in my situation, though I can't see how it wouldn't affect our overall experience.
This is the thing: when the economy was good and there was a nursing shortage, nursing schools began to tool up and take advantage of the influx of students. Now, should the economy decline in 2009, there will be all kinds of people wanting to be nurses that didn't want to be nurses before. The nursing schools that have ramped up will churn out nurses that there will no longer be jobs for. They will keep telling people there is a nursing shortage, and that will attract applicants and they will get their degrees and licenses, but then there won't be any work, and too many to do the work there is.
Flightline, I noticed that you live on the Gulf Coast. I'm in the NW Florida area and due to this forum I've really begun wondering how things are in my area due to the economy when it comes to nursing. I really want to be a nurse and no matter what I know this is what I want to go into. It sounds cliche' but for me it truly is something that I feel "called" to do. In my area there are about 4 schools close by with nursing programs, maybe even more. I also have noticed that it seems like everybody wants to be a nurse now days. If you are in the same area as I am is it really that bad here? Do you think there's hope for me to find a job at one of the local hospitals in the next couple of years? Two of the hospitals are merging, I am wondering if that will make it even worse for the lack of nursing jobs. I am one of those who can't just pack up in move so this is it for me.
I'm a bit confused: what is the scope of practice for an LPN. For instance, can they do independent nursing assessments without an RN? If so, then at least in a LTC facility, there would be no need for an RN, because there are no advanced IV medications being given. Yes/No?
LTC facilities vary just as much as hospitals as to requirements; My LTC facility requires LPN's to have notes signed off by an RN. Yes, we do IV's; how advanced do you mean? We do not take vents or TPN but everything else is fair game for admission. Rehab3
I am just saying that LPNs are great. I am a R.N., but I have always been trained by an LPN and they know their skills on the floor. I would rather have an LPN as a preceptor anyday than an R.N. They know their stuff.
I would rather have a LPN will great clinical skills take care of me than a R.N. with a masters degree that is basically theory skilled. It is getting to the point where R.N.s forget how to work on the floor. My friend who was a DON and trained on the floor with me had a terrible time with clinicals. Her skills were terrible and she really had a hard time with simple blood sugars, starting IVs, NG placement etc.
When you get into management, you can kiss your clinical skills goodbye and that is what happened to my friend. To me that is not nursing.
You surely are painting RNs with one broad brush. I'm sorry, but from the content and quality of your posts, I'm having a really hard time believing that you are an RN/BSN.
Valerie Salva, BSN, RN
1,793 Posts
I've been telling colleages for ten years or more that I do not think there is a nursing shortage.
The same nurses who used to tell me I was crazy for saying that are now complaining that they can't find jobs, shifts getting cancelled, no agency work and so on.
I find that some hospitals put ads in the paper and send out recruitment fliers, then when they are contacted they say "We are fully staffed." This has happened to me more than once.
I think a lot of facilities do this in order to show the gov't that they are making an effort to hire locally, but can't. Then they get the green-light to recruit overseas.