End of the Nursing Shortage

Nurses General Nursing

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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:

  1. Nursing boards will start requiring a 4-year degree to sit for the NCLEX.
  2. 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.
  3. Travel agencies will cease to exist and agency nursing will go the way of the way of the dinosaur.
  4. Without unions, hospitals will force nurses to take about 14 patients a shift and will simply fire those who won't do it.

What do you think?

Wow.. For anyone who has ever disagreed with the "Do nurses eat their young?" question, come look at this topic.

I am disappointed to see how many people snub new nursing students these days.. Like everyone is in it for the money.

And even if you ARE in it for the money, what's the difference between getting a job say as a scientist to make money or as a nurse to make money? Just because someone's "calling" is not to be a nurse does not mean they will not make a good nurse.

I never had a calling. What is this calling? Does God send an angel to you to tell you that you need to be a nurse?

Personally, I'm getting into nursing because I do enjoy people and I like to help people. I also would not mind working three twelve hour shifts a week (already do it as a bartender) and I would definitely like to make a nice amount of money. Is it for me? I'm not sure yet. Maybe not. But there are also plenty of students who I've heard "This is my calling." from and they don't make it.

Don't mean to offend anyone. I'm just tired of being dumped on because I'm being "churned out" by my current nursing school.

As to the questions? I'm on such a rant I couldn't even tell ya. :twocents: :twocents:

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In my area (Chicago) there are nursing jobs posted but it seems as though employers want a specific type of person. Most acute care facilities want recent acute care experience. I am a nurse with an active license, a master's degree and 30 years of experience. I have been working all of that time in a nursing role but not in acute care.

I am interested in returning to bedside nursing (sorry Commuter - some of us want to go back!) but most employers will not even consider me for a position.

There are still some of us experienced nurses who are are willing to work and have a lot to offer. I think that hospitals need to consider other options such as sponsoring a nurse refresher program or have extended preceptorships. I think that having a mix of experienced and new nurses would be a bonus for any health care facility!

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If the plan to have healthcare for everyone pans out, then census will go up, up! Which means more jobs for us. Having so many people uninsured and underinsured does make me worry about a glut of nurses caring for less and less patients.

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Specializes in Respiratory Therapy.
I think that hospitals need to consider other options such as sponsoring a nurse refresher program or have extended preceptorships. I think that having a mix of experienced and new nurses would be a bonus for any health care facility!

Dogmom--if you are anywhere near Indiana and do not mind the commute, Indiana is experimenting with a refresher program (there is a link at the bottom of this thread). It may be something to consider if Chicago won't give you fair consideration.

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In regard to baby boomers... there will be a need for various types of nursing services but the question I have is will the baby boomers be able to afford the care they need? Putting in another way, I imagine that licensed nurses won't be willing to work for low wages that most folks could afford while non-licensed personnel would be eager and willing to take on virtual nursing roles for less then professional nursing wages.

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Specializes in OB, NICU, Nursing Education (academic).

Nursing shortage...not over and won't be soon.

3 good reasons (there are lots more): aging population, aging nurses, REALLY aging nursing faculty.

Talk of requiring a 4 year degree has been going on since before I graduated.....25 years ago! I'll believe that when I see it.

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Specializes in ICU.

I think we're in for an economic landscape that no one has ever experienced before. In the past, there was always technological advances or wars that brought us out of depressions. This time, there ain't going to be either. Wars cost too much to fight on a large scale and frankly there isn't any more inventions left to pull us out.

I know there are some with pie-in-the-sky ideas about science that suggest we will always be advancing forward, but think about it: what else is there to advance to? What else can come along that will make as big of economic advance as, say, electricity or the automobile, or robotics, or the internet. There's nothing else out there--nothing that we need or want anyway.

I fantasize that they could invent teleportation and move things around like with the teleporter on Star Trek, but that's never going to be real. We could find an alternative fuel that is as powerful and plentiful as oil, and all the industries that could come from that discovery would be a huge boon to our economy, but I think we all know that isn't going to happen.

Nothing is going to make houses worth what they were, again. Nothing can. Nothing is going to produce entire industries like the internet did. Nothing is out there. We are coming to an end of sorts, and I don't know where we are going to go from there.

So, no, this is not a depression, not like the great depression. But it might be a slow leak that will go on and on and on. Gluttony and greed, it would seem, are self-limiting.

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Wow.. For anyone who has ever disagreed with the "Do nurses eat their young?" question, come look at this topic.

I am disappointed to see how many people snub new nursing students these days.. Like everyone is in it for the money.

And even if you ARE in it for the money, what's the difference between getting a job say as a scientist to make money or as a nurse to make money? Just because someone's "calling" is not to be a nurse does not mean they will not make a good nurse.

I never had a calling. What is this calling? Does God send an angel to you to tell you that you need to be a nurse?

Personally, I'm getting into nursing because I do enjoy people and I like to help people. I also would not mind working three twelve hour shifts a week (already do it as a bartender) and I would definitely like to make a nice amount of money. Is it for me? I'm not sure yet. Maybe not. But there are also plenty of students who I've heard "This is my calling." from and they don't make it.

Don't mean to offend anyone. I'm just tired of being dumped on because I'm being "churned out" by my current nursing school.

As to the questions? I'm on such a rant I couldn't even tell ya. :twocents: :twocents:

I start clinicals next Spring. I currently work as a Nurse Tech on a Med/Surg floor, so believe me when I say I have seen just about every body function at work. My thing is, I never hear anyone telling their kid don't become a doctor for the money, you need to have a calling! But when it comes to nurses, someone always wants to look down upon you if you want to go into the field not only to help people, but to make a decent living. It's not a crime to want to be able to provide for your family and live at a certain standard. In all honesty, I have read several different discussion boards and threads on this site, and I have heard money being mentioned several times as a reason to go on to getting a CRNA certification and even an NP degree. So are we saying that it is okay for these groups to move on for higher pay, but a floor nurse should be ashamed for wanting to make money too??? Maybe one of the reasons nurses don't bring home the paychecks they should is because they like to play martyr and then their administration plays along and it shows in hourly pay.

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Specializes in OB, NICU, Nursing Education (academic).
I think we're in for an economic landscape that no one has ever experienced before. In the past, there was always technological advances or wars that brought us out of depressions. This time, there ain't going to be either. Wars cost too much to fight on a large scale and frankly there isn't any more inventions left to pull us out.

I know there are some with pie-in-the-sky ideas about science that suggest we will always be advancing forward, but think about it: what else is there to advance to? What else can come along that will make as big of economic advance as, say, electricity or the automobile, or robotics, or the internet. There's nothing else out there--nothing that we need or want anyway.

I fantasize that they could invent teleportation and move things around like with the teleporter on Star Trek, but that's never going to be real. We could find an alternative fuel that is as powerful and plentiful as oil, and all the industries that could come from that discovery would be a huge boon to our economy, but I think we all know that isn't going to happen.

Nothing is going to make houses worth what they were, again. Nothing can. Nothing is going to produce entire industries like the internet did. Nothing is out there. We are coming to an end of sorts, and I don't know where we are going to go from there.

So, no, this is not a depression, not like the great depression. But it might be a slow leak that will go on and on and on. Gluttony and greed, it would seem, are self-limiting.

Unbelievable negative thinking here.....:o

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Specializes in ED.

The nursing shortage is alive and well in my area. There aren't enough nurses to fill the positions, the census is higher than in previous years and overtime is abundant. I really think so much is determined by the region in which you live. I'm beginning to think that the reason the census is so low in the south is the snowbirds are all in the hospitals up north! I don't see the nursing schools around here churning out loads of nurses (we have several schools in the area). There aren't enough instructors out there, so enrollment is limited. I've even heard there is a waiting list for some schools. Many folk do go into nursing because they lost a previous job and figure nursing is a good way to make a buck. Some make it, some don't. Same with any profession. The hospitals in my area will hire those without prior hospital experience, just not in specialty areas. There are jobs available for those willing to relocate.

As far as requiring nurses to have a 4 year degree to sit for the NCLEX, I've been hearing that since I first went to nursing school in the 80's. I've yet to see it happen or hear any real plans to make it so.

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Wow.. For anyone who has ever disagreed with the "Do nurses eat their young?" question, come look at this topic.

I am disappointed to see how many people snub new nursing students these days.. Like everyone is in it for the money.

And even if you ARE in it for the money, what's the difference between getting a job say as a scientist to make money or as a nurse to make money? Just because someone's "calling" is not to be a nurse does not mean they will not make a good nurse.

I never had a calling. What is this calling? Does God send an angel to you to tell you that you need to be a nurse?

Personally, I'm getting into nursing because I do enjoy people and I like to help people. I also would not mind working three twelve hour shifts a week (already do it as a bartender) and I would definitely like to make a nice amount of money. Is it for me? I'm not sure yet. Maybe not. But there are also plenty of students who I've heard "This is my calling." from and they don't make it.

Don't mean to offend anyone. I'm just tired of being dumped on because I'm being "churned out" by my current nursing school.

As to the questions? I'm on such a rant I couldn't even tell ya. :twocents: :twocents:

I agree 100%!:cry:

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Specializes in LTC.

I have to agree with Flightline. There was an analyst on some business news program (Meredith Whitley or Whitney?) that said she would not be surprised if unemployment hit 40-50%! People DO NOT make statements like that simply to shock people. I'm just finishing up LVN school in the next few weeks and praying I'm able to get a job somewhere, anywhere in the country!

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