Any projections for nursing employment in the current and near future economy?

Quark09 · Jan 13, 2009

Everything I've been reading over the past year makes me pretty comfortable with the security of the nursing industry. One article I read near the end of last year had nursing listed as one of the top 5 recession-proof jobs. Although it may seem that loss of jobs and healthcare coverage would lead to decreased utilization of healthcare services, the opposite may be true: decreased income in some areas leads to additional health issues, and becoming eligible for federally funded healthcare programs may allow people who coudn't afford insurance previously or weren't covered adequately to then utilize healthcare services in their area. I found this link this morning; there are quite a few others that state basically the same thing: nurses are needed at all levels, and work is available and compensated competitively.

Here's the link: http://www.nursinglink.com/benefits/articles/6517-2009-registered-nurse-salary-projections

outside_child · Jan 13, 2009

Yes, I personally have seen some affects from the economy towards nursing. :banghead: Employers are very slow to hire and are very picky (not that they should not be). I have also heard from others how administration appear a little more cockier. I live in Houston; perhaps the effects from our last turbulent hurricane season in Galveston had something to do with this (slow hiring appearance) also because of displaced nurses. I told some nurses early on that if America is "broke", it will affect all insurance (private pay and medicare). I work for a newly built small facility that can't bring or keep their census up or more less to capacity. I see the hiring of too many new grads (to decrease cost) without the support they need of an experienced preceptor/reliable resource person :cry: I think it is getting ugly out there, but only time will tell.

nurseeB · Jan 13, 2009

The economy has definitely affected the healthcare industry in my area. I know of people who have been laid off because the census in the hospital is down. I, myself, was working per diem for a couple different facilities and I can't get a shift to save my life. Full-time staff nurses are getting cancelled too. I really can't wait for this situation to correct itself. :anbd:

country mom · Jan 13, 2009

Where I work, two PHYSICIANS were laid off last week, our DON was cut yesterday, and the ax isn't done yet.

SoundofMusic · Jan 13, 2009

Not sure, but one hospital in our rather large urban area all of a sudden has no nursing openings. Sort of scary. Our hospital is still hiring, but it seems to be affecting some. Our hospital does say it's cutting back on travelers and is instituting a hiring freeze.

My feeling is we just need more assistive staff -- from sitters to techs -- we just need extra hands. For whatever reason, our hospital cannot find enough sitters -- and one would think w/ this economy that we'd have people lining up to do it.

rn2bnwi, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2009

i work agency , 3 months ago i had too much work........now i haven't worked in 3 1/2 weeks and they don't know when it will pick up. i do remember it being like this last year around this time so im hopeful but very nervous.

RNperdiem, RN · Jan 13, 2009

I work per diem.

In the past, work would call me asking if I could work extra.

These days I have been canceled for 3 out of my last 4 scheduled 12 hour shifts.

Other per diems have had the same problems being cancelled so much.

Regular staff is putting in more overtime too.

I would not be suprised if agency and per diem staff start picking up the full time jobs just to guarantee work.

I regularly read through job postings in my area, and I see fewer postings and most of those are for nights.

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2009

I just completed a job search and a lot more facilities wanted "part time flexible" than wanted full time RNs. Also, in my community health job I work with hundreds of MDs in my state. They are complaining (loudly) about loss of income and regular work. MDs who used to volunteer for state and county health boards are saying no, they need the time to look for paid hours.

I'm not saying it is like building cars for GM....just that hard times hit across the board. And I remember well the 1990's (hospitals going under, loss of hours, low census calls, mandated reductions in FTE......)

mume2mykidz · Jan 13, 2009

how about agency like Bayada??we have sooooo many positions open in my area but because I am a new nurse I can not work for them,now if they would do some training then they would not be so under staffed so for all the nurses with 1 year experience give them a look.....

country mom · Jan 22, 2009

Update from my place, after cutting 2 physicians and the DON- they enacted a 3% across the board pay cut, in lieu of cutting more jobs. I actually feel lucky- a neighboring hospital cut their employees by 15%! A friend of mine is losing $4 an hour. OUCH!

Saifudin · Jan 22, 2009

Country Mom,

Thanks for that update. If you don't mind what region of the country are you in. I'm evaluating a repat back to the States this year after 14 years working in Saudi but all signs point seem to suggest things will get worse before they get better and I may just stay put for another year. Its tough job searching from overseas, especially during the present downturn.

I'm from NY but looking in Northern Virgina, Pennsylvania (central), [born in Pittsburgh and did RN and NP education there] and upstate New York, Albany area.

Thanks again for the info.