Can anyone tell me why there is a nurse shortage???

[MelH]

I will be a new nursing student in the fall but am wondering why so many people are leaving the nursing profession? Could some of you help me out here and let me know what is going on. I am really looking forward to a nursing career but wonder what the deal is on why there is such a shortage and why people are predicting more of a shortage in the years to come. Thanks to all!

[SmilingBluEyes]

MANY PROFESSIONS eat their young (see the other thread)...NOT JUST NURSING. it is not a female bytchy thing now.....come on!

Frankly, It is the unwillingness to get paid less that the community garbage man and work under more stress and be expected to know much more, as well as have much more formal education. That about wraps it up. The above posts say it more eloquently than I do.

But puhleeze, young-eating is all over, not just nursing.

[l.rae]

originally posted by cen35

thanks fedup..........:)

me

ditto what fedup says!!.....hey rick....it's about @&!@# time buddy.....welcome back.......lr

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

Originally posted by EricaCCRN

I am happy that you chose nursing but I cannot in good conscience lie to you. RUN, kid, RUN!!!

:chuckle :chuckle :roll

[fedupnurse]

Hey l.rae maye we should start a thread: Where the bleep has CEN35 been??????

[Mattigan, RN]

CEN35 took the words right outta my mouth.

[LasVegasRN]

Originally posted by mark_LD_RN

....i also think since it is a predominately female vocation.that it gets less respect mainly do to old stereo typing. this is another reason i think more males entering nursing will beniefit all nurses as a whole...

I know this is an awful thing to say, but I would really like to work in an environment with more men than women. I'd like a boss who is a man. In my opinion, I repeat, IN MY OPINION AND IN MY EXPERIENCE males are less emotional and more objective. This can be a plus or a minus, depending on one's situation, but for ME I respond better in a male-dominated work place. :chair:

I know, I know, I chose the wrong profession for that. :)

[nursedawn67, LPN]

Overworked and underpaid.

[B.Wilhelm]

I think if you were to combine all the replies, you would have your answer. It's definitely NOT for the money, respect, or words of praise from administration!

[LasVegasRN]

Originally posted by B.Wilhelm

I think if you were to combine all the replies, you would have your answer. It's definitely NOT for the money, respect, or words of praise from administration!

Exactly!

[spineCNOR]

What they said!!!

When I was in high school in the late 60's a young woman had few career choices - teacher, secretary, wife and mother, and nurse--today women can do or be anything!!

Back in the early 70's when I began my nursing career hospitals were there as a service to the community. Today - hospitals are big business. Hospital administrators see nurses as a labor cost, not as an asset to the hospital, and certainly not as professionals. I believe that most hospital administrators have any real understanding of the work that nurses do, and the difference nurses can make in their patients' lives. Therefore, hospital administrations are trying to make do with fewer nurses and more unlicensed workers, greatly increasing the burden and legal liability of the nurses they have.

Last, but not least, nurses in the hospital setting are treated with a great deal of disrespect from doctors and administrators.

I truly wish you the best - good nurses are needed. There are good places to work, it just takes work to find them!

[ruffhouser]

Originally posted by LasVegasRN

I know this is an awful thing to say, but I would really like to work in an environment with more men than women. I'd like a boss who is a man. In my opinion, I repeat, IN MY OPINION AND IN MY EXPERIENCE males are less emotional and more objective. This can be a plus or a minus, depending on one's situation, but for ME I respond better in a male-dominated work place. :chair:

I know, I know, I chose the wrong profession for that. :)

I don't think that you said anything that was awful. I am a new RN. My supervisors are fine thus far. However, in my former line of work (banking), I had both male and female supervisors. For the most part, I found that the male bosses were much easier to work with, especially when it came to family issues (sick child, etc.). I never abused the family issues thing, but the male bosses were always willing to work with me while the females were very difficult and catty. Just my $0.02!

[Texman]

Nurses have a tremendous amount of emotional stress, physical work and little appreciation. Nurses can now make well over six figures with little effort. I certainly appreciate the shortage, but if you are going to be a nurse expect to work your tail off, but also expect to be rewarded for all your hard work.