Nursing shortage

[rivet32]

Many people do not realize why there is such a major nursing shortage in America. There are several reasons for this:

1) Lack of money into Education

2) Limited Nursing space and facilities to accomodate nursing students

3) Nursing Educators are retiring from the profession, therefore there are less Nursing Educators

4) Nurses who are overworked due to staff shortages are at risk of leaving the profession

There are many bright people who want to enter Nursing but have to wait for many months or years to get into Nursing school due to a limited amount of space into the program. This is unacceptable. There has to be a way to get these students into Nursing programs without waiting.

Patient care is compromised when there is inadequate numbers of nurses available to take care of the patients. Our patients are becoming more sicker and they need good care.

Anybody know how we can fix this drastic problem?

Thanks,

Paul

[MadNursePa]

This "glut" that many of you are posting about is a false one. Hospitals stopped hiring and people stopped quitting d/t the economy. But I assure you, there is still a shortage, at least when and where I work. However, by 2020, 40% of the current nurses (baby boomers) will retire. Yup, that's true. Even those who may have retired by now have postponed their retirement because of the economy. I'm not saying that it is easy for new grads, but your time will come. In the mean time, take any job you can get to give you the edge when people start hiring again.

BTW, I graduated in 1994, and it took me almost a year to get a job as well, so the shortage/glut thing is cyclical just like most trends.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Foreign nurses since Oct 06 have had a hard time getting a visa to work in the US so there is no glut in foreign nurses coming over and putting local nurses out of work. Also due to the government the employer has to pay them the same wage as a US nurse so again not putting the local nurse out by paying cheaper.

I was one of the foreign nurses affected and my pay was the same as a US nurse with similar years experience and if not for the retrogression would have been in a job back in 06 however now in Canada and loving it

[cleback]

I see that you're a nursing educator. I hope that you don't feed the shortage lies to your students and prospective students.

I think all nursing school spout this nonsense. Yes, the population is aging. However, we are also a population enjoying healthier and healthier later years. That, and most just can't pay for healthcare right now.

Not even going to mention all the part-time nurses and those that returned to nursing full-time to become the breadwinners for their families........... and no baby boomer nurse in his/her right mind wants to retire now with their savings depleted anyway...

For those reasons, it is difficult to find work. Those who are saying this are just trying to attract students and their money to their school or get funding for something else. And to say "oh, but it will be easier in 2020." Shame on them. I'd like them to tell that to my new nurse friends working at Starbucks. "In ten years, you'll have your pick of jobs."

*rolls eyes*

[NJMEDguy48]

This "glut" that many of you are posting about is a false one. Hospitals stopped hiring and people stopped quitting d/t the economy. But I assure you, there is still a shortage, at least when and where I work. However, by 2020, 40% of the current nurses (baby boomers) will retire. Yup, that's true. Even those who may have retired by now have postponed their retirement because of the economy. I'm not saying that it is easy for new grads, but your time will come. In the mean time, take any job you can get to give you the edge when people start hiring again.

BTW, I graduated in 1994, and it took me almost a year to get a job as well, so the shortage/glut thing is cyclical just like most trends.

Great response and much appreciated.... So many variables as to why the "Glut" ... I saw your stated statistic re 40% of the current nurses will retire by 2020... Can I get the source of that info as I have been trying to get such Stats. My first question to that statistic is what kind of RN's will retire and by what type of qualified persons can/will they be replaced by? Going to be careful but robots replaced manufacturing personel. Health care is changing, whom is going to tell no guide us what we should be spending our time and money on to prepare for this change and future needs of the public.

Thanks again for the post

[MadNursePa]

Sorry NJMedguy48, I don't know the source. But, About 6 months ago, I did a paper on it for one of my BSN classes. It was a research paper and it was all based on peer reviewed articles from nursing journals. Sorry again.

[NJMEDguy48]

Foreign nurses since Oct 06 have had a hard time getting a visa to work in the US so there is no glut in foreign nurses coming over and putting local nurses out of work. Also due to the government the employer has to pay them the same wage as a US nurse so again not putting the local nurse out by paying cheaper.

I was one of the foreign nurses affected and my pay was the same as a US nurse with similar years experience and if not for the retrogression would have been in a job back in 06 however now in Canada and loving it

I really appreciate your response. I am going to be careful as Foreign nurses are NOT the only reason for the glut. ALL American taxpayers are footing some of the bills for all our students in school to get there medical degrees this also includes foreign nurses that come as LPNS etc and further there education here. Whether it be a tax break , grants, EOF funds, special forgiveness or break on Student Loans or governmeant backed loans (IF u r a nurse and want to find out some schooling benefits check out posts on ALL NURSES they are out there)as posted by nurses already taking advantage of them. Even if minut. I personally do not want that money to go to waste. No foriegn nurses until all U.S. graduated and qualified nurses have jobs. SIMPLE we have the schools, public and private and more than qualified students if we didn't why the Huge waiting lists! I can only speak of NJ It is amazing the number of foreign nurses at all levels! I am not saying at all to get rid of them no way... There here they stay. But times have changed... How can we have managed health care in America with out of control or misguided spending on education for such. Unless we need global health care (which I might not be against) and if that is the idea should america pay for all the needs on that as well. We pay for world security through our armed forces should we do the same for healthcare?

Thanks for your reply and it seems you are really enjoying yourself in Canada ..

[NJMEDguy48]

Sorry NJMedguy48, I don't know the source. But, About 6 months ago, I did a paper on it for one of my BSN classes. It was a research paper and it was all based on peer reviewed articles from nursing journals. Sorry again.

No need for sorry. I am just frustrated as a U.S. tax payer, future health care provider, health care patient at times, student, father and other. I know statistics sometimes don't reveal all the truths or can have many variables usually swayed by the authors to fit there needs and wants. I want every qualified student nurse to have the opportunity to persue there career and passion. I KNOW first hand how difficult the profession is (But it has many rewards MANY) and I would like nothing but the best for the student, employer and of course the patient. Unfortunately, I am for managed & fair health care but the politicians and administrators of health care facilities are ohhhhh sooooo close to them have me very concerned.

Thank you and please I welcome your comments....

[NJMEDguy48]

Nursing Shortage 2010....

I am very interested in facts re: Health care today and the Future! I find it very interesting and somewhat confusing. Public LPN classes at Votech schools app $7,000.00 some private schools $20,000.00. The private schools get funding from the government and piece of loans etc. Who is running these schools? Can someone in NJ or other state reach out to me if you are running accross the same thing. Cost apparently has little to do with passing N-Clex as $7000.00 schools in multiple counties around me have nearly 100% passing success..... Lastly we have many same county community colleges in NJ that offer RN classes at a great tuition rate but the waits are lengthy which may lead to favoritism...... UH OH They tout that 50% that start drop/fail out and that assures cream of the crop HMMM I wonder maybe that system needs fixing. Before you can even be considered for the class you need to have your pre reqs completed.... and still that rate of failure/drop out why? Just looking for real stats and facts.. lastly, What about the Techs that are out there. where are they getting there education, from whom etc. Did you ever follow the student loan path Back to the big banks and politicians yikes! I ask is there a glut or shortage and whom really is in control of it. Let's keep going on this as there are to many current nurses out of work and new nurses that need to be prepared...