So is there really a nursing shortage?

[VegGal]

I've been a nurse (LPN) for several years, and a fairly new RN now in California. While in school, both ASN and now my BSN I kept hearing about the huge nursing shortage we're facing, and how much worse it's going to get, and I still hear it. Then I read posts from experienced nurses on here who state that there's no nursing shortage in most US cities.

So which one is true? I read about how the Baby Boomers will need many more nurses, and I also read how there aren't enough Gen X and Millennials to take over the Baby Boomer Nurses' jobs once they retire. I also read statistics by the ACA 2010 that state that we're facing a major nursing shortage and how many more nurses are needed, and in fact many agencies and companies have been bringing in foreign nurses to fill these so-called vacancies in nursing.

So what's the real truth? In my state of California I see lots of nursing jobs posted all the time, and I wonder if it's because of nurses retiring, quitting, new positions being created, or if it's truly a shortage of nurses at all times. What do you think? Is there a shortage? Do you see a shortage in your city / state?

[VegGal, BSN, RN]

Well, it seems the federal government's HSRA is predicting a huge surplus of nurses by 2025. .

Gosh, Rose_Queen, that was a pretty scary article! That's a huge surplus of nurses, and even if say they over-estimated by as much as 50%, that still is a large surplus of nurses, and only 9 years away! Maybe those of us who are already in the field, and want to stay in it should become more educated and make ourselves more indispensable.

[VegGal, BSN, RN]

There is - in SOME PLACES and in SOME SPECIALTIES - a shortage of EXPERIENCED nurses. That is the only shortage I can detect.

That makes sense. Hopefully those of us who are new will become more experienced over the next few years as well as more educated and be able to remain employed.

[VegGal, BSN, RN]

If you can easily get a job that you desire when you want it, there is a nursing shortage. If you can't get hired for anything even two years after you left your last position, there is no nursing shortage.

Don't you think that's still dependent on where one lives?

[VegGal, BSN, RN]

Where I live, yes there is. There is a huge shortage. New grads can get a job anywhere. My unit all the time offers huge overtime incentives. Huge. They recently stated they hired over 30 nurses this year and still need to hire over 15 more to be adequately staffed.

That's not the same everywhere. But I also believe that when many nurses say, oh there is no shortage, it's because they didn't immediately get the NICU or ICU job they wanted. Well, if I applied to my "dream unit" and didn't even score an interview, then there must not be a shortage. I take what people say on here 75% of the time with a grain of salt.

I always tell people to research your job market thoroughly. That means talking with hospital HR dept and local recruiters. Not the rumor mill.

NurseGirl, I think you're right. I see bonuses offered in several type of RN positions in my city in California, and we have tons of nurses from all over the country (and from other countries) here.

[VegGal, BSN, RN]

This is your answer. Don't listen to nursing schools who are trying to get your money or a bigger budget.

I agree that nursing schools are definitely not the authority on nursing shortages anymore. Somehow I never realized that before!

[VegGal, BSN, RN]

The area where I reside has a shortage of experienced nurses who are knowledgeable in certain specialties such as critical care, OR, and PACU.

When flipping the coin, this same area has an overage of newer nurses, as well as nurses with the wrong mix of experience.

Gosh, I hope I get to the point where I'd be able to realize which nursing sector / industry has a shortage and which ones don't. I may need to consider getting trained and having some experience in something else apart from LTC. Maybe I'll try to get into home health or community nursing on a part time basis just to become more valuable to the profession (as well as become more educated).

[VegGal, BSN, RN]

I'm curious what you consider "huge incentives"? When we are short my unit offers time and a half pay, plus an additional $100. That's not super motivating to me. What does your unit offer in comparison?

Gosh, I wish I could look at $100 as "not super motivating"! Maybe someday when I'm making decent money ..... (I can dream) :)

[VegGal, BSN, RN]

If you read into the data that's out there and the hiring trends, there is a shortage of BSN trained nurses willing to work in acute care facilities.

I can see that happening. I'll have my BSN in less than a week, and I'm not willing to work in Acute. I may have to reconsider based on where the jobs are, but for now I think I'm staying in LTC.

[VegGal, BSN, RN]

Depends on the area you live in, the specialty you work in.

Here in KY, there are tons of jobs available right now, in just

about every specialty.

I've heard that from several KY nurses. That's good that you guys have those options and good job security.

[VegGal, BSN, RN]

More like a nursing JOB shortage in most areas, particularly for new grads. Smaller centers and rural areas often have a real nursing shortage, but there are more applicants than positions in the cities.

10 years ago the "nursing shortage" ended when the recession hit and it hasn't improved.

Joanna, I wonder if that too is state-specific because I'm in a large city in California and we still have a major shortage. I see quite a number of jobs for new-grads every day, both in Acute and other areas, and I see even more for experienced nurses.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

I recently read an article in our local paper about the local hospital "feeling the pinch" of the "nursing shortage"

What they neglected to discuss were the two big layoffs, and the "restructuring" of job titles and programs in the past few years. Those actions led to very experienced, well seasoned, and highly trained nursing professionals, being laid off. Nope, not a word about that.

There is, IMHO, a shortage of administrators who are willing to pay the value of the nurses they had, and willing to staff at adequate levels.

[DeeAngel]

There is no nursing shortage, just a shortage of nurses willing to put up with the realities of being a floor nurse. The "Nursing Shortage" is one of the buzz phrases they use to sell seats in nursing programs.