How are local hospital's are doing

Cursed Irishman · Dec 30, 2008

So, you are saying this specifically about the Banner program? How can this nursing shortage be turned around so quickly? By the way, when do you graduate?

Yes, my knowledge only extends to the banner program.

The nursing shortage hasn't miraculously evaporated, but there is a glut of new grads i.e. those without experience. A unit can only take on so many new grads at a time; there has to be a balance of new grad:experience nurses otherwise pt safety is compromised. To compound this problematic dilemma, alot of people rely on the "shortage" and assume a position will be there when they graduate and don't apply while still in school, add to this the fact that few new grads want to work in Med Surg or other "floor" positions so they apply and apply to unit jobs and by the time they break down and apply for floor positions, the new grad spots are taken.

I graduate in March.

MassagetoRN · Dec 30, 2008

Cursed,

Can you elaborate here or in PM on what you mean that they've already talked about their program supply exceeding demand?? I am starting Banner Fellows in March. Thanks!

sassiebaz · Dec 30, 2008

What does this mean for LPN's? Anybody know????

MsBruiser · Dec 30, 2008

So, you are saying this specifically about the Banner program? How can this nursing shortage be turned around so quickly? By the way, when do you graduate?

There is still a shortage - hospitals are just not hiring.

MsBruiser · Dec 30, 2008

What does this mean for LPN's? Anybody know????

I can't see how LPNs are immune to the slow-down. As the few hospitals that hire LPNs fill vacant slots, people will go to LTC. As LTC fills vacancies, the pool of available nurses will grow.

Sassie - please, stop worrying. Nobody can predict the future. I would stay focused on getting into/out of school rather than the job market. We are nurses for godsakes - yes, things are slower right now, but demographics (aging population), bad habits (people are sicker than ever), and an ageing workforce will work in our favor. I can't tell you how many times a day patients say to me "Boy are you lucky to be a nurse now with the economy being what it is!" And they are right...compared to the "average" person, direct patient care providers (MD, RN, RT, PT, OT, and yes LPNs) are in the best position to weather the worst economic crisis since the Great Depresion.

AZJENC · Dec 30, 2008

It's kind of scary seeing the posts about new grads not finding jobs. I start the program in January. From what I've been told from other nurses is to pick wisely, if possible, when you're doing block 4 what department you're in and if you do a really good job they should hire you after you graduate. Also if you can get into a hospital beforehand like their contracts they offer. Oh and don't wait until you're done with NCLEX to apply for jobs, start in block 4. One thing that nurses have usually been able to fall back on is the temporary agencies but now a lot of hospitals aren't accepting registries. I know for me I don't need the benefits cause I receive my husbands and I just always assumed I could do registry to make more money in the beginning. Well good luck to everyone!

RNGrad2006 · Dec 31, 2008

It's kind of scary seeing the posts about new grads not finding jobs. I start the program in January. From what I've been told from other nurses is to pick wisely, if possible, when you're doing block 4 what department you're in and if you do a really good job they should hire you after you graduate. Also if you can get into a hospital beforehand like their contracts they offer. Oh and don't wait until you're done with NCLEX to apply for jobs, start in block 4. One thing that nurses have usually been able to fall back on is the temporary agencies but now a lot of hospitals aren't accepting registries. I know for me I don't need the benefits cause I receive my husbands and I just always assumed I could do registry to make more money in the beginning. Well good luck to everyone!

I wouldnt recommend registry as a new grad. It is pretty tough to do that until you have at least one year of nursing experience.

MsBruiser · Dec 31, 2008

I wouldnt recommend registry as a new grad. It is pretty tough to do that until you have at least one year of nursing experience.

I don't think many registries would even look at a new grad...

Hoozdo, ADN · Dec 31, 2008

I wouldnt recommend registry as a new grad. It is pretty tough to do that until you have at least one year of nursing experience.

Only one year:p I find it challenging with 3 years!

You can tell by looking at hospital job sites that hiring has crawled down to almost a standstill. I am seeing a lot of opportunities still for OR nurses and cardiac cath lab. I am guessing it is due to having to work closely with doctors. :twocents:

Editorial Team / Admin · Dec 31, 2008

Not entirely, lol!

Speaking as a Cath Lab nurse, it's probably because of the on-call requirement.

The money is good but time away from family?

Well, one must make one's own decisions.

Me, I pulled call for over 20 yr.

Now no call and it's very nice.

:)

RNGrad2006 · Dec 31, 2008

Only one year:p I find it challenging with 3 years!
You can tell by looking at hospital job sites that hiring has crawled down to almost a standstill. I am seeing a lot of opportunities still for OR nurses and cardiac cath lab. I am guessing it is due to having to work closely with doctors.

I was being extremely liberal. I still wouldn't want to do registry...but the other poster was talking about doing it right as a new grad. I have seen nurses go to travel nursing after 1 year but I don't think I would have been ready.

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Jan 1, 2009

for those of us not in school yet, or just beginning RN school, do we have much to worry about? In 2-4 years it's possible things may turn around. I ask, because there are two separate threads on new grads and not finding work. I am hoping this will not be the case in a few years...maybe Im naive???

Honestly? I would be terrified of being a new grad right now. Look at these threads, people are talking of moving to New Mexico or Las Vegas!

Times are tough. I sure hope that it changes soon but I don't know. And my hospital no longer hires new grads for any speciality units-at all. It's med surg or nothing.

There is still a shortage - hospitals are just not hiring.

Don't know about that...our census has been harshly lown for months and months. We are not short at all on staff, and neither are a lot of places. Lots of nurses coming out of retirement.

Where are all the snowbirds? I haven't seen them. And this is our normally busy season and it's just painfully slow. We don't use any travelers, a few other hospitals in town don't use them either, one hosptial has a total hiring freeze and another just did layoffs (yes, of nurses).

Even WITH experience it's difficult to find work right now.