How long did past nursing freezes last?

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Specializes in hospice, ortho,clinical review.

I've read and heard about nurses who have lived through the previous freezes. I think I heard there was a big one in 1996.

So what was the average that it took for things to open back up? Obviously no one has a crystal ball to say when this one will lift with the economy being what it is, but I just wondered in general if it was a year or even 2 before things started to turn around.

When I first started school, there were still sign on bonuses. In my 2nd year, those graduating nurses mostly still got jobs (2008) but def tanked for us in 2009. I'm v. grateful I have a job/paycheck right now and in nursing even if not ideal, at least that makes the waiting more bearable.

Even though I'm in a city that is better than most b/c of the number of hospitals, it's saturated here too b/c of the number of nurses that did come out of retirement. The ones I've talked to and one is 70 y/o said they were planning to hang in for about 3 years. :eek: Not to mention the experienced nurses that have relocated here.

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I would also agree it was about 2-3 years. Just hang it there and things will improve.

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Specializes in Community & Mental Health, Sp Ed nursing.

Though I don't have any experience, I think this one will be longer, maybe 4-5 years. This time, I think it is more a world economic issue. In 1996 this wasn't the case.

My region has 2.5 hospitals (the .5 is a low risk maternity/surgery hospital). One has decided to completely halt their new grad program for good, and hire on a department by department basis. In the last year and a half (that's 3 graduating classes) they have hired 3 new grads that I know of. The other hospital hires about 2-3 per graduating class and the .5 has hired maybe 1 in the same amount of time. Rumor has it that the hospitals are hiring out of the LTC facilities, though I don't know that. Projections going forward do not look any better here, although the LTC facilities are slowly hiring. We've had very few people move away and take jobs.

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Specializes in Professional Development Specialist.

That is a GREAT question. The follow up question would be, how do us new grads keep our skills sharp and still be marketable when the freeze ends?

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Specializes in critical care, PACU.
That is a GREAT question. The follow up question would be, how do us new grads keep our skills sharp and still be marketable when the freeze ends?

Ive heard from a California hospital nurse leader that nurse leaders are trying to come up with in-hospital refresher courses where RNs who never got hired can be rehabilitated into the clinical setting (without being paid) and then the hospital will hire out of the refresher program those who prove themselves, etc. I think its a win-win because it allows the unhired new grad to get refreshed for free and have an opportunity to prove themselves and the hospital gets to see who they like in the real world of nursing instead of just during an interview.

I hope this does end up happening because it seems mutually beneficial.

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I'm a "new grad" I graduated in May. I am currently working for a cardiologist in his clinic. I practically do MA work (vitals and the like). While I am grateful to have some money and a job, I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared that when the freeze lifts, no one will want to hire me. I'm scared that I am going to lose my skills and forever be condemned to working in a doctors office.

How to I stay on top of my skills???

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Do you know what hospitals are doing these refresher courses..or is this still in the planning and discussions phase?

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Specializes in Community & Mental Health, Sp Ed nursing.

As far as I know, planning stages and depending upon where you live, your local Workforce Investment Board may have more information as they may be helping with the funding. Another option is to stay in school, apply to a grad program or BSN. Volunteer in the skills lab as a patient is another way to work on those skills.

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Specializes in critical care, PACU.
Do you know what hospitals are doing these refresher courses..or is this still in the planning and discussions phase?

yeah like geocaching said it's just in the planning phases. Im sorry I forgot to include it.

The goal of the program is to rehabilitate nurses again when the nursing shortage rears it's ugly head again. They hope itll be a quick way to increase the workforce.

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Specializes in Professional Development Specialist.
yeah like geocaching said it's just in the planning phases. Im sorry I forgot to include it.

The goal of the program is to rehabilitate nurses again when the nursing shortage rears it's ugly head again. They hope itll be a quick way to increase the workforce.

That sounds great, but it doesn't exactly sound like a career plan for new grads. Too much waiting and hoping. I hope something better comes along. :(

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Specializes in critical care, PACU.

very true. more like a back up hope if not hired

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Specializes in Community & Mental Health, Sp Ed nursing.

I used linkedin.com and volunteered at a free clinic and networked. I was very lucky to find a school nurse job. Though the future looks very grim for this field. I'm biding my time in grad school where I will take advantage of the sim lab before I look for a peds job.

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