we all know there is a long term and chronic nursing shortage. i just read an ap story on line today that makes it sound even more drastic than a lot of stories we've read in recent years.
"the long-standing u.s. nurse shortage has led to chronic understaffing that can threaten patient care and nurses' job satisfaction, and the problem is expected to worsen.
the shortage has been operating since world war ii on an eight- to 10-year cycle, industry experts say. each time the number of nurses reaches a critical low, the government adds funding and hospitals upgrade working conditions. but as the deficit eases, those retention efforts fade and eventually the old conditions return, often driving nurses into other professions."
sound familiar?
and another:
the u.s. bureau of labor statistics predicts about 233,000 additional jobs will open for registered nurses each year through 2016, on top of about 2.5 million existing positions. but only about 200,000 candidates passed the registered nurse licensing exam last year, and thousands of nurses leave the profession each year.
several factors are in play: a lack of qualified instructors to staff training programs, lack of funding for training programs, difficult working conditions and the need for expertise in many key nursing positions.
cheryl peterson, the director of nursing practice and policy for the american nurses association in silver spring, md., said employers must raise salaries and improve working conditions.
and another juicy bit:
recruiters across the country have tried similar techniques, offering chair massages, lavish catering and contests for flat-screen tvs, gps devices and shopping sprees worth as much as $1,000.
even strong salaries aren't doing the trick. registered nurses made an average of $62,480 in 2007, ranging from a mean of $78,550 in california to $49,140 in iowa, according to government statistics. including overtime, usually abundantly available, the most experienced nurses can earn more than $100,000.
so here's my question for you folks: (or really several related questions) does this match your experience in your area? are you seeing those big inducements? do you think the recession - maybe soon to be depression - has affected the nursing job market where you are? share with the rest of us.
