Huge over supply of nurses

Nurses General Nursing

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I have been beating this drum for years about way too many nursing schools. Here is the proof:

http://bhw.hrsa.gov/healthworkforce/supplydemand/nursing/workforceprojections/nursingprojections.pdf

Look at the size of those numbers!

Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
I am fortunate to live in a less desirable state (Oklahoma). I'm just starting my 2nd month of my final semester of an ADN program and have already secured a position, with which I have no connections, in the CVICU.

Good for you! That's awsome. I too went from an ADN program directly into ICU. Best thing that ever happend to my career.

these less sought after states will feel the blow of the nursing glut less so than major states like California / New York.

Anyone else notice that the "less sought after" states are among the lowest paying states and that the "sought after" states are among the higher paying? I see a relationship here.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC/SNF, Rehab, Corrections.

Skimmed it, I'm sorry. My brain's not working tonight.

I'm worked in two states: S.Texas and S.Florida.

These facilities can't keep people and it's not because they're making everyone work 'skeleton'. I'm actually surprised because where I am in S. Florida, there aren't even that many places to work, LOL, but these facilities are all begging for people: LTC/SNF, Rehab, HH, the hospitals, clinics, case management, UM/UR, etc...

Can't keep people. None of them.

So...what competition? From my perspective, nurse jobs are all over the place. When I got to Fl, I was hit up for jobs and I'm an LVN with just 2 and 1/2 years experience (with certifications). I work rehab right now (it's a total sweat shop!) and earn in the mid 20's with shift differentials...but everyone on here says that Florida doesn't pay well? Guess that depends on specialty.

Yeah, the new grads with no nurse experience are likely to have a problem...depending on their state. CA scares me. I feel for any new grad in Ca. When I was in Texas, I encountered a pretty good amount of nurse transplants from that state who just couldn't find work. I don't know what's going on over there. But, anyway, that's where the competition is: New grad nonexperienced vs New Grad nonexperienced. They're fighting each other for positions. The RN students with LVN or EMT/Militarynurse/Paramedic or even CNA experience will do fine, of course. Everyone else? Very likely to be fighting tooth and nail for a position, especially, within the hospital. There's too many of them and employers can pick and choose.

All in all? There may be oversupply but I think the problem will even itself out...because oversupply has been an issue for the last few years:

- The newer nurses in states with the largest amount of glut may just leave the profession. It's not like everyone can relocate.

- A lot of nurses just 'burn out' of the profession. This is what evens the situation out. I mean, there actually IS a nurse shortage because nursing can't keep nurses...right? Frankly, I was always under the impression that the floodgates (opening up a billion and one nursing schools) were opened to solve a decades long retention problem.

Seems accurate to me when I look around.

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@medchica do you mean university of Miami has trouble keeping nurses? I'm applying to their ABSN program and was wondering whether they hire their own new grads

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Specializes in Family Practice.

Considering the average nurse is older and because there are few jobs that actually hold some type of security, it is no accident why "younger" females and males may have developed a real interest in this profession. The study is a real eye opener but should not be a downer for one who wants to pursue a career in nursing. I still believe nursing has plethora areas to explore. I know an example of a new grad registered nurse in Arizona who landed a Labor & Delivery position, which is a challenge for most. She simply put herself out there and sold herself as a good fit. Her ultimate path is going to be in advanced practice in less than 10 years. I would like to see a study of how many nurses become advanced nurses from bedside. Not to say this is the way to go because again, nursing has so many roles out there to find a niche. Bedside seems to be the one all be all but it is not. One of my friends who has been in the NICU for 15 years has walked away from it and now does home health and Infusion therapy. She loves it!

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

I'm worked in two states: S.Texas and S.Florida.

These facilities can't keep people and it's not because they're making everyone work 'skeleton'. I'm actually surprised because where I am in S. Florida, there aren't even that many places to work, LOL, but these facilities are all begging for people: LTC/SNF, Rehab, HH, the hospitals, clinics, case management, UM/UR, etc...

Can't keep people. None of them.

Do you think that has anything to do with FL's famously very low pay and high nurse to patient ratios?

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I graduated with my BSN in 2006. I stay in touch with 5 of my fellow students. All but one have quit nursing. The four that quit are now married and doing other things (kids, other jobs etc).

Just because you make X amount of nurses does not mean they are all permanent nurses. I would focus less on these numbers and on being an effective and professional nurse. Do that and the rest will more than likely fall into place. That is what the individual can control. How hard they work, being reliable, etc. Numbers and jobs...it is what it is. I don't care if there are a million to many or a million short. I know I am a good nurse and I work my rear off. I have not missed a day of work in 8 years. If suddenly the world no longer needs nurses then I will figure it out. I can't worry about this stuff.

I completely agree with this! I'm a future nursing student who just applied to 7 different schools. The nursing shortage may be a "myth" but I am still very much optimistic that I will find a job upon graduation because they are out there! Any person going into nursing now has to be smart, not only academically but also have a high level naïveté. You have to be willing to do whatever it takes to make it work. I've been looking into the mid-west because new grads have been job outlooks than on the coasts. But you have to put in the work and never give up.

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Specializes in CVICU.

Anyone else notice that the "less sought after" states are among the lowest paying states and that the "sought after" states are among the higher paying? I see a relationship here.

There is definitely a relationship, but for what it's worth, after shift differentials I'll be making $31.25/hr as a new grad. In Oklahoma, that's crazy. Yes, my base pay is only $23, but I'll be working weekend nights. Pay is low here in Oklahoma, but so is living here. I can get a decent 1bedroom/1bath apartment in Tulsa for less than $700/mo.

There are many reasons why one would NOT want to live here, though. If you're a liberal like I am, it can be suffocating to have conservative "values" shoved in your face constantly. Fortunately Tulsa is pretty liberal considering where it is.

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I've also been saying for years that there's no shortage- thanks for posting this proof, OP.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
There is definitely a relationship, but for what it's worth, after shift differentials I'll be making $31.25/hr as a new grad. In Oklahoma, that's crazy. Yes, my base pay is only $23, but I'll be working weekend nights. Pay is low here in Oklahoma, but so is living here. I can get a decent 1bedroom/1bath apartment in Tulsa for less than $700/mo.

There are many reasons why one would NOT want to live here, though. If you're a liberal like I am, it can be suffocating to have conservative "values" shoved in your face constantly. Fortunately Tulsa is pretty liberal considering where it is.

Where I live new grads have a base pay starting at $30 +/- / hour and $700/ month will rent a very nice 3 br, 2 ba house in a good neighborhood, or pay the morgage on a nice house you can buy for $80K.

So you are making my point. Nurses in OK are low paid, in a higher cost of living area and in demand. No wonder.

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Specializes in Management, Med/Surg, Clinical Trainer.

There are many reasons why one would NOT want to live here, though. If you're a liberal like I am, it can be suffocating to have conservative "values" shoved in your face constantly. Fortunately Tulsa is pretty liberal considering where it is.

So on a thread about nursing pay...and how we can band together and support one another you choose to toss in politics. Seriously.

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The first post of this thread was the most epic i ve ever seen. The truth it out now.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.
Nor do I see any mention of the bazillions of non-bedside/clinical positions held by RNs now, many of which are increasing in demand.

Unfortunately, most of those positions require acute care experience.

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