Almost 500,000 licensed registered nurses were not employed as nurses in 2000.*
Data from the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA's) 2000 national sample survey of RNs shows that more than 500,000 licensed nurses (more than 18% of the national nurse workforce) have chosen not to work in nursing. This available labor pool could be drawn back into nursing if they found the employment opportunities attractive enough**
The ANA maintains that the deterioration in the working conditions for nurses is the primary cause for the staff vacancies being reported by hospitals and nursing facilities - not a systemic nursing shortage. Nurses are opting not to take these nursing jobs because they are not attracted to positions where they will be confronted by mandatory overtime and short staffing. **
76.6% (of) Licensed RNs (in The U.S. are) Employed in Nursing***
* Projected Supply, Demand and Shortages of Registered Nurses: 2000-2020 (released on 7/30/03 by the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis, Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). The Bureau of Labor Statistics, in an earlier report, predicted that that we will need one million new nurses by 2010 (Monthly Labor Review - November 2001) to cover new positions and replace the nurses who have retired.
I've said it before on this board. The shortage is artificial. AND it is created by the very people who are "complaining," that is the employer.
The arguement is we would hire if we could find nurses.
The fact is employers will not hire and turn away perfectly good oportunities to hire. Consequently nurses work short.
Nurses working short is interpeted as they're not enough nurses in existance.
So true Agnus. I've watched too many nurse colleagues wait and wait and never get called for interviews...all the time HR is crying we have no applicants...but I KNOW their apps are in HR.
I've had it happen to me too when I returned to the workforce following an injury. Yeah, hospitals MIGHT hire a nurse...IF he/she is the perfect nurse specimen they are looking for: young, cheap easily manipulated, low risk, (never sick or injured) never speaks out or has a disagreement with management, etc.
Do most of you out there really believe your HR isn't getting nurse applicants??? Granted this MAY be true in some areas, but it sure ain't so in mine...I KNOW better.
I'm also tired of working so hard when a coworker was canceled or put on call...and gee whiz when 2 more admits showed up we couldn't reach her for callback....how convenient for my manager's pocketbook come bonus time.
Put a spin on it, imagine if instead of a nursing shortage there were a policeman shortage. Can you imagine the public outcry? Would conditions change for policemen? Probably not, they would still be required to do what they do today but I bet they would be paid better.
I can't speak for any other city, but here in Dallas, the police would disagree. The mayor Laura Miller has given a raise to some accountants, etc while maintaining a wage freeze for the important people--police, firemen, etc. In Dallas there are like 2.9 officers per every 1000 people..this compared with like 4.8 or something like that in NY. And lets add now that police injured (shot, attacked, etc.) in the line of duty will only be covered for 13 wks instead of the previous 1 yr. Tell me who is going to become a police officer in Dallas? And why do you ask are these disgusting actions being taken? Simple, to save money. So far, I've heard the figure of like $900,000 saved by screwing the people who protect and serve. Amazing similarities with police and nurses in my example, huh?
throwing more money to lure nurses back to the bedside will not work. only better working conditions will work. you can offer as much as you want but in the end the nurse will leave for better conditions elsewhere.
btw - something to think about. i see several posts of nurses doing housekeeping chores because the facility is cutting costs. what do you think would happen if you let the trash pile up and left the rooms dirty? don't you think that would send the message to admin. that they need to look elsewhere to cut costs? if you do the job of someone else then where is the incentive for admin. to hire someone to do the work. as long as you allow yourself to be taken advantage of then you will continue to be abused.
quote tonchitoRN "throwing more money to lure nurses back to the bedside will not work. only better working conditions will work. you can offer as much as you want but in the end the nurse will leave for better conditions elsewhere. "
No but wouldn't more money be a good thing? I'll take it. I expect my income to rise in the future d/t to law of supply and demand. I do agree that people will usually leave for greener pastures if they have the opportunity.
"btw - something to think about. i see several posts of nurses doing housekeeping chores because the facility is cutting costs. what do you think would happen if you let the trash pile up and left the rooms dirty? don't you think that would send the message to admin. that they need to look elsewhere to cut costs? if you do the job of someone else then where is the incentive for admin. to hire someone to do the work. as long as you allow yourself to be taken advantage of then you will continue to be abused. "
Won't work and admin knows this too. Putting patients at risk is not part of the nursing process. We all know that rooms must be cleaned and the filthy garbage needs to go out. For the safety of ouselves and our patients. And, our noses too. :)
I've had it happen to me too when I returned to the workforce following an injury. Yeah, hospitals MIGHT hire a nurse...IF he/she is the perfect nurse specimen they are looking for: young, cheap easily manipulated, low risk, (never sick or injured) never speaks out or has a disagreement with management, etc
This is why hospitals hire recruitment agencies(I wonder how much that costs??) to come to Latvia (and all other foreign countries) and look for young, innocent and uninformed nurses, telling stories about that huge "nursing shortage" in the U.S. and how much money they would be making there. They just "forget" to mention about the working conditions and prospects of being "burnt out" in a short period of time from being overworked. The truth is - a foreign hired nurse will complain less for she/he has a lot more to loose - working visa, contract etc. I hate to think that the represantitives of one the noblest professions in the world are being manipulated with and mistreated, no matter where they are.
I'm going to do my laundry - at least something I'm still in control!!!
Where are all these "young, innocent nurses" I keep hearing about. All I see these days are middle age, cynical nurses. We like to talk about what we'd like to do instead of nursing. It has to make at least the same amount of money and be fun, fun, fun.
Where are all these "young, innocent nurses" I keep hearing about. All I see these days are middle age, cynical nurses. We like to talk about what we'd like to do instead of nursing. It has to make at least the same amount of money and be fun, fun, fun.
-Russell
Include me in the (northeastern) middle age cyincs group! I have taken part in that "what else could I do?" converstaion many times! Never seem to be able to discover that new profession due to the money factor, though. But, the list of possibilities is an interesting one!
Dog groomer
Pet sitter
Florist
Manicurist
Baker
Personal trainer
Real Estate agent
Housekeeping service
I would go the "something with animals" route. What new profession do you dream of? It seems those of us left already have one foot out the door!
mattsmom81
4,516 Posts
So true Agnus. I've watched too many nurse colleagues wait and wait and never get called for interviews...all the time HR is crying we have no applicants...but I KNOW their apps are in HR.
I've had it happen to me too when I returned to the workforce following an injury. Yeah, hospitals MIGHT hire a nurse...IF he/she is the perfect nurse specimen they are looking for: young, cheap easily manipulated, low risk, (never sick or injured) never speaks out or has a disagreement with management, etc.
Do most of you out there really believe your HR isn't getting nurse applicants??? Granted this MAY be true in some areas, but it sure ain't so in mine...I KNOW better.
I'm also tired of working so hard when a coworker was canceled or put on call...and gee whiz when 2 more admits showed up we couldn't reach her for callback....how convenient for my manager's pocketbook come bonus time.