Is the nursing profession causing its own RN shortage?

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With all the RN's going to NP school, is the profession significantly contributing to the RN shortage? Between retirement and RN's in line to become NP's it seems our unit is on a constant hunt for staff.

There is no nursing shortage---on the contrary, there is an over abundance of nurses out there. Hospitals are not hiring nurses because they think they can dump more & more & more work & responsibility on less nurses and make it work "well". Hospitals have to pay their high level administration salaries somehow, right?

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I agree with you 150%. For some reason, the whole "Magnet" B.S. has created this situation.

In other forums, I read about new grads that can't get jobs & experienced nurses that can't get jobs. In order to apply for a job, a nurse has to fill out an online application, go for 2 or 3 interviews for a staff nurse position, get drug tested, get flu shots, etc. etc. etc. These are not Fortune 500 high level positions, for God's sake. I got interviewed on the phone & hired in the same phone call for a major NYC hospital in my senior year of college in 1989. I shake my head at how places treat the hiring process like a nurse is applying for federal security clearance and then treats them like dogs as employees. They act all "professional" and after a nurse is hired, the professionalism is nowhere to be found.

If I knew 30 years ago what I know now, I definitely would never have gone into nursing.

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Almost all new grads hired at my facility express the intention to continue their education, either to persue an NP degree, CRNA or a managerial position. The only nurses who expect to be at the bedside in 5 years are the ones looking forward to retirement.

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Sorry to parrot everyone else, but I've been saying the same thing for years: there is no shortage of RNs just a shortage of people willing to do the job... and the hospitals are happy to keep it that because:

1. there is no true labor market for RNs (ie. the hospitals don't get hammered by the supply v. demand mismatch for RNs) and they are able to force nurses to do more with less... and we will, it is both in our natures and part of our legal/ professional duty. When things implode the hospital can just blame the fact that things weren't done, only partially done, or done incorrectly on the staff RN despite the fact that the hospital put the RN in an impossible situation.

2. MORE IMPORTANTLY: hospitals have a vested interest in getting rid of nurses with >10 yrs experience because:

A) They cost more in both real wages (hourly) and in benefits... they will often times have dependents by 10 years of RN experience and have a greater propensity to actually USE their medical benefits and vacation/ personal/ and sick time

B) Older RNs (generally) have settled down and now have commitments outside of work and will not be willing to work at the drop of a hat or stay late with no notice

C) They know how much things have changed over time and will actually stick up for their patients, themselves, and often, their co-workers

Truth.

[drops the mic]

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To be truthful is that really the reason? or is it fellow nurses who have forgotten what it was like to find a job after graduation? Not to be a killjoy but after a full year as a student intern, 3 attempts at NCLEX (passing on the third try) and not to mention 23 applications and only one interview? Really?, it's not just the number of new nurses pursuing a career furthering thier opportunities (RE:NP school) but the fact that once in a position to help others advance or even begin a career all I see is a way for a few to pick and choose not based on merit but personal choice. So the real question is.. Why are those who feel that being a nurse embodies a perfect picture rather than a well rounded and educated individual who can and strives to serves others

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PMFB-RN-- May I ask where you are located ( generally)? Also, where in the world did you find this insightful manager?

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I think it is terrible that hospitals have gone to 12 hour shifts! Not safe for the patient or the staff! When this happened, I knew I would never work in a hospital setting again.

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I must agree. I have always felt that the shortage is due to the lack of hospitals willingness to work with their employees. They would rather pay $20 an hour more for a travel nurse than to pay local nurses what they are worth. Just as outside nurses can refuse shifts, but in-house nurses do not have that option. Facilities need to understand why their is a shortage. The shortage existed long before the NP programs took off.

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I have been an RN three years. I finish grad school next December. I cannot wait to be done with school to take a 9-5 with at least equal pay and a far better lifestyle. In fact, I don't know a single colleague under thirty not in grad school. Just look around. Older staff nurses look beat up and defeated. I personally don't mind staff nursing, but I know it will never change so why fight the system?

As has been previously mentioned, nursing schools now cherry pick the best applicants, while hospitals expect complacency with task oriented staff nursing jobs.

Maybe it's because I'm a guy, but why the heck would you not want the cake administration or educator job, when all staff nurses complain about is how horrible our situation is?

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Specializes in ER and family advanced nursing practice.

To the OP, yes, there is high degree of probability that RNs going into advance practice contribute to the personnel shortage in some units. Here advanced practice broadly refers to NPs, education, and leadership. While there may or may not be a "national" shortage, certain areas of nursing seem to find a harder time recruiting and/or keeping staff. I have seen several units where 10-20 RNs at a time were pursuing graduate education or training that would eventually take them from the bedside. When those people left there would be new-hires, and then inevitably, a number of current/seasoned staff would enroll in school.

I read several posts here that seem to use absolutist terminology: Units are understaffed due to management. Period. Low pay. period. Undue hardship/poor working conditions. Period. I don't find that language accurate or helpful. I think the etiology has a multitude of factors. Some jobs are just plain hard no matter how much support staff gets from their organizations. This is often patient population dependent. I am fortunate enough to work for a great hospital, but our market is tough. I leave my shift exhausted sometimes, and I don't blame any of it on my employer.

I think there is a significant fluctuation of unit staffing because RNs can make a variety of lateral transfers within the same organization. This allows them to try something new yet not change employers. This looks good on a resume.

Bottom line, our flexibility/portability can be both gift and curse.

Just my .02

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Well said. Staff nursing is a trade off. I borderline my job as a hustle where I pick my preferred shift, pile on the OT when I need it and peace out. My viewpoint is skewed bc I know I won't be a career staff nurse, but as long as I can use my wife's benefits I'll game the system as hard as possible.

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It depends on which entity you as because to me shortage in nursing is relative if not all but a cliche'.

Nursing economist, professors, strategist day there is. Hospital CEO's and Exec's pretend there is.

It's strange that these hospitals are able to find and fill physician positions!

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