Is there a nursing shortage or not?

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I am sure many members are tired of this subject, but I am new here. My question is after reading the threads and reviewing the literature on the nursing shortage and future demands. I do not understand why so many nurses including myself, whether you are a new grad, returning nurse, or senior nurse...why can we not find jobs if there is a shortage?

:confused::nurse:

So-Cal is flooded. We have many, many universities and programs turning out thousands of new grads every couple of months. Sharp hospital system (one of the few hospitals that hires new grads) had 1800 applicants for their last new grad program and not very many positions). I work at a volunteer clinic and we have tons of new grad RNs wanting to work for FREE because they can't find jobs to gain experience.

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BTW, the whole "nursing shortage" craze is based upon a projected nursing shortage based upon aging baby boomers.

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There is no nursing shortage in my opinion. Because of the economy, many facilities have stopped hiring nurses (not just nurses actually…..but employees in general). As a result, the nurses who are employed have to cover or fill in whatever shift or position that is unfilled. While you may be “understaffed” or “short”, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your facility is hiring.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Definitely, there IS a shortage. Everywhere. But, because of the economy, most facilities have opted not to hire. Just because positions aren't being filled doesn't mean there is no nursing shortage. Instead of hiring the nurses, you now have more mandatory overtime and overworked staff. It's a shame.

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Try California and see if there is a shortage. If the employer thinks that 6 nurses can cover the whole floor instead of 10, then there is no shortage. Sadly, 6 nurses would be enough in their eyes-----no need to hire two more.

Definitely, there IS a shortage. Everywhere. But, because of the economy, most facilities have opted not to hire. Just because positions aren't being filled doesn't mean there is no nursing shortage. Instead of hiring the nurses, you now have more mandatory overtime and overworked staff. It's a shame.
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Specializes in ICU + Infection Prevention.
At my small school in So Cal, 18 of the 20 recent Entry-Level Master's Degree students were able to find work this year. The two that haven't found work are apparently being too picky with work schedules and what department they want to be in. The others all were able to find work in a few months after passing the exam though many had to take jobs at places they didn't really want to be at, like a long-term care facility. Small sample size, I know, but there does seem to be some jobs out there in So Cal.

Entry level masters degrees... guess that is what it takes to get a job in SoCal :eek:

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Specializes in Telemetry.

That's what I was thinking!!!! Because only few and very connected people in my ASN class (december 2010) have job. You need at least a BSN to be considered for the new grads programs around here and I'm afraid pretty soon we will all need to get masters and maybe PhD for bedside nursing.......a little too much if you ask me :uhoh3:

Entry level masters degrees... guess that is what it takes to get a job in SoCal :eek:
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I heard there are more nursing job in the Southwest area such as Georgie, Tennessee, etc.

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Down here in South Louisiana there is a nursing shortage. Partly because we have more LPNs than RNs, but no one seems to want LPNs in hospitals anymore. Just in my city, 5 of the 7 hospitals have no fewer than 25 open positions for RNs. A couple have as many as 30! Most of these are positions that have traditionally been help by LPNs, and now they are clearing the LPNs, but want RNs for the price of an LPN!

So I don't know what's worse- not finding a job- or finding a job at a small fraction of the pay you're used of making, or to be more clear, pay you NEED to survive.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
At my small school in So Cal, 18 of the 20 recent Entry-Level Master's Degree students were able to find work this year. The two that haven't found work are apparently being too picky with work schedules and what department they want to be in. The others all were able to find work in a few months after passing the exam though many had to take jobs at places they didn't really want to be at, like a long-term care facility. Small sample size, I know, but there does seem to be some jobs out there in So Cal.

*** I suspect that as hospitals gain experience with direct entry masters grads their ability to get jobs will dry up. There was a lot of excitement to hire them at my hospital back when they first started graduating. After some real world experience with them the excitement has dropped to zero.

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1) The economy is not going to magically "turn around" and allow everyone to gracefully retire. In contrast, the nation's current cadre of retirement age nursing staff will eventually decide to live within their means, and then will retire. That doesn't mean a plethora of jobs will suddenly open up, this will likely occur between now and roughly, say, 2020.

2) As the state of our nation's health declines (due to poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyles, and smoking habits), the need for disease management will increase. Unfortunately, we wont see the effects of preventive care in this generation (as it relates to reducing the need for staffing demands). Expect a steadily increasing staffing demand for in-patient nursing in particular, as well as nurses taking on more advanced practice roles in every setting.

3) The baccalaureate prepared RN has become the standard in many regions, if you are a new ADN and are not employed... Likewise, some people out of school are not employable for other reasons. Further, many have not sought a way to distinguish themselves as new graduates other than with a sense of entitlement.

4) The experience paradox - Open positions require experience, new graduate job seekers dont have experience. It is like trying to obtain a credit card, that requires an acceptable credit score, but the only way to obtain a credit score is by having a credit card. Unfortunately academic programs are not preparing new graduates for this job climate. A major component of this is a lack of manipulative or skills testing and qualification to competently and independently incorporate bedside nursing responsibilities, as a minimum standard before graduation.

Regardless of these challenges, healthcare, and in particular nursing, is where you want to be for the next 20 years or so. There is no recession proof job, although nearly any licensed RN can go out and get a job if they are willing to take what is offered, and work their way academically and professionally towards the job they wish to have. Yes, there is a "nursing shortage" as a simple equation of healthcare's needs/healthcare's providers, however the economy has limited ways to ameliorate these two variables.

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In the state I live in there is no mandatory over time law. Thank God. I worked in a state where there was mandatory stay over if someone did a no show..with a small child at home with asthma. How frustrating and exhausting. But that is another topic. Thanks for all the great info. I was feeling really blue and needed to vent and read some great ideas. I do not know how to close a thread..so I will keep checking. Thanks. Nurse.Sandi

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