Is there really a nursing shortage? I am starting to think not.

[sc0628]

So, if there is a nursing shortage then why is it that nursing grads can't seem to get a job or have to wait months for a job. Also, I am really disturbed by the fact that Obama wants to bring foreign nurses to the U.S. to fill the so called shortage. A hospital in Cali said that would gladly hire them. Really? What is wrong with the nurses we already have? Maybe it is because these nurses will work for a lower wage. Hmmm...it is scary.

Here is the article I found.

Immigration: More Foreign Nurses Needed? (U.S. nurse shortage is getting worse as population ages)

[SRDAVIS]

Bottom line: don't vote for Democrats...everything Dems do screws up jobs in the private sector...and that does include nursing jobs. Bottom line with businesses (incl hospitals, etc...most nursing jobs are private hospital, etc jobs), they're in it for money & if they're not making money, they're not going to hire. Dems are good for only govt workers and heavily unionized govt workers like teachers (who, BTW, are have much easier degrees than nurses have to get...fluff)...SEIU & nursing unions aren't enough (private sector unions just drive jobs out of the USA in the long run (in the case of nurses, union demands just end up encouraging hospitals to import foreigners)...only govt or govt-union jobs stay in the US...and that screws the tax payer (YOU & me), BTW!)

REALLLY completely not appropriate..

[slave_diverRN]

coming from an engineering background to nursing, that $60k to $100k figure blows my mind. and i keep seeing that thought presented over and over here, how new nurses still need so much training to be any good at all. after 2 to 4 years of college and/or rn school and passing the nclex, the new grad rns are still not trained? what kind of training do hospitals still have to do? and why are the employers (and nursing school students) not pushing back on the schools to provide the caliber of fresh-out rns that are equipped to step in and work? granted, i don't work in the medical field yet. but it seems to me that if 1 year of experience after nursing school is the current de facto standard that produces a useful grad, wth doesn't someone do something about all of the inadequate nursing training curricula? if a nurse needs 6 months to 1 year of full time floor work to be "qualified" then that should be tacked onto all the training programs and made part of the standard for accreditation.

excuse me, but it's starting to look like a lot of stupid people run nursing schools, if they are producing useless graduates. maybe i will rethink this career change, after all.

that figure accounts for a lot of things:

1. the new grad's salary while in orientation

2. the preceptor's salary while working with the new grad

3. the extra staff needed on a unit until the new grad is 'efficient' enough to handle a full pt load.

i don't believe that needing the above items reflects negatively on nursing schools, any time someone moves into a new job, it takes time for them to be 'up to speed' with the experienced employees. the more experience someone has doing a similar role, the shorter the time it takes them to get 'up to speed.' nursing is not much different than any other career.

[lilredrn]

That figure accounts for a lot of things:

1. The new grad's salary while in orientation

2. The preceptor's salary while working with the new grad

3. The extra staff needed on a unit until the new grad is 'efficient' enough to handle a full pt load.

I don't believe that needing the above items reflects negatively on nursing schools, ANY time someone moves into a new job, it takes time for them to be 'up to speed' with the experienced employees. The more experience someone has doing a similar role, the shorter the time it takes them to get 'up to speed.' Nursing is not much different than any other career.

But in theory, wouldn't the preceptor be providing care for that set of patients regardless of the new graduate's presence? It seems like a cost that would be there regardless...

[Chandlrb]

I think that the nursing schools are beginning to change the way they do things. I know mine has. I am about to graduate in May. My school (a state university with a BSN program) upped the clinical hours required of final semester seniors this year from 90 to 192. We are required to spend the time with an assigned preceptor, and we have to work the same shift the preceptor works. So I have been working 12 hour days two days a week since February. I now take my preceptor's full patient load, and am absolutely amazed at how far I've come in the past few months. I am ready to be a floor nurse. The great thing is, my education also included critical thinking and theory, which I believe has value. I cannot say enough good things about my school and how prepared I feel!

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

I think that the nursing schools are beginning to change the way they do things. I know mine has. I am about to graduate in May. My school (a state university with a BSN program) upped the clinical hours required of final semester seniors this year from 90 to 192. We are required to spend the time with an assigned preceptor, and we have to work the same shift the preceptor works. So I have been working 12 hour days two days a week since February. I now take my preceptor's full patient load, and am absolutely amazed at how far I've come in the past few months. I am ready to be a floor nurse. The great thing is, my education also included critical thinking and theory, which I believe has value. I cannot say enough good things about my school and how prepared I feel!

Wow- that sounds great! I would have loved to do something like that and would have willingly done those hours in addition to my standard final coursework. Aside from the great experience, it's a great way to make connections with the unit manager for a potential new grad job.

[jaznia15]

I agree, I am also graduating in May from a BSN program at a state university and our program has required 240 hours for our practicum hour requirements and most of us are in specialty areas of ADULT health such as ICU, CVICU, and ED. It really helps especially when compiling a resume to say that you have completed 240 hours precepting in high acute settings such as that. I live in GA and we are still VERY short of nurses (outside big cities such as Atlanta) and it has only been in the last few years that nursing has become more competitive. Our instructors said a few years back everyone had a job lined up before graduating usually without a formal interview (I'm guessing at the hosp. they were precepting) but now more and more students are asking for internet tips early on. I was lucky enough to have started my job searching early, which was more to do with me being a 21 year old single mother who needs a job quickly and I am happy to say I graduate May 7th and start orientation as a nurse extern until I pass the NCLEX on May 16th. I guess it just depends on where you live.

The hospital I am going to work at is requiring all new employees sign am 18 month contract and I think this will begin trending very soon. It helps us new grads as well in securing employment. I am just glad the hospital I am going to is a very large one that way if I hate the floor as I see some people do I can probably switch to another one