Is there really a Nursing shortage, or is it just hype ?

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Is there a Nursing shortage in your area or is there an over abundance of Nurses in your area?

In northern Utah (Provo, SLC, Ogden...) we have an huge over abundance of Nurses. A manager friend said for every position she posts as open, she receives 200 applications.

We have a very logical reason, every University, community college, technical school, and career training centers have a Nursing program. Meanwhile those same schools have waiting lists to get in, they still advertise how great a career in Nursing is (which it is).

What area do you live?

Is it having a Nursing shortage or an abundance?

If you are having a shortage what incentives are being offered to new employees?

Are facilities increasing their pay?

If you are having an over abundance, have you noticed a difference in how facilities treat their employees?

If you are not employed, how long have you been looking?

Thank You All For Your Time :)

What area do you live? southern West Virginia

Is it having a Nursing shortage or an abundance? Shortage in a lot of areas with pockets of abundance in certain areas.

If you are having a shortage what incentives are being offered to new employees? Sign on bonuses of $5000.

Are facilities increasing their pay? I wish. We are still very low paid in comparison to the rest of the country.

If you are having an over abundance, have you noticed a difference in how facilities treat their employees? They are equal opportunity, they treat everyone like crap.

If you are not employed, how long have you been looking? Most new graduates have little problem finding a position but I have noticed that they are hiring less new graduates and are BSN preferred .

Thank You All For Your Time :)

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Specializes in geriatrics, addiction services.

I got laid off a gig I worked 3 years at, started per diem. February 2013 I was eligible for benefits as they gave me a staff position. I didn't start my benefits then as I didn't want to pay for health insurance I wasn't going to utilize so I decided to wait till open enrollment. July I start my benefits, August they lay me off. Now I'm distraught looking for a job.

Any suggestions? I'm fighting not to feel inadequate and like crap about my self. I feel as if someone gave me the chance I'd go above and beyond.

Am in Boston.

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, M/S.

Wyoming. There is a "shortage" of experienced nurses. New graduates I know of have found jobs but one I am working with recently told me she was turned away from ER, OB jobs at the local hospital. They told her they did not have enough experienced nurses to give her an adequate orientation. I recently saw advertisements for travel nurses for both of those departments.

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Specializes in none.

I think that since the standard is BSN, most people who have just an RN will have trouble finding a job even with experience.

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Say it with me:

THERE. IS. NO. NURSING. SHORTAGE.

I don't know where this BS comes from but in every state in America there is an abundance of nurses. If I could go back, I would do something more employable instead (hahahahaha if that even exists)

Nursing is oversaturated. There are too many for-profit nursing schools and ADN programs that pump out RN's like there's no tomorrow. Hospitals are scared about the changes that will come with ObamaCare and are going on hiring freezes.

The job market is an absolute degrading joke. You could be the best student and have a ton of leadership and research experience, but will not be considered for a job because you don't know the right people. It's an absolute disaster.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I think that since the standard is BSN, most people who have just an RN will have trouble finding a job even with experience.
Inside the acute care hospital setting, the BSN degree is becoming a preference (and sometimes a mandate) when hiring.

But for nursing jobs outside the hospital, those of us with ASNs and diplomas are doing just fine. For now, there are not enough BSNs who would select private duty, nursing homes, physical rehab, assisted living or hospice as their first pick of employment.

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For now, there are not enough BSNs who would select private duty, nursing homes, physical rehab, assisted living or hospice as their first pick of employment.

Because not all of these facilities pay well. Some home hospice/ Home health/ LTC facilities pay their RN's $15/hr and part time compared to $30-40/hr (in my area) and full time in a hospital. Some pay a comparable wage, though.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
I got laid off a gig I worked 3 years at, started per diem. February 2013 I was eligible for benefits as they gave me a staff position. I didn't start my benefits then as I didn't want to pay for health insurance I wasn't going to utilize so I decided to wait till open enrollment. July I start my benefits, August they lay me off. Now I'm distraught looking for a job.

Any suggestions? I'm fighting not to feel inadequate and like crap about my self. I feel as if someone gave me the chance I'd go above and beyond.

Am in Boston.

Ann, I have to tell you that sometimes I wonder how you (collective unemployed newer nurses) hold it together. The stress added by debt, expectations of family and friends, the reality shock between the celebration of becoming a nurse and the long grinding weeks of rejection...I truly think that most of you must be made of tougher stuff than I was back then.

You are anything but inadequate.

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Specializes in CVICU.

It is certainly harder for a nurse with no experience to get that first job these days. Depending on how bad you want to work in a hospital one might have to relocate to B.F. Egypt to get that first job if need be.

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It is certainly harder for a nurse with no experience to get that first job these days. Depending on how bad you want to work in a hospital one might have to relocate to B.F. Egypt to get that first job if need be.

Or go back to school and quit nursing.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Because not all of these facilities pay well. Some home hospice/ Home health/ LTC facilities pay their RN's $15/hr and part time compared to $30-40/hr (in my area) and full time in a hospital. Some pay a comparable wage, though.
It's the opposite in the area where I live due to supply and demand. Since everyone (and their mamas) wants to work at the exalted acute care hospital systems, the local hospitals can be stingy and start new grads off at a whopping $23 hourly. However, these same new grads can earn in the high $20s to low $30s in nursing homes, home health, private duty and psych.
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Specializes in Psych.

In the southern Nevada area there are no jobs for new grads. But if you are an experienced critical care nurse (OR, ED, ICU etc) the skies the limit. Sign on and relocation packages are common. Luckily this is my area & I do quite well.

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