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

THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN · Mar 30, 2014

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.[/quote']
Lies. Basically all my classmates are employed since graduating this past December.

HikingNinja, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN, NP · Mar 31, 2014

Lies. Basically all my classmates are employed since graduating this past December.

Oookkkay... so let me clarify. There are very few opportunities for new grads in the hospital setting. I really don't know about rehab, home health, nursing home etc.

priorityjuggler · Apr 13, 2014

Thank you for the kind words. I did a spiritual exercise and just forced my self to be positive force out angry thoughts of the past, and keep on keeping on. A nursing home I had just showed up at to fill out an app called back for an interview. I said nothing negative, and fielded all the questions like a pro reflecting how what I learned in addiction medicine opened up my eyes on geriatrics and how my wisdom would lead to better care. I got a staff nurse position. 2nd day of orientation my interview struck a chord with the DON and she's upping me to management 3-11 supervisor, instead of just pushing a cart.

Thank you again for the encouragement and kind words. Here's some proof to drop the negativity and keep going and have hope. This is actually a step upward in my career path.

Also to all you managers, give someone a chance, you may just be shocked how hard that underdog will work for you to make you proud to have been given a chance.

shermainenevels · Apr 26, 2015

Wow!!! :woot: llg Guide That was some information that I'm going to hold next to my heart. Lol With that being said, i'm so glad that I'm choosing a community college that has a few accreditation, $12,000 and go for 2 years, then go to a for profit school for a year, costing $30,000 with no accreditation.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Apr 26, 2015

What area do you live? South rural Texas

Is it having a Nursing shortage or an abundance? Shortage

If you are having a shortage what incentives are being offered to new employees? Sign on bonus at local hospital.

Are facilities increasing their pay? Not that I'm aware of.

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

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

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Apr 26, 2015

What area do you live? South rural Texas
Is it having a Nursing shortage or an abundance? Shortage
If you are having a shortage what incentives are being offered to new employees? Sign on bonus at local hospital.
Are facilities increasing their pay? Not that I'm aware of.
If you are having an over abundance, have you noticed a difference in how facilities treat their employees? N/A
If you are not employed, how long have you been looking? Not employed, not looking.

The thread was started in Jan 2014 and OP hadn't been back since May. I doubt still seeking data in their quest.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Apr 26, 2015

The thread was started in Jan 2014 and OP hadn't been back since May. I doubt still seeking data in their quest.

Ah thank you.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Apr 26, 2015

Ah thank you.

The poster above you is seeking confirmation of a nursing shortage before going to school

VANurse2010 · Apr 28, 2015

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 :)

1. There's somewhat of a shortage, but mostly an *experienced* nurse shortage.

2. They recruit out of state and sometimes offer $5000 sign on bonuses for experiences nurses - BSN required

3. They increased the pay somewhat but not a huge amount

Tameric · Oct 29, 2016

There's a shortage of good nurses. But also it depends on the area and how picky you are. Many of us didn't get into the ideal job at first. We worked areas available to gain experience. And many new grads once they started working, changed their mind as to the area they wanted.

In my hospital, we have many vacancies due to the location and we have many contract nurses but even these nurses are hard to get. Currently, a big percentage of our contract nurses are Filipino nurses that haven't gotten experience in the states yet. The majority are excellent nurses. As far as permanent applications, few and far between but recently received applications from PR. Where are the nurses? Out there wanting the perfect job and location, which doesn't exist but for a very select few. Try something new. It not only gets you in the workforce, but gives you experience and any nursing experience is another step toward achieving your end goals. Good luck.

KeepItRealRN, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2016

I think you hit the nail on the head. A lot of new grads are too picky about what they are willing to do and where they are willing to live. The only new grad who can not find a job is one who is unwilling to relocate, unwilling to take any position but his or her "dream job", and wants to spend a maximum of a year or two doing it before going back to school. Yes, this scenario is possible but only for a very small %. The rest claim the school lied about the nursing shortage. The shortage is regional people, but it is expanding. If you live in the northeast and refuse to relocate, then yes the jobs are fewer. Leave the northeast and go anywhere else and the jobs are plentiful and in some places pay more than the northeast and have a lower cost of living

There's a shortage of good nurses. But also it depends on the area and how picky you are. Many of us didn't get into the ideal job at first. We worked areas available to gain experience. And many new grads once they started working, changed their mind as to the area they wanted.
In my hospital, we have many vacancies due to the location and we have many contract nurses but even these nurses are hard to get. Currently, a big percentage of our contract nurses are Filipino nurses that haven't gotten experience in the states yet. The majority are excellent nurses. As far as permanent applications, few and far between but recently received applications from PR. Where are the nurses? Out there wanting the perfect job and location, which doesn't exist but for a very select few. Try something new. It not only gets you in the workforce, but gives you experience and any nursing experience is another step toward achieving your end goals. Good luck.