Is there really a nursing shortage in Manitoba?

[T123G123]

Hi everyone,

I'm a teacher who was told when I entered education that when I graduate there will be a teacher shortage. In fact, everyone I entered the program with was told the same thing and from my girlfriend I heard that students who enter the University of Winnipeg Education program are also told about this wonderful goldmine of jobs galore...

... the problem is that it doesn't really exist. There is no teacher shortage, over 60% of the graduating class 2 years ago is now subbing and so are many of my friends. I did get a teaching job and though it is going good and I am in a great school I'm coming to realize teaching is not what I feel I should be doing my whole life.

I'm planning to teach for 2 more years then enter Red River College (Accelerated Nursing Diploma, RN). I heard there is a huge nursing shortage and the RRC website states that over 90% of nursing grads get jobs.

I'm just wondering of my fellow Winnipeggers and Manitobans (whether you are from here or are working here now, we're all family ), is this true? Is there truly a shortage of nurses in Manitoba and specifically Winnipeg? Or is this another marketing ploy like that of the Education program (sorry in advance for my cynicism).

Thanks.

T123G123

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

The nursing shortage in Manitoba is real. They are recruiting from the Philippines again, despite the less-than-satisfactory results of their last recruitment drive there in 2000. (Most of the nurses recruited at that time left after a year to pursue opportunities south of the border.) They are also making it very attractive for Manitoba nurses who have left the province to "come home". Nursing education programs are not turning out enough nurses to replace the ones who are eligible to retire each year, and the population continues to grow. I looked at the HSC website and there are many positions posted as "open until filled". I can't imagine that the shortage will have evaporated by the time you graduate in 2012.

[T123G123]

The nursing shortage in Manitoba is real. They are recruiting from the Philippines again, despite the less-than-satisfactory results of their last recruitment drive there in 2000. (Most of the nurses recruited at that time left after a year to pursue opportunities south of the border.) They are also making it very attractive for Manitoba nurses who have left the province to "come home". Nursing education programs are not turning out enough nurses to replace the ones who are eligible to retire each year, and the population continues to grow. I looked at the HSC website and there are many positions posted as "open until filled". I can't imagine that the shortage will have evaporated by the time you graduate in 2012.

That is really great to hear. I was thinking of going away to a developing country with a humanitarian Christian group for a year or two to work there as a nurse before coming back and looking for work in Winnipeg.

Do you think that would be a smart career choice? Would it be seen as a good thing (ie experience) or a bad thing (going away for a while instead of getting a job in Wpg when there is such a need here)?

Thanks for your input on this and in the pediatric section!

T123G123