Is Shortage in Nursing really a hoax?

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Nov 16, 2017

The nursing shortage depends on location and is debatable, but has nothing to do with nursing school entrance applications. That would be a shortage in nursing students, and an entirely different subject altogether.

anewsns · Nov 16, 2017

There is actually more of a shortage of nursing educators, so they can only accept a limited number of applicants. My theory is that experienced nurses are either retiring or getting more educated and working away from the bedside , (yet not in education), and there are many new grads that hospitals want experience to hire, they also want more education. New grads who do get those hospital jobs get that education that hospitals are encouraging but then they leave the hospital since they are now experienced and educated. So like, nursing shortage in many hospitals. People are also getting sick and old here so growing need for nurses all over the place as well. Also, in California there are minimal staffing ratios but also a huge population, hence nursing shortage there. In my world it appears we're still cranking out a lot of new grads so i don't know what that means once new grads get experience later, maybe balance out a little. But anyway, nursing school competitiveness= lack of instructors. Instructors don't make as much money as some of the other masters specialties. Hoax? My guess is just imbalanced distribution.

Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP · Nov 16, 2017

There isn't a shortage of nurses per se. There is, however, a shortage of experienced nurses in particular specialties, for example critical care, cardiac OR and acute dialysis etc. There is also a shortage of nurses who wish to put up with the bs that corporate medicine is selling. I almost guarantee that if they paid and staffed appropriately, nurses would fling themselves at them in large numbers.

klone, MSN, RN · Nov 16, 2017

In many areas of the country, there is a nursing shortage. In many areas, there is a nursing glut.

Over the next 5-10 years, the shortage that some areas are currently experiencing is just going to get worse. In my own little microcosm, I anticipate 10% of my nursing staff will retire over the next five years, leaving us with 6 vacant positions on my unit, rather than just 2. These vacant positions have been posted for MONTHS. But sadly, experienced nurses do not grow on trees. And in specialty units, it can take over a year to fully train a new grad so that she's safe.

LovingLife123 · Nov 16, 2017

Is that why you are choosing to go to nursing school? You perceive there's a shortage and think it will be easy to get into school and get a job?

Yes, nursing school is competitive. It has to be. You need to have great grades to get in. Nursing school is hard. Being a nurse is even harder.

Some areas have a shortage and some don't. Research your job market.

mikefilmstudent · Nov 17, 2017

Is that why you are choosing to go to nursing school? You perceive there's a shortage and think it will be easy to get into school and get a job?
Yes, nursing school is competitive. It has to be. You need to have great grades to get in. Nursing school is hard. Being a nurse is even harder.
Some areas have a shortage and some don't. Research your job market.

Did I say that I wanted to spend my life saving to blow off on my college because of the shortage? No!! If it is my career goal, I will spend the next two and half year having a family rather than going back to college.

How did you come up with that idea? You are insulting me!!

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Nov 17, 2017

We are always in need of nurses, new and experienced, here in Eastern NC