I was at a Magnet meeting today, and one of the participants questioned why there is a nursing shortage. One of our nursing administrators stated that there are less instructors because the salaries are not competitive (a basically known fact), and also, that there are statistics proving that there are less students applying for nursing programs. I am asking those that may have these statistics if this is true.
I know that I am speaking from a limited point of view; I can only speak for the schools within my area (especially community colleges); but I am hearing stories (and have witnessed) of RN programs having limited seats with over 300 applicants. Many are on waiting lists from anywhere from 2 years or more anticipating a seat. I am not seeing this. I have no statistics before me, but am having a hard time believing this, but again, this is from my own small circle of the world.
Does anyone have these stats, or have heard of them in their respective programs? I am looking for enlightenment. I am aware that there may have been a decrease of applicants in the beginning of the AIDS scare, but not currently.
Specializes in gyn/ plastic surgery/ gen pract. mabey?.
I am 20, and just starting nursing school... so I kinda like the idea of having a REALLY good chance at getting a job because of the shortage....but I dont like the idea that, one day when I am too old and can't care for myself, that there many not be enough nurses. -- just a thought
-- I also agree that hospitals should do better in trying to retain nurses as well... you are all making VERY good points to consider!
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I am one of the lucky few that was accepted into my local community college's nursing program.
I have heard the issue of "too few teachers and too little salary" as well. I have even heard horror stories of poor working conditions that cause even the most experienced nurses to throw it all away. But I havent heard of the number of applications going down? I personaly have watched the numbers go up!- There is sooo much intrest to become a nurse.. but it is just soo hard to get in.
I think that maybey lots of the possible applicants see a list of requirements and feel it is impossible to live up to the "near perfect" standard that is understandably required by nusring programs. I also think alot of students heard of "waitlists" and feel that they dont have a chance, and end up choosing something else. I was almost one of these people!
I think a good wayto keep the applications rolling in is to quit keeping information about nusring programs soo "guarded and secretive." I mean even getting an application mailed to my house was smidge of a process--
Lets get ourselves and our nursing school's name out there! Let's leave applications and information in easily accessible places, like online, or with an advisor, or in the school's medical services office!!!
Career/college fairs and school visits would be good places to go to in effort to make sure we have plenty of applicants with DESIRE to be in the nusring or the field.
I stumbled upon becoming a nurse after trying almost every other major under the sun!... I wish someone would have shown me the way sooner!
I think that the suggestions you made are already happening, at least at my end of the world. There are college fairs, students mentioning their schools, and such. If people are keeping the nursing programs a secret, it is because it is so competitive that prospective students keep their mouths shut to eliminate at least some of the competition.
I really believe that there is a shortage of faculty, and the post with the pitiful salary is proof. Also, a shortage of clinical space. But, I was just so insulted when the nursing administrators at my hospital stated that there is a shortage due to a lack of applicants....I really do not think that is a fact. And it is interesting, since I posted this thread and asked if anyone had stats on this fact, no one was really able to produce them. They were not produced because it is not true from what I have seen thus far.
I know the school I went to accepted anyone who had applied and had the required grades in the required courses. This was in Canada. Numbers consistently dropped after my year, there were enough teachers, but the classes just kept getting smaller. Lots of people wanting to go to nursing schools in the big cities, not many willing to head into the more rural or northern areas to go to school. I have heard of this elsewhere too.
I applied to a school 10 minutes from my home and they had 800 applicants for 60 slots. Of course I didn't get in, and the wait to get into these ADN programs varies from 2 to 5 years. I have to commute an hour and a half to go to nursing school. I felt is was well worth it since I could be waiting for years before getting in. I wanted to take the least expensive route first, and then decide what field I am interested in. If all goes well I graduate December 2008!
I am in pre recs for nursing school at this time. I have heard all sorts of things, not enough instructors, not enough clinical space, and now there is no "waiting list" They have done away with it, but we only take 20 students and there are 500 other applicants waiting to get in.
The sad part is that many of these that get in are 20 something, have never been in a hospital before, they are told to go and volunteer. What a joke, in this state you can not touch a pt as a volunteer. There is none of the responsibility that goes with any of the job.
No tush wiping, no cleaning of the emesis, no clean up of blood, no I and Os, NOthing.
When I first thought about this program it was a requirement to be a CNA for 2 years before going to school. I think if the CNA requirement were back in effect, the students that were applying for the programs would be more serious, because they would know that they will be expected to clean a backside, emesis, blood and that is the tip of the iceburg. OH well thanks for listening.:angryfire
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
The LPN program I graduated from last year has a bridge program that is a joke to me. The bridge program has 20 seats available; 10 seats for those already attending the college and 10 for outsiders. Problem to me is several things; one is that most of the LPNs that enter into that college are vocational school graduates, therefore, have to take all of the pre-requisite courses, which most have not. Then, they are still going by the highest GPAs. Now, there are over 500 applicants. Reminds me of the reality shows like "Making of the Band" or 'Flavor of Love"...shady things done between the students in order to get to those coveted seats. I don''t see why they bothered...
I agree with both of you guys. I worked as a CNA for 9 years before applying to the program, and I think it should be a requirement to weed out the less serious students. These programs are so impacted it is unreal. I have to drive a long way and I am tired, and it also takes away from my study time, but I always keep in mind that I am on a mission and I have a purpose. I could still be on a waiting list for 2-5 years trying to get in! Are both of you applying or in nursing programs? I wish you both great luck and success. You will love nursing school, because you are that much closer to helping the community.
All I know is that I had to move from NH to Kentucky to get into a nursing program, due to not enough slots available. The reason being not enough teachers to make the classes larger and the reason for not enough teachers is the pay is low. These instructors not only risk licensure, but they are some of the lowest paid professionals (with master's degrees). The instructors at the private college that I attend have jobs outside of teaching. They all work in the medical field, most still at hospitals. I did a research paper on this subject, if I can retrieve it from my english professor I will send any and all info. that I gathered.:balloons:
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
All I know is that I had to move from NH to Kentucky to get into a nursing program, due to not enough slots available. The reason being not enough teachers to make the classes larger and the reason for not enough teachers is the pay is low. These instructors not only risk licensure, but they are some of the lowest paid professionals (with master's degrees). The instructors at the private college that I attend have jobs outside of teaching. They all work in the medical field, most still at hospitals. I did a research paper on this subject, if I can retrieve it from my english professor I will send any and all info. that I gathered.:balloons:
I really appreciate all of the responses I received on this subject. I was so insulted that these crackpot administrators actually said that there are less applicants for nursing programs than before but they lacked the statistics that they claimed exist. I thought that because I only had my experience that I had or witnessed, that maybe they had facts I was unaware of but now, I am totally convinced, based on these responses that this is not true, as I suspected.
If you are willing to share this information with me, please feel free to PM me. Also, I think that those that are reading this thread would be interested in your data as well. Thanks for offering, and I am totally interested in what you wrote.
In California there are 17,000 nursing students waiting to get into school and not enough schools. Myself, I am moving to Pittsburgh to go to school because I can get into a school there. In California at some of the colleges it is a lottery and if your grades are not perfect you cannot get in.
Specializes in oncology, surgical stepdown, ACLS & OCN.
I don't have a citation handy ... but I pay attention to these issues as part of my job. The problem isn't that there aren't enough people applying to nursing schools, it's that:
1. There aren't enough qualified instructors (due to poor pay and poor working conditions).
2. There aren't enough clinical sites for student rotations -- particularly in specialty areas.
3. Many people entering the profession have no intention of working at the bedside for very long.
4. Many nurses who would like to work at the bedside leave because of poor working conditions.
And whoever thinks their instructors are highly paid and have easy jobs probably doesn't know what they are talking about. Of course there are some exceptions, but most nursing faculty are over-stressed and underpaid. That's why there is such a faculty shortage! If it were a great job, there would be people waiting in line for the chance to do it.
There aren't enough nursing instructors ( due to lack of enough pay)
There aren't enough applicants,because people are going into other professions
to make more money and get more respect!!
Nurses have a lot of responsibility, work too hard, don't get enough respect or pay!!!:angryfire
JQuezadaS4
60 Posts
I am 20, and just starting nursing school... so I kinda like the idea of having a REALLY good chance at getting a job because of the shortage....but I dont like the idea that, one day when I am too old and can't care for myself, that there many not be enough nurses. -- just a thought
-- I also agree that hospitals should do better in trying to retain nurses as well... you are all making VERY good points to consider!