More job openings-RT or RN???

[IndecisiveInMiami]

I'm not sure if this is the correct spot to post this or not(this forum is huge!) but hopefully someone might know a bit about it here.

I was wondering if anyone knows if it's just as hard to land an RRT job as it is RN in this economy. I've heard mixed advice. Some are saying there are far fewer RT jobs because they only hire 1-3 per hospital, but I've also heard there's a "shortage" of RT's everywhere and hospitals are in need of them.

I heard and CONTINUE hearing there's a huge shortage of RN's but then also continue to hear how it's so difficult to get a job and there really is NO shortage! (I'm truly starting to hate the word "shortage")

This is extremely frustrating for someone who is just starting school and am getting pulled in different directions. I obviously won't be done with school for 2-3 years and have no idea what the job market will be like then, but considering all of these "waiting lists" on nursing programs I would assume the market will be even WORSE come that time. No??

Are there any RT's or RN's that could say there is a better chance in landing a job as an RT or an RN? I know I would enjoy doing both, I'd just rather choose a route that will give me a better chance at finding employment.

Thanks for any advice

[samirish]

Interesting question for sure. I do not work in a hospital so I can't really answer your question but am looking forward to reading the opinions and replies this thread gets.

[27400]

I'm not sure if there is a shortage of RT but the shortage question relating to RNs is difficult to answer. I wrote a paper about this in my policy class.

Basically, it all comes down to finances. A floor might be "short" of nurses but due to financial reasons, the hospital is not able to afford more nurses on the floor. It then become a vicious cycle, not enough nurses on the floor lead to high turnover rates due to burn out. Another issues is that there are a lot of part-time and casual/par diem nurses who are picky with shifts because they have other jobs. Therefore, they are not able to meet the immediate needs of one hospital over the other. The list goes on. But to simply answer your question, yes there is a shortage of nurses.