No jobs or nursing shortage-- Nursing isn't in demand!

U.S.A. New York

Published

Now that I have your attention..I have to say that I am a LPN. I turned down a RN program because of the way I see health care (particularly nursing) going. Seems to be slipping down hill at a sad rate. Pay is being cut, nurses are being laid off left and right, and thousands of BSN grads have been searching for ANY kind of position that they can get...some for over a year. What makes it worse, is, a lot of the new grads I know live here in NYC..where I live. You'd think it's better up here, but it's not.

I'm a new LPN and I know many people look down on LPN certificates...they feel we should go for our RN, BSN in specific. But please save that, because I went this route to get a feel for things and I'm hating what I am "feeling" so far. I left an eeeeeeassssssssy $48,000/year desk job to pursue nursing and I swear I could just kick myself some days. I really love helping others out, but the stress that I have been through, I am positive will only get worse once I really land my first nursing position..if I ever do :( I'm not picky and I literally would work anywhere. I have applied at 100 places, so far. Yes, you read it right..100. Before I started nursing school I had no degree..and I LITERALLY had 2-5 employers/agencies calling me, per day, for work..all ranging from $30,000-$65,000/year depending on the position. Not too bad, since I am not bilingual and truly don't have too much that stands out against others.

I guess this post is a vent. I'm not going to give up and I have yet to have landed that 1st nursing job. To be honest, I am already dreading it. I did my rotations at the hospital and saw what the RNs had to go through. It was just insane. Most of it was politics...cattiness...nonsense. All of them told me they can never relax when they go home because they are always worrying they did something wrong.

I'm in my late 20s and my family/everyone is pressuring me to "finish what I started"..but I am so sad about the way I see nursing going. I was ok with the stress and the workload..but the fact that thousands of BSN RNs are graduating every year and can't even land jobs...and the fact that they have to be virtual slaves/maids/housekeepers/customer service agents/etc. whilst dealing with all that other drama..just turns me off. I am praying/hoping that maybe it was the rotations that I did..maybe it was the facility..but I just cannot see how anyone in their right mind could stay in a field like this. I'm sorry..but $40,000-$60,000/year is just not enough.

Anyway..I love Human Biology...doing medical procedures on patients...and I even love being on my feet...so I am going to give this nursing gig a chance. I'm a little scared..again...100+ applications and not but 2 call backs that seemed to be so general they lead no where. I cannot move out of the city for marital/financial reasons...but have even opened myself up to cities within 1 hour of here. Hope something gives way. I'm praying nursing is a worthwhile career..but I have a feeling it's not what people hope for...and either way..I am just going to be very glad that I only spent 12 months finishing my LPN and trying it out this way first. *sigh* Anyone else frustrated out there?

To all the US nurses unable to find work ...

Are you able to come to Australia ? There are jobs here and I know several US citizens who have moved down here. I'm in Sydney... also know that other centers are hiring.

Have a look at the International forum -> Australia/NZ Forum.

For those interested - remember you don't need an agent

My fiance is in Architecture school...otherwise I would be on the first flight over. I heard it's really hard to become a citizen of Australia, etc. Which it totally should be..bless them. I have a great aunt who lives there and the pictures they show us of their home and everything..just breathtaking ...absolutely gorgeous.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
it's all relative, nursing is in demand compared to most other jobs, the economy sux and has suxed for years now and is gonna sux for at least another 1 yr or 2.

I don't think it's in demand compared to other jobs whatsoever. It only makes sense...this is is the one profession you can go to school for 1-2 years and have a license to work in health care and be responsible for people's lives. Almost every other degree out there requires 4-5 years of your time...that weeds out a LOT of people.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I wonder where that idea came from sometimes. I know the schools pushed it so they could fill their rosters but dang, did people really believe them that much?

Funny part is, you just have to talk to anyone who has nursed for more than 10 years. They'll tell you about the "cycles" nursing goes through. Heck, nursing suffered "downturns" when everyone else was booming. Why would we not suffer one when everyone else is falling?

You're right. That's been the story all along. I have to admit that I knew things weren't grand when I entered. That's why I took the route that I did...to give it a shot. I knew I wouldn't have employers begging me to work for them..but to not even be called back after 100 applications? Who knows if they are even looking at my resume to begin with? The average pay rate for LPNs in my area is $22-27/hr...sometimes more if you go with an agency. I even place my hourly rate, on Monster, as $18-23/hr, ton increase my chances. On top of that, I have tried to reach out to some places just to volunteer...FREE LABOR...still being rejected. They don't need me...or any other nurse at that.

I always hear about the "cycles" as well...why the hell is nursing always going through these little cycles? Not to be a total jerk, but it sounds like some nurses/people are totally brainwashed and in denial. Believe me..I want to believe this is just a cycle..but I'm looking around at my other friends...my BSN friends..other RNs...and my non-nurse friends don't have it worse than I do. This whole attitude that the nursing field is a cut above the rest really baffles me. I know a ton of my friends who went for Business Administration...or something pretty general..yes, they are working Grocery Store manager positions or executive assistant positions..but they're making $45,000-$60,000 (pretty much the same as nursing) with somewhat regular hours and they aren't miserable in the least. I guess I'm just scratching my head and thinking "Wth did I do? Why did I follow my passion and why is it my luck that the economy went downhill as I entered nursing school?". I never thought my previous position was a huge deal..looking back..I'm kicking myself silly. I know I wasn't rich, but $48,000/year sure seems like a lot more than what I'm looking at now...months of being unemployed. Let's just admit it people, it's depressing. The fact that I'm realizing that doesn't warrant for these ignorant "Get out of nursing" comments..or "Make more room for nurses that want it". I'd at least like to use my license and give it a shot....and let's be frank..I paid a lot to get through school and this is what I have to work with now. I didn't go back to finish a Business degree, etc. The nursing license is the small something I have to put on my resume. Enough of the snobbery. If nursing is that grand, I wouldn't be receiving such volatile answers.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I think it came from media hype and governmental hype and the very natural human desire to believe something is true simply because it says so on the Internet. ;) It is a lovely little lie - one I still wish I could believe to be honest. But I don't and as such, am better armed to deal with the situation. Its just the sense of bitterness/entitlement that stands out to me. Nobody is guaranteed a future, ever. Sometimes it is harder than others. This is a harder time.

I don't feel that I am entitled. I'm just frustrated with the continued lies. Why can't the people that are actually in this field be honest? It totally sucks and what makes them think it will get better? I realize, by my resume, I'm not better than the hundreds of other LPNs out there...but the lies...denial...etc. totally kill me. I think it's a shame when nurses who are in the field try to shut people up when they speak the truth about it. I absolutely LOVE the dirty work..love my patients..hate the politics and the fact that the opportunities are down the drain..but I do feel extremely lucky to have only spent a year finishing my LPN program. I still paid a lot and could have finished another Bachelors by now..I always told myself I wouldn't go to school for something that wasn't "worthwhile"..and that's why I'm here in my late 20s trying to do something with this nursing license. I guess I just want people to admit...this field SUCKS more than it doesn't. I REALLY am happy for those nurses who aren't suffering..who are making lots of money..who have a great facility...but I feel like they are just about to have the carpet pulled from underneath them and will be on this board harping the same tune so many frustrated nurses are.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am actually surprised to see that I will be the first (and only) person to question both your apparent attitude towards nursing responsibilities and your expecations of what nursing is. Congrats to you for deciding to stop at your LPN. If you think nursing is going so far "downhill" that you don't want to put in a couple more years of schooling to make a higher wage and be more employable as a new grad, I will gladly take your RN program slot. I am really wondering what you thought nursing entailed, since you seem to be personally offended at some of the tasks one often undertakes as an RN (I believe you said something similar to "virtual slave"? Are you kidding?). Granted, I am not a nurse. I have not even started a program yet. However, I have worked in caregiving and healthcare settings for over ten years, and while I know I have a LOT to learn, I expect to work hard. I expect to do things I don't want to do, to clean up icky messes, to work under pressure, and to deal with the "politics and drama" that can potentially be found in any workplace or field.

I understand that it must be incredibly frustrating to not find a job as a new grad. From what I gather by following the news, reading this forum and talking to my nursing friends (all over the country) and coworkers, the shortage lies not in new grad nursing positions but rather experienced nurse positions (creating a bottleneck). If you aren't willing to clean up messes, be pushed and put under pressure, and you want to make MORE than $60,000, at a job that's easier than your "eeeeeeeeeeeeasy $48,000/year desk job", well, good luck to you. It might be time to start buying lottery tickets.

GOOD LUCK!!! Seriously, all the luck in the world. I came in with the same attitude as you. The only thing I am happy about is that I didn't waste 4-5 years on a BSN. I rejected a place in a RN program in order to "get my feet wet" first. Don't twist my words. I'm not looking for an easy job. I knew I would start off at a little less than my previous job and the work was bound to be a couple of times more stressful. What I dislike is the constant lies coming from this field. I'm so sick of hearing that it's going to turn back around..after research..I see that nursing has always been this way.

I guess I'm just venting people--don't mind me!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
wow you're scaring me.. but to each is own.. i wish u luck and hope things look up on the bright side! thank god i have my cosmetology license to fall back on while i'm waiting to get hired. i hear it is hard to land a job, but once u do it's worth it so i hear.. i'm a lpn nursing student who will be going straight back for rn bsn when i'm done..

Well hope isn't going to change anything. On another note..I passed up cosmetology school. It was paid for..but I just didn't have the talent to do hair. All of my friends that stuck it out are doing alright now. Some are only making $40,000/year..and a few are making some serious bucks working at bigger places. It's way better than nursing though!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Wow I did something similar. This is my second career. Back in 2007 I took the LVN route, and I was getting negative remarks left and right from friends, family, school classmates that I should of went RN route. I would have finished in 2008 instead but reading these forums and talking to friends RN's are getting reamed hard in California. Working part time now as an LVN while volunteering at a hospital and finished all my pre requisites for the ADN or BSN program including the TEAS but I decided to cancel those plans considering the RN glut. I think 2013 would be a good time to pursue RN route again. Just my 2 cents.

btw I just took a IV certification class not too long ago. A lady in my class went to a well respected 4 year State school got her BSN 1.5 years ago and passed her Nclex still looking for her first RN job.....

Do you think that IV Certification helped give you an edge in the hiring department? I was thinking of taking a phlebotomy certification course..along with an EKG Course..but tuition isn't cheap and I'm already kind of high and dry from paying for my LPN program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Do you think that IV Certification helped give you an edge in the hiring department? I was thinking of taking a phlebotomy certification course..along with an EKG Course..but tuition isn't cheap and I'm already kind of high and dry from paying for my LPN program.

No edge that I am certain of however, all the major hospitals in my area won't even look at your application unless you have IV certification. So its more of a requirement to avoid your app going straight to the waste basket. The hospital I am planning to volunteer for requires IV cert for an LVN position so I needed it.

I plan to work 2 part time ltc jobs or 1 part time + volunteer major hospital for 6mos to a year then start applying out of state to Texas, Portland, WA, and Alaska. Dire times call for drastic measures. In 2014 I'll look into how the RN situation has changed and decide on it worth pursuing. Don't listen to the people berating your decisions. Only you can be the judge of your own situation. I wonder how many of these people posting live in a high employment rate state like California like myself. Good luck to you on what you decide.

PS: You can get a steady but low paying job with a Phlebotomy cert working the hospital labs. If I could squeeze it in myself I would do it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in geriatrics.

I think maybe this is where part of the problem is for some people at the moment. Where I am, a 4 year degree is the minimum requirement for RN or a 2 year diploma for LPNs. As a result, if there are schools out there willing to graduate people faster than these time frames, it is going to make it even more challenging for them to compete right now in this current job market. And the schools don't care, because they just want their tuition fees.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I don't think it's in demand compared to other jobs whatsoever. It only makes sense...this is is the one profession you can go to school for 1-2 years and have a license to work in health care and be responsible for people's lives. Almost every other degree out there requires 4-5 years of your time...that weeds out a LOT of people.

AMEN!!

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Somewhere in the PACNW

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

There has never been a cycle or a downturn in my neck of the woods that even approaches what is going on now. I don't recall a time when nurses couldn't get hired while other sectors of the economy boomed, either. Maybe it's a regional thing. My completely unscientific opinion is that the structural issues that caused the shortage in the first place have been addressed via multiple avenues.

I recall a prior Secretary of Education commenting that solving such problems on a large scale is like "steering a barge". You start to turn the wheel, and there is a delay before the unwieldy thing begins to move slowly in the intended direction. People started to turn the wheel in all sorts of ways years ago and we're feeling the effects of it now. Another thing is that there was a period of time with the resurgence of feminism when women wouldn't touch nursing because of it's association with traditional female occupations, and unfortunately looked down on.

Not to say cyclic influences in the economy don't matter at all, but the big picture has definitely changed. Public perceptions change in barge-like fashion, too. I have no doubt it will take a few years for the public to realize the "nursing shortage" is now a thing of the past.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Well hope isn't going to change anything. On another note..I passed up cosmetology school. It was paid for..but I just didn't have the talent to do hair. All of my friends that stuck it out are doing alright now. Some are only making $40,000/year..and a few are making some serious bucks working at bigger places. It's way better than nursing though!

LOL. My daughter went to cosmetology school - graduated in one year the $8,000 tuition was paid for and she got a job doing nails at $40,000 a year in a small town of 30,000! This happened my last year of nursing school and I was seriously kicking myself for not doing the same. But I"d already invested 5 years of my life and over $40,000 in tuition and wanted to finish what I started. Oh well....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment