WOW! I just heard a story on NPR about the nursing shortage in California. The reporter stated that California has passed a law that requires all hospitals to have one RN on duty for every 6 patients, no exceptions. So, hospitals are scrambling to try to hire additional nurses. California, the reporter said, is the state with the worst nursing shortage in the US and is already having a hard enough time finding nurses without the new law going into place. Apparently, the hospitals have to be staffed by January 1, 2004.
They talked to an agency who is doing business in California and is trying to recruit RN's from all over the place. They cover from the state line of Oregon all the way down California to Tijuana. (sp?)
Anyway, the stunning part to me was the pay scale they are using! They are paying $55/hr for RN's. If you work 12 hour shifts, you get $65/hr. If you work holidays/evenings/weekends, they are paying $90/hour!
They also talked to a few hospital administrators and the like who each explained what they are doing to attract and retain nurses. Some are offering moving expenses, apartments with free cable free utilities and fully furnished, vehicles for the nurses to use free of charge and huge sign on bonuses starting from $7K and up.
I know there is a downside to nursing and this post is not about that or even asking for any responses related to the downside etc etc. Please, save the flaming for someone else. I was just amazed at the $$$$ and the lengths employers in California are going to.
Man, I knew I should have listened to my mom when she said to finish RN school. :chuckle
