Nursing Shortage & Me...

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Those interested in a nursing career as a life career choice and not only for the money know what I mean about this... Doesn't it just make you mad when random people just come up to you and tell you: "You know the nursing shortage isn't real right?" Ugh what nerve do they have! Of course I know there is no nursing shortage I read the newspaper, I watch the news, and I have friends that are in the nursing career, what do they think we live in a bubble or something???? However, that is the career I chose, that is the career that I want, and it has nothing to do with the pay! And well call me optimistic, but I believe that once I am done with my career and I do become a Registered Nurse, I know I will find my ideal job in the specialty that I want and be happy, because if you are going to do something that makes you happy, there is no impossible!!! Right? What do y'all think, has anyone else experienced a situation like this before?

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You have random people coming up to you and telling you "you know the nursing shortage isn't real right"?

How odd.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Most people, many of them nurses, still think there is a nursing shortage.

Good for you for knowing the truth. However, if you are going to let stuff like that get to you it is going to be a long road ahead.

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

FWIW. There may not be a shortage, but the pay is still good. Even on the lower end of the spectrum nurses are getting paid more than (or equivalent to) other science professions.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Buck up little campers!

I am involved in workforce planning for my organization (recruitment, retention and all that stuff)... and we are beginning to see a change in the market. Recruitment bonuses & hiring incentives such as relocation allowance is beginning to re-emerge for nurses with specialty expertise. In my part of the country, the job market is very good for BSNs with specialty certifications. New grads are still having a tough time landing jobs & major healthcare systems only hire new grads with BSN (this is not expected to change).

I like the OPs optimism. I disagree with PP's claim that "Even on the lower end of the spectrum, nurses are getting paid more than (or equivalent to) other science professions." This is inaccurate. In terms of STEM professions (science, technology engineering & math), Engineering & computer science are top earners even right out of school. Among healthcare professions with commensurate educational requirements, nursing may have an equivalent starting salary, but we have much greater salary compression... by mid-career, we are way behind everyone else.

Staff nursing is very limited in terms of career growth. In terms of earning potential, the best way for nurses to achieve career growth is to move up the ranks with advanced degrees and higher level jobs.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I've never had random people say that to me, but maybe I put it out there differently that I'm going to be a nurse. Really, it wouldn't bother me that much if people said that, and if it bothers you, you might need to develop a thicker skin, because that's definitely NOT the most rude thing you'll come across! Also, there ARE people (read some of the posts here) that still think there's a nursing shortage. Hopefully, as HouTx stated, the climate is changing; it has to at some point, as those who couldn't afford to retire 5 years ago are starting to do so.

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... as those who couldn't afford to retire 5 years ago are starting to do so.

I'd be more than willing to take an earlier retirement if someone would only fund it for me....any bidders out there? LOL....

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
I'd be more than willing to take an earlier retirement if someone would only fund it for me....any bidders out there? LOL....
I was teasing a nurse the other day who was saying that she's planning to retire soon, telling her, "Good news for me!" It's sad that nurses (and others in the workforce) have been stuck working longer than planned thanks to retirement accounts tanking. I know some that are retiring because their bodies just can't handle the rigors of nursing anymore. That's got to be hard to take.
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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

For reporting in the popular media reports that state there is a nursing shortage or assume it to be true run about thirty to one and that is not by accident.

Around here we talk about it for people who are considering nursing for whom the availability of immediate work anywhere in the specialty of one's choosing is a big factor. When I chose this road that was huge. I wasn't a "this is my calling" nurse so I would've appreciated the truth even if I felt the naysayers just enjoyed running around taking the wind out of people's sails.

In the end this could eventually be good for nursing in that people who make it will need to be tenacious and resourceful. Whatever the merits of BSN only, ending the warfare over it can only be a good thing as well.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

Glad you're still pursuing the path you wanted. But, if you don't get into your specialty of choice when you graduate will you be able to handle that?

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.
Buck up little campers!

I am involved in workforce planning for my organization (recruitment, retention and all that stuff)... and we are beginning to see a change in the market. Recruitment bonuses & hiring incentives such as relocation allowance is beginning to re-emerge for nurses with specialty expertise. In my part of the country, the job market is very good for BSNs with specialty certifications. New grads are still having a tough time landing jobs & major healthcare systems only hire new grads with BSN (this is not expected to change).

I like the OPs optimism. I disagree with PP's claim that "Even on the lower end of the spectrum, nurses are getting paid more than (or equivalent to) other science professions." This is inaccurate. In terms of STEM professions (science, technology engineering & math), Engineering & computer science are top earners even right out of school. Among healthcare professions with commensurate educational requirements, nursing may have an equivalent starting salary, but we have much greater salary compression... by mid-career, we are way behind everyone else.

Staff nursing is very limited in terms of career growth. In terms of earning potential, the best way for nurses to achieve career growth is to move up the ranks with advanced degrees and higher level jobs.

I am only speaking from my experience. engineering and computer science are the exception. Basic science bachelor degrees (chem, bio, micro) don't get you far, you max out around $45k in research unless you pursue a PhD.

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Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.
Buck up little campers!

In terms of earning potential, the best way for nurses to achieve career growth is to move up the ranks with advanced degrees and higher level jobs.

This is the same for people in other fields. It's just that in other areas, people have the pressure to move up and grow, or else they lose competitiveness. So by mid-career those who remained in the same field will have grown into management or have higher level of responsibilities. In nursing, you can be a Staff Nurse for a long time without ever going into management or getting more education.

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