Nursing Shortage and Competition??

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Hello everyone!!

I am a pre-nursing student and I would like to ask few questions to those hard-working, experienced nurses out there. I am getting mixed feedback on the reallity of the nursing workplace in the USA. Many say that there isn't really a shortage of nurses while others say there is. Do newely nursing grads have to compete for a position? or is it really a nurse shortage that allows one to chose where they want to work?? does it vary from state to state?? what is the situtation in NY and NJ??

Your imput will be greatly appriciated by those like me, soon to be nurses. Thank you in advance for your feedback.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Hello,

I moved your thread from an off-topic forum to a single thread for a better response.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

You'll get lots of different responses because people have different personal experiences. In some areas of the country, there are real shortages. In other areas of the country, there are not. Alos, there is a real need for nurses in certain types of practices, specialties, work settings, and not so much need in others. So, the answer to your question doesn't really exist as a single answer to your question. It depends on the specific job market in your particular location and those conditions will change from year to year over time.

That said, I wouldn't let that weigh too heavily on your choice of career. If nursing is something you really want to do with your life, then there are enough jobs available for you to have a successful career in nursing. It might not be in exactly the perfect location, or have the perfect work hours, etc., but there are plenty of opportunities to support yourself while you get good experience and further develop your qualifications as you wait for the ideal job to become available.

If nursing is something you really don't want to do with your life, then no amount of job vacancies will make you happy.

That's all that really matters.

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Specializes in NICU.

In my area, all of my classmates ended up with a job they wanted. I, too, have wondered about how real the shortage is--esp. since schools are so hard to get into, but I think you will be able to find work you enjoy :).

If you will be working through nursing school, you may want to consider working in a hospital (or wherever it is you'd like to end up) that you'd like to work in after graduation. Most units will be thrilled to have you start as an RN after you've been working there as a tech/LPN. In fact, a lot of them will juggle things around so that even if they don't have openings, they will create something for you.

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Specializes in Cardiology.

I've never heard of a nurse in my area not being able to find work. If you have trouble, come to Florida ;-)

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

Work is plentiful as an RN, the hard and frustrating part is getting into a nursing program. That is where the competition is really at.

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