As opposed to putting it on the "paying dues' thread, I'll start a new one...
Do you feel that there truly is a "nursing shortage" in our country today? Or more specifically, in your part of the country?
I have a hard time believing that it's true, when we are getting called off left and right because we have too many nurses scheduled for what our census is on most days. In particular, our 12 hour night shifts are WAY overscheduled, sometimes we have SEVEN RN's on at that time (and we never need more than five, and five is if we are full, usually it's four or even three, so often we are calling people off/sending people home).
I agree with everything you just said above. My age group is fearful we will never get to retire in this economy, forcing us to work longer than we had originally anticipated. I too am thankful to have a job.
I do believe that there is a shortage of nurses, and is only going to get worse in a few years. There are a lot of nurses leaving the profession because of poor working condition and low wage. Enrollment in nursing school is not enough to supply the demand. Not enough faculty to teach, again because of the pay rate.
lpnflorida, LPN
1,304 Posts
Cherry,
I agree with everything you just said above. My age group is fearful we will never get to retire in this economy, forcing us to work longer than we had originally anticipated. I too am thankful to have a job.