no nursing shortage but shortage of NP? MD? PA?

marty6001, EdD, EMT-P, APRN · Mar 19, 2010

The need is there... Here's the thing.. It's tough as a new grad anywhere to find a position as the last I've heard it costs roughly 40k to train a new nurse. That's a big gamble when so many nurses move jobs so quickly.. When I was a new RN, I lucked into an ICU position even before taking my boards. I did it by going above and beyond. As an APRN I took a spot making much less money in a teaching hospital working as an intern for a year, then as time went on my responsibilities increased. Now I cover a 12 bed ICU as an intensivist APRN, including admitting, intuibating, line placement as the sole intensivist person in house... Be aggressive, be motivated, show folks you want to work and the jobs will come!!

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2010

You can find a job as an NP or a PA in a heartbeat IN A MEDICALLY UNDER-SERVED AREA. Read: rural and poor.

Lisa, MA · Mar 19, 2010

My husband is very ill. This experience has profoundly changed the way I look at the medical field. Medicine has become big business. Years ago, it was common to joke that surgeons were arrogant and residents were fun. We all hated working with surgeons. Luvd the residents tho! But lately, I have come to realise that MOST SPECIALISTS now are arrogant. They are short, lack compassion and disrespect the emotional factor to healthcare. Patients are mearly a job. They have lost the human element to the profession.

If it wasn't for my husbands PA, I honestly don't know how we would be getting through this ordeal. She calls when she says she will. She checks in randomly. She takes time with us on visits. She goes above and beyond when it comes to emotional comfort and patient interraction. She is humble and down to earth. Unlike the specialist she works for.

In my opinion, we need more PA's and NP's. They are the only ones who are being taught true human compassion. It seems that has been taken out of the MD curriculum.

sam1984 · Mar 19, 2010

My husband is very ill. This experience has profoundly changed the way I look at the medical field. Medicine has become big business. Years ago, it was common to joke that surgeons were arrogant and residents were fun. We all hated working with surgeons. Luvd the residents tho! But lately, I have come to realise that MOST SPECIALISTS now are arrogant. They are short, lack compassion and disrespect the emotional factor to healthcare. Patients are mearly a job. They have lost the human element to the profession.
If it wasn't for my husbands PA, I honestly don't know how we would be getting through this ordeal. She calls when she says she will. She checks in randomly. She takes time with us on visits. She goes above and beyond when it comes to emotional comfort and patient interraction. She is humble and down to earth. Unlike the specialist she works for.
In my opinion, we need more PA's and NP's. They are the only ones who are being taught true human compassion. It seems that has been taken out of the MD curriculum.

I agree, I have a great disdain for MD just because of that. I love customer service and am very compassionate and patient, always willing to help and answer all that is asked. That's one of the reason why i believe I will make an exceptional NP or PA. I really want to work with the underpriviledge, not sure about rural but definitely poor and underserved. I'm glad to know that there is a demand and I guarantee most of it has to do with people tiring of MD and they're lack of respect for patients.

gaia1214 · Mar 19, 2010

Here is what a friend of mine, a recent grad of MGH Institute here in Boston, told me about the job market and the interim RN job problem (at least here in Boston):

"What you hear about getting interim RN jobs while in school is spot on. It takes a lot of $ and time to train a new grad (about a year). Of course, that new grad is going to jet when he/she gets their NP and hospitals have caught on. Nursing jobs are generally challenging to get in Mass because it's so saturated with medical personnel. There is a nursing shortage...but not in Massachusetts. A lot of my friends ended up getting jobs in nearby cities such as Manchester. Unquestionably, the best way to get a good job upon graduation is to network well at your clinical placements. Most people would do a clinical placement somewhere for several months and would fit in so well, they just worked there when they graduated. In considering clinical placements (you get more choice as you progress in the program), ask yourself in the back of your mind if it's in a setting you can see yourself working in one day.

"One more tip in getting an RN job: some of my classmates got entry level positions at a hospital (i.e. a patient care attendant, LPN, etc) and would apply internally for an RN job when they got their license. The point is to get an "in" any way you can.

"NP jobs are available everywhere but the demand is strongest in more rural areas or smaller cities. One search strategy I can vouch for is searching NP/PA recruitment websites. They give an accurate idea of where the demand is strongest, what's available, and who's looking. When you get your NP certification and post your resume on monster or similar sites, you'll be inundated with calls/emails/letters from job recruiters who will notify you if they have positions available in other areas/states. One year later and I'm still getting contacted.

"If you're willing to relocate, finding a job is a piece of cake. The demand is insane, though it's strongest and you'll get the best offers in more rural areas and small cities (i.e. Green Bay, WI, where I landed a great job). Ultimately, finding a job should be the last of your worries. You'll be fine."

So there's the experience of one person who just went through the market. He said his fellow classmates had similar experiences for the most part. He also said via phone that he suspects the market will be stronger in all nursing and midlevel areas within a few years, when the overall economy starts rebounding (which it will; that's how the market works).

One caveat, and it pains me to say this...but it might be relevant. My friend is an African-American male, which may be a factor in terms of improving workplace diversity.

I hope this helps! Good luck.

RB2000 · Mar 19, 2010

My husband is very ill. This experience has profoundly changed the way I look at the medical field. Medicine has become big business. Years ago, it was common to joke that surgeons were arrogant and residents were fun. We all hated working with surgeons. Luvd the residents tho! But lately, I have come to realise that MOST SPECIALISTS now are arrogant. They are short, lack compassion and disrespect the emotional factor to healthcare. Patients are mearly a job. They have lost the human element to the profession.
If it wasn't for my husbands PA, I honestly don't know how we would be getting through this ordeal. She calls when she says she will. She checks in randomly. She takes time with us on visits. She goes above and beyond when it comes to emotional comfort and patient interraction. She is humble and down to earth. Unlike the specialist she works for.
In my opinion, we need more PA's and NP's. They are the only ones who are being taught true human compassion. It seems that has been taken out of the MD curriculum.

First, let me say that I so sorry to hear about your husbands health, and what your family is going through. I am glad that there is someone that you both feel comfortable with in providing the healthcare he needs, as that is extremely important; I too agree that it makes all the difference in the world with helping you to cope and get through it.

I do have to shed a little ry of hope for the doctors out there though. They are not all like House M.D.! : ) My mom was recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma and her oncologist is great! He has the best bedside manner and is really good at his job. The entire staff are wonderful from nurse to doctor. Also, my little nephew was just diagnosed with mucopolysaccharidosis a couple of days ago. His entire team of doctors were out of this world.

I just say that to let everyone know that they haven't all forgotten about the patient.

I say that as I plan to be some form of advance practicing nurse. : )

Back to the topic real quick. I am from Jersey too. I was told the same thing about any form of advance practicing nurse. I was told that the need isn't for LPN's or RN's right now, but need is definitely there for advance practicing nurses.