Nursing Shortage...

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When I got into nursing school a couple of years ago, there were articles in the news almost everyday about nursing shortage.... how we desperately need more nurses and what not.

After graduation and 2 months of searching and applying for jobs, I wonder.....

Is there really a nursing shortage?? If so, where?

Ready to work---->>> :nurse:

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Specializes in ICU, MICU, SICU.
When I got into nursing school a couple of years ago, there were articles in the news almost everyday about nursing shortage.... how we desperately need more nurses and what not.

After graduation and 2 months of searching and applying for jobs, I wonder.....

Is there really a nursing shortage?? If so, where?

Ready to work---->>> :nurse:

Yes, come to Delaware. I recently had 5 days off in a row, and my job called me EVERY single day, at least twice begging me to come in. "We are offering time and a half and a bonus of $250" is the message I got on my machine five times this week!

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You're right, location may be the issue here (in CA). The market is saturated with experienced nurses from all over the country and new grads like me don't stand a chance... That makes me very sad. :cry:

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Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.
You're right, location may be the issue here (in CA). The market is saturated with experienced nurses from all over the country and new grads like me don't stand a chance... That makes me very sad. :cry:

Actually, the problem in many areas within California is that nursing schools are churning out New Grads at a rate that far exceeds the number of New Graduate spots. Usually New Grads do not compete for the spots an experienced nurse would obtain in an acute care setting, they compete for New Grad spots in New Graduate programs. So if you are looking for a job at a hospital in an area located around many nursing schools and you were not already working there as either a tech or a nurse extern, then the chances are slim of landing a job upon graduation.

On a more positive note the world of LTC and Home Health are in great need all over California and may hire you without experience. Another option is to move to a RURAL area in California... There are plenty of jobs in the acute care setting because there are few nursing schools nearby. GL.

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Specializes in MED/SURG, ONCOLOGY, PEDIATRICS, ER.

What about Florida? Anyone? :)

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Specializes in NICU, Telephone Triage.
You're right, location may be the issue here (in CA). The market is saturated with experienced nurses from all over the country and new grads like me don't stand a chance... That makes me very sad. :cry:

unfortunately, Ca. hospitals have started relying on A LOT of travelers...that's usually where the problem is. Some units are so poorly staffed, they are run by mostly travelers.

I would suggest looking into Kaiser, they have excellent benefits and retirement packages...and they sometimes do have new grad programs...go to http://www.kp.org. They also post jobs on that site.

Good luck

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Yes, come to Delaware. I recently had 5 days off in a row, and my job called me EVERY single day, at least twice begging me to come in. "We are offering time and a half and a bonus of $250" is the message I got on my machine five times this week!

Sometimes, staff is working short, phones are ringing begging people for overtime BUT HR is doing nothing about hiring. Managment is deliberately holding back, keeping cost down by limiting benies. Myself and many others here have reported working short constantly while ads run in the paper for help. Meanwhile, qualified nurses reported responding to those ads and not getting hired.

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Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.
Sometimes, staff is working short, phones are ringing begging people for overtime BUT HR is doing nothing about hiring. Managment is deliberately holding back, keeping cost down by limiting benies. Myself and many others here have reported working short constantly while ads run in the paper for help. Meanwhile, qualified nurses reported responding to those ads and not getting hired.

Oh, you must be speaking of my unit.

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Specializes in ICU of all kinds, CVICU, Cath Lab, ER..

We could use you in Florida. As a matter of fact, we are in the "warm body mode" (warm body, license in hand, you're hired!!).

Shameful! Some nights we arrive in the conference room to be told there are only 11 nurses (33 beds)!

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Keep your head up. I know it's frustrating. It took me 3 months to land my first job in a LTC facility once I got my license. I actually preferred a hospital but they kept passing me up. You may not land the job you want at first but if you apply all over the place then sooner or later someone will come and grab you.

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Hmmm.......as of today, our facility has 94 RN vacancies......makes ya wonder.

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Specializes in Ortho, Case Management, blabla.

I got a job no problem in Michigan. The hospital I'm at has 80 open RN positions for night shift! They just bumped up the night-shift incentive pay as well to $4 extra an hour to try and attract more RNs.

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