Nursing Shortage?

JaqRN · May 3, 2009

I live in Columbus, where we have 23, yes 23 nursing schools! I really hate to say it but I would not recommend anyone going into the nursing profession, RN or LPN anywhere. It's just too risky of a situation right now. I graduated in December, became an RN in January and here we are May 2nd...and I'm still jobless. I became a nurse to work in a hospital. Ideally, my true passion is ER, ICU, Critical Care type areas. It's difficult to explain what it feels like to not "be" a nurse. To not be in a hospital every day ( at least I could do that while I was in school) helping people, learning, and fulfilling my "nursiness". I feel as if I am not a whole person, like the purpose I was created for is being blocked from me. When I look over the posts here, I'm scared. This is nationwide. Not just Columbus, not just Ohio....everywhere. :crying2: :angryfire

whirlabug · Dec 3, 2009

Here in Colorado, too. No jobs and it does not look good down the road but the schools keep spitting out nurses.

Nichole43119 · May 9, 2010

I am sorry everyone is going through this. I wanted to comment and say this... this recession is the worst since the great depression. So it isn't that there isn't a nursing shortage, it's that the country as a whole is struggling right now. I read an article about how lawyers graduating from Tri 1 schools (Ivy League) can't find jobs right now. So it isn't just the nursing field that is experiencing a hiring freeze, it is all industries.

Personally, I wouldn't discourage anyone from getting their ASN. In 2 years when they obtain their degree, the economy will have rebounded by then and RN jobs will be plentiful once again.

I know when I graduate, I plan to put in apps all around the world. The entire southern USA and Europe. I say don't limit your options to just 1 state or 1 city. If you can move then move. Also, I am trying to get the highest GPA I can get and I am going to look for an internship as well. I know a lot of LTC places are hiring. The pay isn't as good, but it will get me the experience I need to be competitive in this slow job market.

Nenja · May 9, 2010

The other day on Fox News, I was really surprised to see them use the term "RN shortage" instead of "nursing shortage" I think "RN Shortage" fits better.

I disagree with that a whole lot. I graduated Friday from BGSU and will be an RN after my boards...the UT/BGSU consortium is now graduating nurses three times a year, plus there is Lourdes, Owens, Mercy, Terra, Firelands, etc. all in the area. Our area is cranking out nurses - there is no shortage...hospitals just cannot afford to hire at this time. I know two people in my entire graduating class that have jobs lined up and they are going into the service...none that had to search, apply and interview.

Music in My Heart · May 9, 2010

There is no RN shortage either and RN schools continue to pump out graduates by the thousands who cannot find meaningful employment. Experienced nurses, too, are challenged to find new positions, though nothing like the poor new grads.

foreverLaur · May 16, 2010

I live in Columbus, where we have 23, yes 23 nursing schools! I really hate to say it but I would not recommend anyone going into the nursing profession, RN or LPN anywhere. It's just too risky of a situation right now. I graduated in December, became an RN in January and here we are May 2nd...and I'm still jobless. I became a nurse to work in a hospital. Ideally, my true passion is ER, ICU, Critical Care type areas. It's difficult to explain what it feels like to not "be" a nurse. To not be in a hospital every day ( at least I could do that while I was in school) helping people, learning, and fulfilling my "nursiness". I feel as if I am not a whole person, like the purpose I was created for is being blocked from me. When I look over the posts here, I'm scared. This is nationwide. Not just Columbus, not just Ohio....everywhere. :angryfire

Wow - we have 23 schools here?? I didn't know we had that many!!

-OSU

-Otterbein

-Capital

-CSCC

-Chamberlain

-Mt Carmel

-COTC

-American Institute of Alternative Medicine

-Ohio American Healthcare, Inc

-Columbus School of Practical Nursing

-Felbry College

-Marion Tech

Which 11 nursing programs am I missing? Maybe there is one I didn't know about that I can start sooner! :)

shortnorthstudent · May 18, 2010

I dont' know that you're missing 11 programs, but also in Central Ohio there's Hondros and Clark State

jennylouwho · May 23, 2010

I don't think there's a shortage in any area right now - due to the economy. That said, I'm still going into nursing because I have a passion for it. But, I'm also doing things that will hopefully set myself apart from other candidates when I do graduate.

RNcpac · May 25, 2010

It won't matter that you set yourself apart. I too thought, well there's a saturation, but I'm special and I'll be able to find a job.

Trust me, recruiters won't even take your call if you can't answer "yes" to the question "Do you have 1 year of acute care experience practicing the nursing process?" Clinicals won't count, it has to be a job. A few months of work won't count either, as I worked as a med-passing aide, nearly the exact same job as a nurse, but getting paid $8/hr for 6 months.

I've sent over 200 resumes and applications in the Toledo, Sylvania, Perrysburg, Maumee, Holland, Detroit, and Monroe, MI areas including LTCs, Psych care, Physician offices, Acute Care, Urgent Care, And Rehab - and I have 2 state licenses, and no job. I had 1 interview for a PRN job - working 4 days out of the month, and that went to the experienced nurse. I've called places in the area I never knew existed and asked if they're hiring RNs and they say NO. They won't let me work as an STNA because of my license as an RN.

If you want loans and debt and no job, and then told you're overqualified to even find a part time job to keep your roof over your head, go into nursing. Unless you have enough money to move to another state, I don't advise nursing in this area with this many schools sending out new grads every few months. It's been the biggest mistake of my life, and embarrassing to tell family and friends I can't get employed when the media tells them there's a shortage. :nurse:

TipitiwichitRN · Jun 19, 2010

It won't matter that you set yourself apart. I too thought, well there's a saturation, but I'm special and I'll be able to find a job.
Trust me, recruiters won't even take your call if you can't answer "yes" to the question "Do you have 1 year of acute care experience practicing the nursing process?" Clinicals won't count, it has to be a job. A few months of work won't count either, as I worked as a med-passing aide, nearly the exact same job as a nurse, but getting paid $8/hr for 6 months.
I've sent over 200 resumes and applications in the Toledo, Sylvania, Perrysburg, Maumee, Holland, Detroit, and Monroe, MI areas including LTCs, Psych care, Physician offices, Acute Care, Urgent Care, And Rehab - and I have 2 state licenses, and no job. I had 1 interview for a PRN job - working 4 days out of the month, and that went to the experienced nurse. I've called places in the area I never knew existed and asked if they're hiring RNs and they say NO. They won't let me work as an STNA because of my license as an RN.
If you want loans and debt and no job, and then told you're overqualified to even find a part time job to keep your roof over your head, go into nursing. Unless you have enough money to move to another state, I don't advise nursing in this area with this many schools sending out new grads every few months. It's been the biggest mistake of my life, and embarrassing to tell family and friends I can't get employed when the media tells them there's a shortage.

I totally agree- Cleveland here! Soo many nurses! Sooo many! I keep thinking that at least some of them are in it for the wrong reasons- making it a REALLY tight squeeze for those of us that love it. (??)

I graduate in Dec. I have a PCA spot now. If I take NCLEX in February (and pass!) then what? They keep me as a PCA? They fire me if there is not a spot for me? Do I put off NCLEX until they offer me a spot....who the heck knows. all I can do is bust my butt and cross my fingers.

I have been telling everyone I know about this shortage- just because of the embarrassment factor.

Original Poster: Right now- RUN to something else, UNLESS you really :redbeathe nursing. And even then- have a back up plan....

foreverLaur · Jun 19, 2010

I've heard some people say just that - CLE is very saturated. On the other hand, I just had 6 high school classmates graduate from Kent, Otterbein, and Capital who have jobs waiting for them at UH and Cleveland Clinic as new grads. So what is going on?

Luckily, I still want to be a nurse so I'm still going to go to nursing school. My job (at a pharmacy) will keep me forever or until I find a nursing job and we also have infusion clinics I can work in as a RN to get experience if I need to.

I hope everyone with a true passion for nursing finds a great job soon!! I also hope this nursing shortage stuff stops so people who are going into nursing for the $$ and supposed job security stop so those of us with a passion for nursing can get jobs.

Best of luck to everyone still job huting.