no nursing shortage?

NancyRN · Oct 1, 2003

When other workers had this type of problem, they unionized. If every nurse in America belonged to the same union and walked off the job tomorrow, maybe they'd hear us.

Nursekatydid · Oct 1, 2003

I am looking at hospitals in Chicago (I will be a new grad in May.) I was talking to the nurse recruiter for The University of Illinois Medical Center and in the conversation she told me that they really had no openings for nurses. My jaw hit the floor, I couldn't believe she was saying this to me. I felt a little insulted b/c she acted like I was annoying her and she really didn't want to talk to me. Oh well, her loss!!!!!!!

roxannekkb · Oct 1, 2003

Originally posted by Nursekatydid
I am looking at hospitals in Chicago (I will be a new grad in May.) I was talking to the nurse recruiter for The University of Illinois Medical Center and in the conversation she told me that they really had no openings for nurses. My jaw hit the floor, I couldn't believe she was saying this to me. I felt a little insulted b/c she acted like I was annoying her and she really didn't want to talk to me. Oh well, her loss!!!!!!!

When I read your post, I was hit with a wave of curiosity...I looked up the U of Illinois med center on the Internet, and check out their job openings. They've got quite a few listed, staff, float and per diem. So either this listing is just for show, or it's old, or maybe they're looking for experienced nurses rather than new grads?

But I have heard that before, from nurses who said that recruiters never call them back even though there are hundreds of jobs advertised. Or they meet recruiters at job fairs who are all enthused, and then never hear a word.

I'm sure you'll find a great job. But as I said, I was curious, and your story does fit the pattern of many others I have been hearing.

renerian, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2003

I hate to say this but as an RN of 17 years I have been laid off six times due to budget cuts. Please do not think you are immune from a lay off. Now you can always find work if you want it just might not be where you want it.

renerian

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2003

Originally posted by Rocknurse
Well I don't get it! I'm still sitting here in the UK having passed my NCLEX a year and a half ago and I still can't find a job!!! My travel agency have been trying for 5 months now and I've only had one interview! What nursing shortage? I'm an ICU nurse with 10+ years experience and it looks like you just don't need me!

It sounds like it's time to get new agency representation. :)

I think it's funny how the media has glommed on to the shortage issue, but left out the rest-

"There's a shortage..." but not the

"...of nurses willing to work their assess off for (some might say) poor compensation in many regards and in unsafe situations that will eventually lead to continued illness and downward spiral of YOUR health...Back to you, Bob."

I also find that there are almost startling numbers of new grads coming out and saying, "What? WHAT jobs?" and feeling mislead because there IS a "shortage" (how I'm coming to loathe that word), but it's in geriatric facilities and LTC first, then adult intensive care, not in the pediatric clinic down the street or some of the other, more popular, units.

It irks me to no end to watch a broadcast or read an article talking about how the baby boomers are overwhelming in their number and need for health care in the next twenty years and yet largely not addressing the fact that nursing homes are unregulated, poorly staffed, often downright dangerous or negligent (and it is NOT the fault of the nurses!!!), and pay NOTHING compared to some hospital jobs. Not to mention LTC, extended stay, rehab, lack of assisted living resources, etc. and all of the types of healthcare that they will need as they begin to age.

IMO, if the baby boomers are as smart as they seem to have been (ie, my parents), they need to take all of that political energy they had in the 60's/70's and start lobbying and forcing the government to take care of this issue post haste because THEY are the ones who are going to be number 19 on their nurse's list of 34 patients who need to be tended to with the aid of one bitter and underpaid CNA.

I would LOVE to work with the geriatric population now, but there is simply no way I would do it the with the present issues in full swing. Not a chance. The minute they change that, I'd probably be one of the first in line to change areas of specialty. It's not safe as it is, and if I can't deliver quality care, I'm not doing it, period.

live4today, RN · Oct 2, 2003

AMEN....NICU NURSE!!! (applauding loudly) :kiss

shumarka · Oct 2, 2003

Originally posted by Rocknurse
Well I don't get it! I'm still sitting here in the UK having passed my NCLEX a year and a half ago and I still can't find a job!!! My travel agency have been trying for 5 months now and I've only had one interview! What nursing shortage? I'm an ICU nurse with 10+ years experience and it looks like you just don't need me!

My cousin is a foreign refugee who went to nursing school here in the States, and then needed a hospital to sponsor his green card. He had been working at one hospital that promised him they would sponsor him, and also gave him a $5,000 sign on bonus.

He had worked there for a year and had about a month left on his work visa (after which he would be deported!) When the moron nurse recruiter informed him that she had listed the job in the paper... and because she had two american applicants, she had to hire them! The nurse recruiter didn't tell anyone; just told him he'd have to find another job.

His manager was livid; (he is trilingual and already had a year of experience in that unit!) she took it to the CEO. They had a meeting. By this time, his visa had basically expired.

I went on the internet and found phone numbers for every hospital I could. In one day, I had 10 nurse recruiters calling me back, in a week he had three interviews. They were begging him to work for them-- and this with one year experience.

His original hospital finally got their crap together-- they ended up going to their congressman, who managed to pull strings with the INS to get his new visa faster so he could start working again!

In short-- there are obviously a lot of worthless recruiters out there. I can't believe they haven't found you a job in a year and a half! I bet I could find you one here in LA! I still have that list of phone numbers.

Cmyst · Oct 2, 2003

The hospital system I work for, Sutter Healthcare, located in Northern California with hospitals from the Sierra to the Coast and all around the San Francisco Bay area, recently sent about 10 Nurse Managers to the UK to recruit nurses. I think if you contacted them, they would be more than happy to interview you at the very least! The webpage for the hospital system is http://www.sutterhealth.org and you can search for jobs right on the system. What have you got to lose?

sjoe · Oct 2, 2003

"what are they doing about it?"

"They" are trying to increase the pool of cannon fodder by:

1) pushing for governments at various levels to pay for and subsidize expansions in nursing schools and other training centers

2) playing a game of robbing Peter to pay Paul by refusing to train nurses for specialties in demand, but instead trying to steal them from other employers by offering cars, bonuses, etc.

3) pushing for state legislatures to create and approve more categories of lesser-trained nurse replacments

4) pushing for the federal government to bring in more foreign nurses under expanded "special" visa programs

"They" are NOT, for the most part, creating more liveable and functional workplaces, providing RNs more options in designing programs, flexible work time, adequate pay, advanced training, competent supervision/management, etc.

The future does NOT look good for either nurses or patients, IMHO. I see nothing significant going on that would reverse the trends noted above.

I had to laugh watching the first part of Charlie Chaplin's "Modern Times" at the portrayal of "the factory boss." However, at least this factory boss gave some consideration to employee bathroom breaks and meals, which is more than I can say for many healthcare facilities.

Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP · Oct 2, 2003

Thanks everyone, for all your suggestions. I had hoped to go to Connecticut originally, which is where my fiancee lives, but after a while it became clear it wasn't going to happen so I said I would consider anywhere in the North East: NY, NJ, PA, RI, MA, CT etc... All they could come up with was Texas so I interviewed and got the job. After considering it I declined the offer because it was just too far to visit my fiancee and the contract was 21 months...a long time to be apart. They promised me a job in the NorthEast within 6 weeks, but that was over a month ago. I have had to postpone my embassy interview twice already and have a third date next week. I don't want to postpone it again as that is the day I am supposed to get my green card and we could go on like this indefintely.

So...I am interviewing tomorrow for a job in Arizona, and have been presented for 2 jobs in California and one in Georgia. I am scared and worried as I will be all alone in a strange country without my finacee and now we will have to pay for two apartments and two sets of bills. This is not what I had expected but it's too late to back out now. I am under contract and have to work for this agency for another 2 years.

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Oct 3, 2003

Definitely check out the jobs in California- California has better staffing rations than most parts of the country from what I understand, and they use a lot of travelers. Check out the Delphi forums for travel nursing and ask about the specific hospitals you're checking out- you may be able to get some really good feedback there. Of course, check out our own travel forum here, as well- it's fairly active (https://allnurses.com/f54).

Texas is much closer to CT, though! Airfare can be quite affordable here, so it's very possible that you and your fiance might be able to work out an arrangement (ie, you both fly to meet in the middle?).

Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP · Oct 3, 2003

Thanks NICU_Nurse. The job in Texas has gone now, and I have to rely on what my agency finds me. I can't apply for jobs independently as I am under contract. I interview for Arizona today and I am really hoping the one in Georgia works out next week...that's even closer!