Ok, so where is the nursing shortage?

crazensweet · May 29, 2008

The state of massachusetts is the #1 state for the highest concentration of nurses at close to 79,000 registered nurses. The other state is Californian. Thats probably why.... I moved to RI...shortage here...but my girlfriends in Mass. are having the same problem new grads.....no jobs.....

KCRN63 · May 29, 2008

Please move to Kansas City!

Promin · May 30, 2008

The state of massachusetts is the #1 state for the highest concentration of nurses at close to 79,000 registered nurses. The other state is Californian. Thats probably why.... I moved to RI...shortage here...but my girlfriends in Mass. are having the same problem new grads.....no jobs.....

You should not compare Massachusetts and California. California has established nurse-to-patient ratios and therefore require more nurses per 1000of population. Compare 6 patient per nurse and 5 patient per nurse on general med/surg in Mass and California respectively. Nurses are overloaded and underpaid significantly in Massachusetts.

crazensweet · May 30, 2008

Excuse me.....I was in know way comparing Mass and Cali....I was just stating the facts according to the United States Labor Statistics...But please explain to the original post from "Babysweetpea" why she cannot find a job.....that my dear is the question......

Promin · May 30, 2008

She can not find the job because the ratios are not right. If Mass had ratios like Cali does, all the new grads had no problem getting a job. The best bet in this situation is to consider getting a first experience in a different state.

crazensweet · May 30, 2008

good point

Promin · May 30, 2008

Tinytessa31, how do you like it in RI? What's the average pay rate for nurses? What's the cost of living? How far are you from Boston?

Promin · May 30, 2008

It seems like nurses don't get paid much in RI either. I've heard that the pay rate in NYC in pretty good. But the patient load may be quite high as well.

crazensweet · May 30, 2008

I personally dont like it in RI at all, but wouldnt want to move back to mass either, Its funny I just started a thread on the starting pay rate in RI....asking why does the surrounding states Mass and Ct. pay more. Its about $23 ph I hear (appx. 47,000) . I live about 20 minutes from the border of CT. and Mass and about 1 hours from boston.....so thats good.

kstec, LPN · May 30, 2008

I live far away from you, but Illinois is short nurses. RN's especially. LPN's are of course in high demand in hospitals, and RN's in the 3 hospitals we have. Pay is pretty good, and with the shortage in the hospitals, the bonuses are also good. Just alittle FYI. Oh and by the way, the nurse/patient ratio in the hospitals aren't that bad. Nursing homes, it depends on where you work, private pay vs. medicaid/medicare, Good luck in your search.

Davisk01 · May 31, 2008

:nurse: I am currently a second year nursing student and I have heard the stories of not being able to find jobs here in Massachusetts. I actually work at a Worcester hospital and know quite a few new grads who also WORK HERE and could not get hired as RN's. We had a recruiter from Florida Hospital system come up to talk to us about their training programs. I am planning on moving to Florida for a few years (with my son) to train in their link to your future program and get my BSN through them as well. After the 2 years of experience (I realize the pay is lower) I plan on moving back to the northeast (unless I fall in love with Florida). And YES, I know about the low pay, and the traffic and the hot weather and all of the negatives but I feel it is worth it to get some great training in to further my career.

Katie