Pittsburgh Nurses...is there a shortage?

hi Kittyhawk,

I read an article in the post gazette a few months ago about the nursing shortage here in Pittsburgh. There was actually a lot of comments made by the director of the nursing school that I will be attending next month. And if i remember correctly, Im pretty sure that it was about there STILL being a shortage. Im bored right now, so I'll try to find the article for you :chuckle :rotfl:

Yes there is still a need for nurses in Pittsburgh. Any of the major health systems, West Penn Allegheny, Mercy or UPMC have bigs ads in the paper every Sun.

Yes there is still a need for nurses in Pittsburgh. Any of the major health systems, West Penn Allegheny, Mercy or UPMC have bigs ads in the paper every Sun.

I will qualify that by saying that there are more than enough nurses in this area to fill the openings you see in the paper. However, until these big institutions mentioned above learn to give reasonable patient to nurse ratios and ban manditory overtime the current shortage will continue.

I will qualify that by saying that there are more than enough nurses in this area to fill the openings you see in the paper. However, until these big institutions mentioned above learn to give reasonable patient to nurse ratios and ban manditory overtime the current shortage will continue.

Thanks for the insight Oramar, can you say if one system is better than the other? Is the mandatory ot across the board at both?

I'm asking in terms of West Penn sys vs UPMC. I'm guessing that depending which route I take in terms of nursing school (I'm waffling between CCAC and UPMC but still I'm still in prereqs I have time to weigh my decision carefully) I would have to choose one over the other. I'm sure you could technically apply at either, but I'm sure you'd stand a better shot of getting hired someplace that you did clinicals.

Thanks for the insight Oramar, can you say if one system is better than the other? Is the mandatory ot across the board at both?

I've heard from many folks to stay away from Mercy, since the nuns do not run it, it's gone to * in a handbasket. I suppose that is all in perception though.

I'm asking in terms of West Penn sys vs UPMC. I'm guessing that depending which route I take in terms of nursing school (I'm waffling between CCAC and UPMC but still I'm still in prereqs I have time to weigh my decision carefully) I would have to choose one over the other. I'm sure you could technically apply at either, but I'm sure you'd stand a better shot of getting hired someplace that you did clinicals.

Michele

UPMC is a good school from what Ive heard, thats where my mom went to school. She also worked there for two years because they have full tuition reimbursement, but she absolutely hated working for UPMC. She applied to AGH as soon as her two years were up. Then again, that was over 20 years ago, so alot couldve changed.

Im curious as to what you've heard about Mercy. Thats where I decided to go, and will be starting there in a month.

ThNKS!

UPMC is a good school from what Ive heard, thats where my mom went to school. She also worked there for two years because they have full tuition reimbursement, but she absolutely hated working for UPMC. She applied to AGH as soon as her two years were up. Then again, that was over 20 years ago, so alot couldve changed.

Im curious as to what you've heard about Mercy. Thats where I decided to go, and will be starting there in a month.

ThNKS!

Hi Megs,

Oh no, please take my input w/a grain of salt! Even though I've been around the block so to speak, I'm still quite the newbie w/all this nursing stuff. I've heard that Mercy lost the "caring" touch and everything is so much more politicized by the "suits". More or less meaning the almighty dollar means more than caring for the patient. Same type of thing when St. Francis closed the doors, many were sad...it's an era gone.

As I said, it's all in perception though. I'm sure there are many people who love Mercy. I sort of equate it to some people will drop classes b/c of a teacher, others have no problem w/same teacher.

Hi Megs,

Oh no, please take my input w/a grain of salt! Even though I've been around the block so to speak, I'm still quite the newbie w/all this nursing stuff. I've heard that Mercy lost the "caring" touch and everything is so much more politicized by the "suits". More or less meaning the almighty dollar means more than caring for the patient. Same type of thing when St. Francis closed the doors, many were sad...it's an era gone.

As I said, it's all in perception though. I'm sure there are many people who love Mercy. I sort of equate it to some people will drop classes b/c of a teacher, others have no problem w/same teacher.

thanks, I was a little worried for a minute there! :chuckle I guess the way I look at it is that I only have to work there for two years (to get the sign-on bonus), so even if I totally hate the politics, etc., Im sure I can stick it through for two years. Plus that way, when Im done with my two years, Ill have some experience to put on my resume! :)

There are tons of jobs in the Pittsburgh area. Open up the Sunday paper. UPMC and AGH are the big ones, but there are plenty of other hosp and LTC centers to find a job. Don't worry at all.