shortage of nursing jobs?

Okhotneek · Jul 27, 2008

Low wages might have to do with cost of living in the area... However, where I'm from (Louisiana) wages just suck for everything. It doesn't really have much to do with demand of anything, the economy has always been horrible there. If you're not experienced in the oil field, working offshore or in another country then you're not going to get paid (obviously I'm excluding careers like Dr's, lawyers, etc). There are just so many factors going into wages and the economy in different areas.

If you're worried, maybe you could try getting a job as a patient assistant or CNA for a hospital you're interested in. You would have a leg up on the competition. You would get a chance to experience the company culture and decide if you like it or if you want to move on. I wouldn't worry about finding a job. In almost every career, people have trouble finding a decent job. One of my friends graduated school with a bachelors in behavioral science in 2006 and still hasn't found a job. She's had to work as a temp while job searching :-( So cheer up, if your heart is in to nursing then I wouldn't worry about problems until they happen.

Mijourney · Jul 27, 2008

Yes, I agree. I would not worry about a situation until you're faced with it. Meanwhile, focus on doing well in school, getting a tech job, if that's feasible, and maintaining a professional stance. Make sure your cover letter and resume is top notch as well. Best wishes.

metalgirl70 · Jul 27, 2008

Thanks for the input!

I am planning on signing up to volunteer at the hospital, but I can't afford to quit my current non-health care job to work as a CNA or something of that sort.

Okhotneek · Jul 27, 2008

Thanks for the input!
I am planning on signing up to volunteer at the hospital, but I can't afford to quit my current non-health care job to work as a CNA or something of that sort.

I honestly wouldn't worry about it. With being in school fulltime, a hubby that works at least 50 hours a week and a 3 year old...I honestly have no time for volunteer work/prt time job. If I graduate and have trouble finding a job, well then it's not meant to be at the moment and I'll focus on getting my BSN. If I have trouble after that then I'll have more time for a graduate program :-) Don't stress about this right now. The facts that we're being fed are saying nurses are in demand....if they're misleading us there isn't much we can do about it. You'll stress yourself out over problems that haven't happened yet. Focus on making it through school and try to see the upside of everything. Life is so full of opportunites, you just have to notice them when they are there. I promise things will work out in the end.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2008

California has the highest wages of RNs in the nation, of course parts of California has the highest cost of living too. Also, California is the most densely populated state, and the need for RNs is greater.

There are patches around the country where there are plenty of nurses and opportuntities for new grads are tight and competetive and thus wages are lower.

If one is willing to work any shift/any job opportunities are there, especially if the nurse is also willing to be mobile and move to where the jobs are.

Music in My Heart · Jul 28, 2008

Hello,
I am currently working on my preresquisite classes and will be applying to nursing school next year. I thought that nursing jobs were plentiful and there was a shortage of nurses. But as I read this message board I am reading time and time again of new nurses not being able to find jobs or being offered low wages.
My mom has been an RN for 35 years, makes very good money and says there are always new grads starting at her hospital, and they always need more help.
So is the job market really that different from region to region? I'm in California, and new nurses here start in the $25-35 per hour and there seems to be plenty of job opportunities. What am I not understanding here when I read about people not being able to find jobs or being offered wages that start in the teens?
I'm confused!
Thanks!

It appears to be all about locale. Jobs for new grads in this region (SF-Sac region) are very competitive.

metalgirl70 · Jul 28, 2008

I do live in the Sacramento, CA region, and my mom works in med-surg at Mercy Hospital. She says they hire new grads all the time.

This is starting to worry me, since I'm leaving my current career because the recession has slowed business down so much. I'm 37 years old with a family, house, etc, and I can't afford to get in another career where I'll have a difficult time making a living, shoot, I already have that now!

Thanks for all the input everyone.

Music in My Heart · Jul 28, 2008

Metalgirl, check your PM.

Curious: What career are you considering leaving?

metalgirl70 · Jul 30, 2008

When I was 19 I went to cosmetology school and got a license to do hair. While I worked in that field, I continued on with college and got a

bachelor's degree in marketing and worked in that field for 8 years or so doing sales jobs, while still working in the salon part time as well. I don't do sales anymore, I don't really have the 'sales mentality'.

Now, I own a small salon, but with the slow down of the economy, the business is just falling apart. I am getting out of my share of the ownership of the salon. Frankly, I can barely afford to pay the overhead. Also, the business taxes and paying for my own health insurance is expensive. I have MS, so my insurance premiums are expensive. I have seen a continual fall in salon services since January of this year. I just don't want to go through another recession in a customer service job.

So, I had always wanted to do nursing and even took some science courses and pharmacology when I was getting my marketing degree. I didn't go that route at that time, since I was close to getting the marketing degree.

Anyway, now it's time to pursue that. I hope to get a BSN and maybe even a master's degree in nursing.

So that's my story!:loveya:

Music in My Heart · Jul 30, 2008

Since you have a Bachelors degree, take a look at the 2nd-degree program at Sac State. They were originally going to have it be a direct-entry Masters program but that hasn't worked out for some reason.

metalgirl70 · Jul 30, 2008

I've looked a little bit into that program. Is it the accelerated BSN that you are referring to? If so, my problem with doing an accelerated program is that it doesn't allow you to work part time while going to school. I do still have to work part time, you know I have mega bills like everyone , so I need to have some income. I will continue working part time my at salon, as an stylist, not an owner.

I'll look a the Sac State page again though.

I am afraid to apply to Sac State since I don't have any medical field experience or any foreign language fluency. Those are the things that give you extra points, so without them, I don't know if I can compete.

Thanks!