So, what happened to all the nursing jobs?

[RaycerX]

Can anyone tell me. "What happened to all the nursing jobs." For the last few years all you read was that there will be a nursing shortage till, at least 2020. That getting a nursing job was as easy as shooting fish in a barrel. Articles were saying that even in a recession nursing would be immune because people still need healthcare.

So, what happened. Is it really the economy? Have all the vacancies been filled? What about the huge bonuses nurses were getting to sign with a hospital? Some of my own relatives got these bonuses so I know they were real. Now some of them are seeing their hours and benefits cut. Besides the recession (which is a big thing) are there other factors involved?

The nursing profession is starting to remind me of when they encouraged everyone to become programmers...and then the outsourcing began. You can't really outsource nursing, but it's the same situation. Encourage young people in droves to go into a profession, but then a few short years later the field dries up. It's a shame, really.

Ray

[worldtraveler]

hpcat--Right you are! I came into Nursing from Heavy Industry and the Construction fields both of which were unionized so I had years of actual work experience and the benefits of working with Union Representation. I also saw on my first couple jobs out out of highschool how it was to work in a Nonunion work enviroment. Simply, there was NO comparison, it was a difference as stark as day and night. Now that Jobs are tight and Nurses are being squeezed for more productivity( read increased Nurse to patient staffing ratios, the dreaded floating) you see Nurses like the Minn Nurses saying "No Mas". Its astounding what I have seen Nurses asked to do in my 20 yr career, had I not witnessed it personally, I wouldn't have believed it possible. Last night in a discussion with a Metro Cop in Miami we were discussing wages. He informed me that a Dispatcher with only a HS Diploma is knocking down a 6 figure salary($100,000+) as is he, who also has only a HS Diploma but also last year grossed over $130,000. How is this possible you may ask, this wage disparity between a police dispatcher and a Nurse with an Education? Union Representation is why as they have a very strong aggressive union to fight for their interests. What more can one say looking at this wage disparity? And,some Cops as well as Firemen here have hit the $200,000+ Salary Level. Kind of makes one wonder about why someone invests so much into nursing school when you see these Civil servants earning these astronomical 6 figure salaries. Not to forget, depending on their Union contracts, some of these police/firemen will earn minimally 70% to as high as 100% of their high 3 salary years(average) as a lifelong pension in which most contribute not a dime towards--none of this 401 nickel-dime plan many private industry Nurses get but a defined benefit plan that is the Gold Standard of the Pension plans. Sadly, most of these young Nurses without any other work experience don't have a clue as to the benefits of working with Union Representation but they soon will get some first hand experience when they are handed off 20-40 patients(acuity 3 level) to care for in a Nursing home enviroment with 1 Aide. Happened to me so I speak from experience. Reality will strike home at that point in time.

[Italia377]

Apply as rehabilation centers because one you get like 1 yr or 2 yrs under your belt all hospitals will hire you.

[SENSUALBLISSINFL, BSN, RN]

I will never understand why our country sabotages its own citizens so much. You would think this economic crisis would be a "kick in the rear" wake up call. I wonder how long this nonsense is going to go on. It's so backward, it's infuriating.

I so agree...

I am all for bringing foreigners to our country to fill in for jobs that have vacancies that cannot be filled by Americans, but in this particular profession, is time that we get the opportunity to fill those vacancies. I have since graduated since I replied to this post, so now what? Where do I get a job? NO ONE IS HIRING NEW GRADUATES HERE, how about getting a shot a a job.? I soon will take the boards and I see myself working in the ophthalmology field again without the benefit to practice the profession I graduated from because no one will hire a new graduate.