So I have a question.

[aniqueone1]

I keep reading that most likely there will be a nursing shortage for a long time but I can't help but think with so many people getting grants and going to nursing school that there will be an abundance of nurses here in a couple years. So wont that affect the job market and make it harder to get a job? Or is there really that much of a shortage. :confused:Thanks!

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I want to be a nurse because i love to help people and i want to make a difference. But i dont want to be stuck as a secretary somewhere because there aren't any positions available. Sigh. I dont mind traveling which is where i heard can come in handy by leasing yourself to different hospitals. Just so many different places make nursing look like the dream career i just don't want to have the wool pulled over my eyes and it be too late.

If you don't mind relocating, I would say your chances of finding new grad employment are much better. Also, if you are willing to work nursing homes or rehab, even for a temporary until you find something else, you are more likely to find work.

[jacobkelly]

No, I don't think so. There is no shortage of nurses in the medical industry. Moreover in coming days there is gonna be a cut-throat competition for nurse jobs. Let's see what lies in store for us. force factor

[skipaway]

Another perspective of the "glut of nurses" is that hospital systems are economically stressed too. They are putting hiring freezes in place as well as just not hiring as much staff as they should. Sometimes, you'll see jobs posted, but the managers are afraid to hire in to them b/c it affects the system's bottom line. Unless you're in a state with mandatory nurse/patient ratios, they will continue to do the same with less.

[Fiona59]

i agree with nrskarenrn. a lot of nurses in the field right now will be retiring either when the economy picks up or when they reach their retiring age, also the baby boomers of the 60's will retire with them so a lot of influx of patients for the hospitals and hopefully a lot of jobs for nurses.

i wouldnt hold my breath on that one. i personally know of four rns in the 70s who are collecting their pensions and working a .7fte and six lpns who are working and collecting their pensions. so much for retiring at 65.

the boomers i know (and i'm at the tail end of the boom) won't be retiring at 65 either. we either entered the workforce late after raising our children, so our pensions are tiny, or they took a major hit when the stock markets tanked. we might not be working full time but we will still be there a few days a week.

the average boomer is far healthier than their parent was at the same age. if anything, it will be the "old" old entering acute care in higher numbers. the last two shifts i worked the average age on a surgical patient was 82. the younger patients were either gsws or road rash victims from falling off their bikes (and these were in their 40s).

ltc might be an area with an increase in use but most nurse would rather gouge their eyes out with a fork than work there.