So where IS the nursing shortage?

[milliesmom88]

There was recently a post wondering if there is a nursing shortage, and I think the general consensus was that there is, but only in certain pockets of the country. The only place I could tell was specifically mentioned was Kentucky.

My family and I are HAPPY to leave the area we are in when I finish school, and would love to find a new spot in the country. The only thing we really want require are good public schools. Second priority is pay; I'm leaving a 6 figure job and it would be tough to go anywhere for less than 50k. I understand that this is higher than some parts of the country, and I'm happy to work overtime to get there (but I know there are places where OT isn't available). I'm working anywhere from 50-80 hours a week now, so it would still be a cut back from my current hours.

So if you live in a place where you say there's a nursing shortage, where is it? And are good public schools available?

[AceOfHearts<3]

What area of the country do you currently live in?

Northeast PA (Scranton, Wilkes Barre area) has a shortage. I've never personally worked there, but I had considered it. It's about 2 hours from NYC and Philly and less than 4 hours from DC.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Shortage areas tend to be low-desirability places where few people are flocking to live...such as south Georgia, eastern Oklahoma, rural Kansas, eastern Kentucky, eastern Tennessee, and so forth.

These places have a few commonalities that reduce their desirability such as dreadfully humid summer weather, more poverty than the national average, low wages, and local populations with low educational attainment.

[Buyer beware, BSN]

I think rural nursing is experiencing shortage; it always seems to have. If you are willing to move to a place like Kentucky, ND, SD, (as mentioned in the other thread) or other rural area, likely you will find a job. The shortages often exist, however, where pay and compensation are not huge. But then again, the cost of living in such places is also very low.

The schools in such places are often good, but I guess how you define "good" can be different than others may. What is a "good" school in your definition?

SBE, you got it!

This is one of the many topics (nursing shortage) that as the great Joni Mitchell defined as going round and round and round in the "Circle Game.''

The other topic is that for-profit schools "have a few negatives."

What a joke and the joke is always on the gullible, caring nurses.

I know. I used to be one. Gullible that is.

[Buyer beware, BSN]

$45K-$50K. Great compared to what. Oh, that's right, Micky Ds, Taco Bell, and Burger King.

[milliesmom88]

Currently in Memphis, TN. I've looked at several areas in Penn and like quite a few. Will have to check out Scranton area, thanks!

[milliesmom88]

Thank you to everyone who has responded. We are researching the locations you've mentioned and hope to find somewhere we love in the next couple of years. Keep them coming!

[EllaBella1, BSN]

People love to hate on Florida, but plenty of jobs here, even for new grads. My base pay my first year was $50,225 without diffs, and $58,649 with night shift diff. Plus then $1.95 for weekends too and plenty of overtime opportunities if you want them. Like I said, for whatever reason people hate on the pay in florida, but I think it's largely unwarranted.

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

Most parts of NC have shortages. Even the major hospitals in major metropolitan areas that are desirable places to live hire new grads to specialty units in droves. New grad pay is somewhere around $21-$23/hr.