State of NC Nursing

cynth-cynth · Aug 2, 2004

Hello all - just wanted to get a conversation going about how we are doing in NC. What do you think the strengths and weaknesses are in the profession of nursing? I personally think that the nursing profession has changed drastically in the past several years - some good, some bad changes. What do you think?

I am concern about the nursing shortage in NC. Nursing school is very difficult, I myself is in my second year of nursing school in a two-year community college. My problem is I think the board of nursing here in NC should consider every student who has met the requirements of being a aide, LPN, RN., apply for what-ever test is necessary. After the fall semester I will have enough credits to a least sit for the LPN test, but the college says no due to they also have a LPN program that takes 3 semester. I feel LPN's can also help with the nursing shortage if all colleges would let students apply. Help me spread the word maybe someone will listen.:rotfl:

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Aug 3, 2004

Hi folks and welcome to the NC forum .... it is nice to have you. In terms of the topic, I have found that NC is not experiencing the nursing shortage to the point that it is being experienced in other parts of the country. According to the NCBON, the % of RN vacancy in the State is

However, NC will begin to feel the effects of the nursing shortage, much like every other state. There are several web sites that are dedicated to the NC future nursing shortage. You can link through the BON web site or you can do a goggle search for North Carolina Center for Excellence and get some really great information. :rolleyes:

cynth-cynth · Aug 3, 2004

Hi folks and welcome to the NC forum .... it is nice to have you. In terms of the topic, I have found that NC is not experiencing the nursing shortage to the point that it is being experienced in other parts of the country. According to the NCBON, the % of RN vacancy in the State is
However, NC will begin to feel the effects of the nursing shortage, much like every other state. There are several web sites that are dedicated to the NC future nursing shortage. You can link through the BON web site or you can do a goggle search for North Carolina Center for Excellence and get some really great information.

I also did a presentation on the issue of why NC will have a nursing shortage in the future. Through my research I came across the problem of that the issue was not the student enrollment in nursing schools, it was NC does not attract nursing instructors that would love to teach. In my report the average nursing instructor was 52 years old, so image in the next 10-15 years from now those instructors will soon retire. We must attract nurses into the teaching field also.

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Aug 3, 2004

That is an excellent point. But I think the shortage of faculty is really becoming a bigger issue across the country. If you were to look at the majority of nursing programs .... most have a 1-2 year waiting list because they can not open new classes related to NO faculty. I would love to teach, but why would I take a teaching position that would pay me less than what I was making as a staff RN? It just does not make any sense to me. Also, if you are required to have a Master's degree to teach, then the college or university should be prepared to compensate RN's with an MSN in accordance to their degree and experience. :uhoh3:

Ok - I am now getting off my band wagon about this issue, but that is the reason there are not enough faculty across the country. And, I think you are correct .... perhaps the nursing shortage has not impacted NC like it has other States, but it is coming and the government and hospital systems need to brace for it, cause it isn't going to be a pretty picture here :crying2: .

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Aug 5, 2004

Through my research I came across the problem of that the issue was not the student enrollment in nursing schools, it was NC does not attract nursing instructors that would love to teach. In my report the average nursing instructor was 52 years old, so image in the next 10-15 years from now those instructors will soon retire.

Excellent point. From an insider, this is very much a problem. Lack of faculty at our cc is the one reason we have not expanded our program to allow more students. (We had 365 applicants for the current fall class, and only 42 seats available.) Faculty pay is poor. Very often, the students we graduate start out making more than we do. And, faculty across the state are "graying out" and beginning to retire en masse. There are not enough nurse educators in training to replace those who are about to retire.

We are facing a potential nursing crisis in NC. Even though the numbers seem "OK" on paper, the Nursing Task Force has recommended drastic action now to avert a crisis in the near future. One of the recommendations is stat training of new nurse educators.

Hospitals in my area of the eastern part of the state are desperate for nurses. One of the large teaching hospitals is scouring the globe looking for RN's. This hospital would shut down if it weren't for the Canadian nurses. The local hospital (for the first time in its history) is hiring travelers.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Aug 5, 2004

ok - i am now getting off my band wagon about this issue, but that is the reason there are not enough faculty across the country. and, i think you are correct .... perhaps the nursing shortage has not impacted nc like it has other states, but it is coming and the government and hospital systems need to brace for it, cause it isn't going to be a pretty picture here .

excellent post, patrick. one of the main problems is the "good-old-boy" network in the state assembly not adequately financing the community college system. the nc community college system is one of the best in the country, but the state legislature (in terms of funding) regards us as the "red-haired step child." in fact, the university system received last year one billion dollars more in funding than the community college system. this is shameful, considering it is the community college system that is picking up the pieces after the devastation of nafta, and equipping people with marketable job skills (nursing included!) so these people can go back to work.

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Aug 5, 2004

excellent post, patrick. one of the main problems is the "good-old-boy" network in the state assembly not adequately financing the community college system. the nc community college system is one of the best in the country, but the state legislature (in terms of funding) regards us as the "red-haired step child." in fact, the university system received last year one billion dollars more in funding than the community college system. this is shameful, considering it is the community college system that is picking up the pieces after the devastation of nafta, and equipping people with marketable job skills (nursing included!) so these people can go back to work.

joy - that is a terrible shame! i hope voters send a message to the state government this year and elect people into position that understand, appreicate and value to role that community colleges play in educating the population.