The "shadow" RN workforce

[tjmrn]

I have been reading post after post, article after article about experienced RNs unable to find Nursing jobs as "re~entry" Nurses.

Along with that are the many stories of RNs working in other fields. From retail sales, through housekeeping ... to those who spent the time, energy and money to obtain ~alternative~ education for other professions.

When I went into Nursing, ~28 + years ago, it was exactly the opposite.

I was one of the youngest students in my class and most everyone else was entering Nursing as a "2nd profession".

I have been out of practice for ~ 8 years now, while keeping my Ca. lic current and active continuously throughout that time.

I am wondering what the statistics look like for RNs who work in other fields now.

From what I've been reading that should be a pretty sobering statistic.

And when anyone in Nursing administration tries to suggests there is a "Nursing Shortage", or tries to justify their inability to provide needed staff, such statistics should quiet their argument.

In a cursory explore, I did not find statistics that depict the issue of experienced RNs (with or without "active" status) who are either unemployed or working in other fields.

I see articles and studies related to New Grads, but not experienced RNs. I am very curious what that "picture" looks like. (For RNs who are "pre~retirement" age.)

Does anyone know of any studies done like that ?

I think light needs to be focused on the amount of education and experience that lays "in shadow" with regard to the Registered Nurse.

[caliotter3]

I do not think that researchers in general do not think any more of unemployed, experienced nurses than they do of any other unemployed person. There are plenty of unemployed people around everywhere, despite the government crowing about the "improving" unemployment rate. It isn't "improving" to the person who still can't get a job, or who said "forget it" and stopped looking at all.

[tjmrn]

caliotter3 ~

Thank you for your reply.

Yes, unemployment in general is not statistically depicted accurately / authentically.

But I am curious, specifically, about experienced RNs as it applies to the Nursing profession. I guess it is just a "sub~set" of the larger picture. But I'd love to see those numbers.

When I went into Nursing the "controversy" of the "business of Health Care" was just beginning to be articulated.

The advent of the "DRG" was hotly debated among Nurses of "my day".

Now, most hospitals are administered by big Corporations. With policy and procedure designed and implemented by administrators who often have no education or experience in health care in general, let alone the Nursing profession.

I would think someone in Nursing interested in promoting progress in their profession would want to know what this picture looks like currently.

I witnessed the struggle and eventual success of getting ratio standards defined and implemented in the Med / Surg arena of acute care Nursing. (In Ca.)

It was certainly a long time in coming.

As the landscape of Nursing changes these days, I see an opportunity for Nurses to reassert themselves in defending and promoting the professional standards we, as Nurses, represent and struggle to uphold.

I'm curious if anyone else sees it that way. ?