The Shortage Myth in Politics

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Meg Whitman, the billionaire former CEO of eBay and current Reep gubanatorial candidate in California, just sent a campaign flyer to me in which she, among other things, says, "We must... address the nursing shortage" by expanding nursing programs in the CSU and UC systems.

One very rich lady who's very out -- of -- touch with the reality of nursing.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

How funny.. one would hope our potential elected officials would do a little research on the platforms they are hoping to use to get voters.

Does this give you confidence in her ability to govern the 'people'? lol

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I just sent her an email, maybe others can do the same?

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

The nursing shortage is still a reality. Hospitals might be cutting back now hiding behind the excuse of the poor economy but that does not negate the fact that many nurses will be retiring as our population ages and needs more care. FWIW I know there are new graduates that have not been able to get a job quickly or their dream job right out of school, as has always been the case with most occupations, but there are still positions open for experienced nurses. FWIW one of my units just hired 6 new graduates, I started 2 new jobs in the past year and was offered a third that I declined so there are jobs out there just not as many as in the past few years.

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
The nursing shortage is still a reality. Hospitals might be cutting back now hiding behind the excuse of the poor economy but that does not negate the fact that many nurses will be retiring as our population ages and needs more care. FWIW I know there are new graduates that have not been able to get a job quickly or their dream job right out of school, as has always been the case with most occupations, but there are still positions open for experienced nurses. FWIW one of my units just hired 6 new graduates, I started 2 new jobs in the past year and was offered a third that I declined so there are jobs out there just not as many as in the past few years.

Jules,

Are you in California?

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Meg Whitman, the billionaire former CEO of eBay and current Reep gubanatorial candidate in California, just sent a campaign flyer to me in which she, among other things, says, "We must... address the nursing shortage" by expanding nursing programs in the CSU and UC systems.

One very rich lady who's very out -- of -- touch with the reality of nursing.

Thats a major part of politicians problem they are out of touch with reality and what EVERYDAY Americans go through. In uncertain times (economy/affect from health care bill) facilities dont want to hire people they have to train since it costs money, but Im sure you all know that. I was googling articles the other day and I found articles from about 10 years ago and people were ranting how there wasnt even a shortage and why do politcians/nurse recruiters keep saying that.

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.
The nursing shortage is still a reality. Hospitals might be cutting back now hiding behind the excuse of the poor economy but that does not negate the fact that many nurses will be retiring as our population ages and needs more care. FWIW I know there are new graduates that have not been able to get a job quickly or their dream job right out of school, as has always been the case with most occupations, but there are still positions open for experienced nurses. FWIW one of my units just hired 6 new graduates, I started 2 new jobs in the past year and was offered a third that I declined so there are jobs out there just not as many as in the past few years.

Maybe Meg should spend a portion of that money to keep current new grads without work for several months or more up to snuff...like training programs. They are worried about what will happen when all these nurses retire and there really is a nursing shortage, but they are currently wasting money if they are going to continue to train new grads and then not give them a job and then expect them to perform well when the nursing shortage actually does hit.

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No matter the reality of the nursing shortage vs. Nurse hiring how will expanding nursing programs help? Yes, eventually that might be necessary but what really needs to happen is increased funding for hospitals to allow them to hire more new graduates. This will help the nursing shortage and the unemployment rate. However, I'm sure that is easier said than done, but I don't understand how expanding nursing programs is going to do anything but flood the California system more.

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I'm a new LPN grad ( will take NCLEX-PN tomorrow ) here in FL. I see the problem as giving to many VISA's to non citizen's to prop up the notion of a nurse shortage. There is no prejudice in my statement because I am truly a minority in nursing. Str8t, male, black. and 6' 6" in the south and a GPN.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Jules,

Are you in California?

Ooops is this the California only section? Sorry I must have missed that. :rolleyes:

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
Ooops is this the California only section? Sorry I must have missed that. :rolleyes:

Jules, I asked because the OP is about the gubernatorial candidate in California, Meg Whitman, saying what she would do to alleviate the "nursing shortage" in California.

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