What nursing shortage????

Nurses General Nursing

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We hear all of this news about nursing shortages affecting all states, and all areas of nursing. There are literally hundreds of open nursing positions in my geographical area. So, why is it that I can't get a new job?

I have applied for different postings in different facilities. I have great experience and even greater references. But I seem to hear the same thing over and over..."We're looking for someone with experience in this area, but we do have many opportunities available in ICU."

I have worked ICU and CCU for three years, with two years of med/surg prior to that. I am TIRED of ICU. I don't understand why these recruiters can't grasp the concept--if I was interested in ICU, I would have applied for ICU.

Does anyone have similar experience, suggestions, or comments??

I really like how the question was phrased "so what is your time worth". I am a new mother trying to find my way as a new mom, wife, homemaker, and a career woman.

I was wondering why it is so hard to find a nursing job that allows job sharing, 4 or 6 hours shifts, one shift-no swinging, or just to be supportive of families in general.

Does anyone have any suggestions to how to find a nursing job that fits into one of these catagories?

Specializes in Long Term Care.
I really like how the question was phrased "so what is your time worth". I am a new mother trying to find my way as a new mom, wife, homemaker, and a career woman.

I was wondering why it is so hard to find a nursing job that allows job sharing, 4 or 6 hours shifts, one shift-no swinging, or just to be supportive of families in general.

Does anyone have any suggestions to how to find a nursing job that fits into one of these catagories?

I worked PRN for a while before I got on full-time where I am now. I filled in a day here, there, ect. The one hospital I worked for wanted me to work 3-twelves and then come in for four hours to make 40. Most places will want you to orient on all three shifts as quickly as possible before you are PRN.

You might look into LTC. Even if this type of nursing does not appeal to you, there is always going to be work that needs doing.

Specializes in Government.

Jami, RN said:

I can tell you from my recruiting experience that nothing turns recruiters or managers off more than a know-it-all, entitled, "I'm going to tell you what job you'll hire me for" RN. These types of nurses tend to be rude, show up in inappropriate attire, be unprepared for interviews, demand more money than new grads are being paid and expect special treatment and accomodations.

I spent many years as a nurse manager for a disability management firm and did hire/fire/interviews. These were office and case management RN jobs. I had hundreds of nurses show up in cut offs, flip flops, halter tops....high, drunk, looking like they'd rolled out of bed...you name it. We worked in cubes and I found out that one of our easiest screening tools was to show the office space right away. Many of these nurses had fantasized about a big private office of their own with their own secretary!

I'm not saying this applies to anyone here. I did just want to support the point Jami was making. It's a jungle out there!

A good friend of mine is an RN who does hospital recruiting. She says they rarely hire ICU RNs for floor nursing because they have found that many do not make the transition to high patient load and running room to room. I've never been an ICU nurse but in Pediatrics I'd often find myself with 20 patients at night, maybe more if there were sick calls. I spent more time flying through the halls than in rooms!

I agree with the post from llg. When I signed on with our facility i saw that in action. Many of the people that were hired around the same time that I was left after fulfilling their time requirement to keep the sign on bonus. Many hours and dollars went into orientation and precepting these people. Yes we were all told the same story that upon graduation...we could "name our price" This is simply not the case. I still believe that we are very much needed. Perhaps what some people are experiencing is that certain areas of nursing may have a greater need.

No but if you do find out let me know too! It is very difficult to manage time and care for your family with limited shifts available. PRN may help ease the strain a little which is what I did. I still somehow manage to sign up for days in which family activities fall because our schedule is required to be filled out 6 weeks in advance. I haven't been able to forecast the future to that accuracy yet :rolleyes:

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