What The Bleep Happened To The Shortage?

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i live in boston, i graduated from a well known school of science with a bs in health sciences and then got my adn . i am more than qualified to work in a great hospital but i still can't find a job where i want to work so i have to ask...what the bleep happened to the shortage???????? :argue: every time someone says "oh, you won't have a problem getting a job as a nurse, there's such a demand" i just wanna kick them in the stomach but instead i say "oh no my friend, there are more nurses in ma than the states knows what to do with". i feel a little betrayed, schools don't tell you that the shortage is over in ma and go get a bsn because thats what hospitals really want and that's if you can get them to look at your resume :down:. does anyone else feel this way or am i just bitter that there is no shortage! :banghead:

God, is this depressing. I sold my house and moved my family to attend an accelerated BSN program starting this January (after spending 1.5yrs and thousands of dollars taking prereqs needed to be accepted to the program). The idea that I won't find a job 16 months from now at the end of this is BEYOND distressing...

I've been stunned by this thread as well. The idea that I'd really struggle to find a job after graduation was certainly not a key point made at any of the various ABSN info sessions I attended.

That said, I graduated from college first time around way back in 1987. The economy was terrible then too, and I'd lived through HS and college thru the 80's when things were pretty awful. My first job in my field was as a secretary -- and I felt lucky to have gotten it. And I still ended up making way into a career where I was happy and eventually paid well -- it just took a lot of determination and effort. Today I see that I'm better for it.

Looks like it might be that way again this time around with nursing!

Hang in there!:up:

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Specializes in OR-ortho, neuro, trauma.

After reading this thread for awhile I must put in my :twocents:. If you are a new grad looking to get into Boston hospitals, it wont happen. BUT there is more to MA then Boston. There are hospitals in Western Mass looking to hire RN's, new grads or with experience. Just because they are in Springfield doesn't mean you need to live in Springfield. There are a lot of beautiful towns around Springfield that have 0 crime.

Times are tough right now for everyone, and I can only hope that things get better quickly. Good luck to all of you in your search!!

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Specializes in ICU, PACU, OR.

You'll find a job, but it may not be your first choice. Then again, it might be.

I had to work where I graduated. After I worked there for 6 years, was turned down 2 places before I found the spot I ended up working at and loving for quite a long time.

You may also have to pull a couple of part time jobs, before a full time job turns up.

Here it has been harder to find a day job than afternoon or eves. People are wanting to sleep in later. Seems more of a productive day that way.

Completely opposite than years before.:zzzzz

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Specializes in Telemetry.

In theTwin Cities (Minnesota) Several of our larger hospital systems have just been having lay-offs. Lots of ancillary personnel, but nurses as well. 300 people at one hospital 200 at a large clinic system and another 200 at a larger hospital/clinic system.

We still get students at clinical saying that they will NEVER work nights or will "hold out until find a job with no weekends or holidays". We try to tell them to get started working in any capacity where they want to work as a nurse. It's easier to get hired if you already have a foot in the door. Most of them tell us their instructors say they won't have any problem getting whatever job they want.

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Specializes in ICU, PACU, OR.

NO one usually wants to work nights. But for some it works out well and they usually make the big money.

places are alot better today making a flexible schedule.

I remember 2weeks on days, 2 weeks on nights. Never could get used to it. Now you can work 12's 10's 8's weekend flex scheduling.

Bottom line new nurses.... You have to pay your dues. That goes for beginning job.

Don't look for favors, and usually they will plop in your lap. When you try to force things, usually you get disappointed.

Try to get one year under you belt, then you can start a travel career.

It's worth it.

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Specializes in telemetry, med-surg, home health, psych.

my best advice is, take whatever shift you can get....usually start out on nights then an opening will arise on days...but get your foot in the door by working nights, weekends, whatever they need...

If you are too picky you won't get a job...

I have seen many hold out and not working....others get their desired shift within a year....

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Specializes in ICU.
my best advice is, take whatever shift you can get....usually start out on nights then an opening will arise on days...but get your foot in the door by working nights, weekends, whatever they need...

If you are too picky you won't get a job...

I have seen many hold out and not working....others get their desired shift within a year....

There seem to be lots of folks posting from out of state who might not have a good handle on the job market here in MA. I don't think that it is a case of new grads here being "picky" as much as it is there being NO new grad positions at the hospitals in and around Boston. :(

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Specializes in Pediatric Psychiatry, Home Health VNA.

It is soooooo beyond the point of not being picky. If you look up the job opportunities on local hospital career pages you will see for yourself how few and far between nursing positions are. Here is a link to almost every hospital in MA: http://theagapecenter.com/Hospitals/Massachusetts.htm

See for yourself. Look how old many of the positions are. Some of the positions at these hospitals have been posted for years and remain unfilled due to budget constraints, not available nurses constraints. These positions are for experienced nurses only, most requiring two non-negotiable years of nursing experience to be hired. Look how few med-surg positions there are. 300 applicants per nursing position is the average ratio here. Sometimes weeks pass without a single nursing position posted at some hospitals. It is so difficult to explain the situation to experienced nurses, especially those from out-of-state who just don't get it. The only shortage here is a created one. Most hospitals are unionized or pay above average wage and to make that happen nurses work short or have little ancillary support. Many hospitals around here have nurses doing their own ADLs with patients or run 1 CNA per floor. I wish it was about being picky but the reality is that many hospitals are not even running new grad programs this winter because there's such a supply of experienced nurses. I hope everyone who doubts the severity of the situation looks through the link I provided to see for themselves what the RN job availability is out here.

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Specializes in OR-ortho, neuro, trauma.

Is Worcester an option? I was just looking at one hospital and yeah some jobs required experience but there were several jobs that did not.

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Specializes in Pediatric Psychiatry, Home Health VNA.

Yes, Worcester is an option....but I have been on the phone weekly with St. V's and UMass and their next new grad program is in January...new grads have to go through the program, and I was told their techs/employees get first preference.

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I guess this story sums up the problem here in MA

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/health/18298280/detail.html

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Specializes in ICU Neuro.

I sensed neither negativety or animosity in your post. Further, I agree with you in principle. However, you are speaking to a different topic. I agree that local staffing shortages often occur 'on purpose.' I am speaking to the national level of practicing nurses versus the number of open positions available. This would actually work to under report the nursing shortage because healthcare agencies never staff/hire an adequate number of staff in order to keep their overhead lower. For example, unit 'A' should have 26 nurses based on beds and acuity but is only budgeted for 24. The unit currently only has 20 nurses and relies on 4 agency nurses at this time. The unit has 4 positions posted per the staffing budget. When this shortage is reported, the shortage would be given as 4 when in fact it is 6 nurses short

http://www.ahrq.gov/research/nursestaffing/nursestaff.htm

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