When do you think it will end?

[xxgreenfirexx]

So when do you guys think the nursing shortage will start to end? I ask, because I have thought about going into the program 3 x's since 2002 and I never get the prereq's, etc done because I'm told that I can't even begin to apply until I have the prereq's done. I am almost done with my grad degree in business management, yet the nursing profession continues to call me.

I finally signed up for my 1st prereq, which is chemistry and now, I'm all paranoid that by the time I'm done with everything and apply for the nursing program and then finally get in, it will be too late!

What's your opinion??

[luvschoolnursing, LPN]

I've been out of nursing school for over 20 years and there has been a "shortage". Don't think you'll have problems getting a job anytime soon, especially if you're willing to work in a hospital.

[MoriahRoseRN]

I agree with the above poster. You also have a plus with your business degree, it makes you more marketable if you decided to move away from bedside nursing. Good luck!

[marie-francoise]

I think this particular nursing shortage has lasted about nine years now - that is the number I hear quoted. My guess is that the ramping up of managed care in the 1990s initiated the shortage (to put it very basically, nursing jobs were cut, and understaffing created bad working conditions), and now hospitals essentially maintain a shortage by not hiring adequate nursing staff, in order to save money. So, understaffing = burnout = further nurses leaving the bedside for other types of jobs.

That might be an oversimplification, but until the "system" respects nurses enough to improve their working conditions, the shortage will continue. We can import nurses, and new grads will bite the bullet and do their year in med-surg, etc.; but those are stop-gap measures.

Maybe the only thing that will make hospitals see that retention is the way to go is the fact that retention will save $, since training a replacement hire is also lots 'o $.

[kcochrane]

I think this particular nursing shortage has lasted about nine years now - that is the number I hear quoted. My guess is that the ramping up of managed care in the 1990s initiated the shortage (to put it very basically, nursing jobs were cut, and understaffing created bad working conditions), and now hospitals essentially maintain a shortage by not hiring adequate nursing staff, in order to save money. So, understaffing = burnout = further nurses leaving the bedside for other types of jobs.

That might be an oversimplification, but until the "system" respects nurses enough to improve their working conditions, the shortage will continue. We can import nurses, and new grads will bite the bullet and do their year in med-surg, etc.; but those are stop-gap measures.

Maybe the only thing that will make hospitals see that retention is the way to go is the fact that retention will save $, since training a replacement hire is also lots 'o $.

I agree, until working conditions for nurses improve, the shortage will continue. And I don't see that improving any time soon.

[biker nurse]

I personally do not feel the shortage will ever end. We are living longer

and getting smarter. Nurses will Always be needed.

[bill4745, RN]

This shortage will be many, many yers.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I wouldn't worry about it, really. The other posters worded it well. Also, with the shortage of college professors to teach and guide nursing students in their programs lessens the availability of seats for the school to begin with. Aim high while taking the pre-requisites in case your school is one of those that accepts by higher GPAs and good luck!

[DEB52]

We researched this in my Nursing Therory class in Oct. The shortage is suppose to last until 2020 then nurses my age will be retiring. That will make the shortage worst. The average age of nurses is about 47. I hope that their will be nurses available when I get old.

[GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN]

Not in my lifetime