Why do articles say nurses are high in demand but in reality it's not?

AllNursesisCool · Jan 5, 2012

What kind of stable job do you have?

NCRNMDM, ASN, RN · Jan 5, 2012

Where I live, there are plenty of nursing jobs to be found. I live within an hour of four level one trauma centers, all of which have greater than 700 beds, and there are tons of jobs. At one hospital alone there are currently almost 200 jobs for RNs. In my area, LPNs are no longer hired, but ASNs are being hired by the dozen. My area hasn't been so foolish as to mandate that every nurse be BSN prepared, and it's probably because there is such a great need for RNs around here. I do plan to get my BSN after I graduate and get a job, and I eventually want to pursue two master's degrees in nursing. I don't know anything about the job market in California, but I know that it is healthy and plentiful where I am.

symphie · Jan 5, 2012

Nurses are in demand.

Because new grads can't get a job right off the bat or in exactly the city they dream of working in, they complain that the "nursing shortage" is fake. The truth is, hospitals are in need of more nurses, they just don't have the money to necessarily hire as many as they need or spend the extra money to hire new grads. The economy sucks, but that doesn't mean the nursing shortage doesn't exist.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Jan 5, 2012

Experienced nurses who have practiced in critical areas are in high demand. New grads are not.

RNhopeful21 · Jan 6, 2012

I think it depends on the area just like others have said. I searched my area just now for RN jobs and found 4 in my area. Then I searched an area that is an hour away from me and found 66 RN jobs there. I am from New York, and not downstate, I live upstate near Albany.

LiveHigh2012 · Jan 6, 2012

mattrnstudent- where are you that there are so many nursing jobs available?

Band · Jan 6, 2012

May be there's a shortage of nurses, but the funds aren't there, so yes I guess they aren't so much in demand.

I know of a nurse near retirement who is not planning on retiring so soon because the economy is unstable plus the healthcare thing is confusion, near retirees in general aren't planning on retiring, they are taking yet a second job, but they will have to retire, as they get older sooner or later

i guess we'll take overnight shifts, or commute to a very... rural area

LVNBSN2 · Jan 6, 2012

I aways see articles on yahoo about jobs that are always high in demand, and nursing is always on that list. If that's true, why is it that so many people are having troubling landing a job? I'm from California and from what I've been reading from this forum, it's seems like it's almost impossible to find a job here. I'm in such a dilemma and stressing on whether or not I should still go for nursing or not. Nursing has always been a dream job of mine, ever since freshman year of high school, but now I'm just not sure. Is it any easier for LVN's?

No, finding a job for an LPN/VN is harder.

DarkLotus · Jan 7, 2012

Where I live, there are plenty of nursing jobs to be found. I live within an hour of four level one trauma centers, all of which have greater than 700 beds, and there are tons of jobs. At one hospital alone there are currently almost 200 jobs for RNs. In my area, LPNs are no longer hired, but ASNs are being hired by the dozen. My area hasn't been so foolish as to mandate that every nurse be BSN prepared, and it's probably because there is such a great need for RNs around here. I do plan to get my BSN after I graduate and get a job, and I eventually want to pursue two master's degrees in nursing. I don't know anything about the job market in California, but I know that it is healthy and plentiful where I am.

And where would "your area" be?

NCRNMDM, ASN, RN · Jan 7, 2012

North Carolina, close to two large cities in NC, and two pretty large areas in SC.

grpman · Jan 7, 2012

I think it is good to remember that the overall economy is down so we can't always compare a job now with what it was in the past to determine its worth. Sure, it may not be as easy to get a job now as it was, but we should compare the job availability of RN's to the overall availability of all other types of career choices. And with that being said, I don't think the media has it wrong. Unemployment has increased across the board for almost all career paths. So remember to compare apples to apples. It could be that nursing is the best in a bad situation. I'll take that.

IndyColts · Jan 16, 2012

My analysis of the situation begins with the impression that it has become too easy to become a nurse. Nursing programs have lowered their admission and retention standards allowing less-that qualified persons to become nurses. Further, nursing programs have become too dependent on ATI and HESI programs to tutor students along through programs and the NCLEX. This produces more nurses and makes the job market more congested with applicants. Because the profession of nursing is by nature rigourous, demanding, and full of decision-making based on information, less capable persons should not be allowed into nursing programs. If someone insists that her life-long dream has to become a nurse, that alone does not qualify her for the profession. In reality, she needs a lot of brain power. If I were in charge of the whole matter, I would use tests such as the SAT and ACT to winnow out the crowds of persons trying to get into nursing programs. I would require a high level of math accuracy since there is a strong correlation between math skills and thinking skills. I would not admit persons to nursing programs who struggled in the sciences (microbiology, anatomy, and physiology) or persons who could not spontaneously write well. With nursing jobs rare right now, the profession can afford to leave the weak behind and build its ranks with bright, capable, and ready-to-hit-the-floor running nurses.