Why Is There A Shortage?

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Jan 26, 2004

PS Ctruth

The truth is there is absolutely no nursing shortage, There are plenty of nurses out there.

Florida Native, BSN · Jan 27, 2004

Yes, there are plenty of nurses out there but it is unlikely they will ever return to the active practice of nursing. Historic data indicates they will stay in the professions they entered when they left nursing.

Alnamvet · Jan 27, 2004

This an interesting thread, yet sad for nursing...I e-mailed all but three of my graduating class (62), and found there are only 12 of us who are still in nursing. 5 of us went on to become NP's, one a PA, leaving 6 still doing scut work...the rest went on to more lucrative and soul enhancing careers, most totally unrelated to the medical field. We all had our BA's or BS's, and MS's before we went to nursing school, so we had a leg up on other nursing school grads...it was easier to drop nursing and move on to fields where one's talents were not only greatly appreciated, but well compensated. The common response from my classmates for leaving nursing was that in no other field have they seen the back stabbing, jealousy, immaturity, socially and economically challenged group of jerks in their lives; the myths about nursing are perpetuated to such heights, serving to only obscure the reality that nurses are truly their own worst enemies.

hbscott · Jan 27, 2004

Originally posted by Alnamvet
The common response from my classmates for leaving nursing was that in no other field have they seen the back stabbing, jealousy, immaturity, socially and economically challenged group of jerks in their lives; the myths about nursing are perpetuated to such heights, serving to only obscure the reality that nurses are truly their own worst enemies.

I too checked with my classmates and have found that most of my colleagues have moved on (through marriage, career change, and/or advanced practice opportunities). I have yet to find one classmate of mine who stayed at the bedside and only a few who stayed in nursing in general.

Kind of hard to ignore a trend like that?

-HBS

J. B. · Jan 27, 2004

Owning your own Business.

K O'Malley · Jan 27, 2004

I worked ICU until 3 yrs ago, only one nurse was older than 55. The past three years I worked cardiac telemetry, a unit with a very large staff. Again, only one or two nurses over 55. Where have they all gone?

LuvsOB · Jan 27, 2004

Why is there a shortage?

Reason #999

Because when the Dr. makes an error in judgement the nurse will ultimately be blamed and then the nurses unit manager will not back her up.

ctruth · Jan 27, 2004

hmmm...interesting posts....and some very informative...

As a recent BSN graduate, my focus was already in psych nursing, which is quite different from bedside nursing, at least at the facility I am currently employed by; however, I would personally rather work on the line putting engines in cars rather than work on a med-surg unit after my clinical experiences. And far too many of my peers during clinicals held the same feelings regarding bedside nursing, which was due mostly to the pt-nurse ratio and the accompanying negative energy enveloping these units in particular. It wasn't very motivating to meet and work with nurses that outwardly dreaded their jobs--some even expressed acute anxiety before each shift simply because they feared what they would have to endure the following day. This had a huge affect on us all during clinicals, and it wasn't the result of a few isolated incidents, as there was a definite pattern developing, once again, specific to med-surg & telemetry units.

I realize the negative implications of this post; however, I do applaud all med-surg & telemetry nurses who are truly dedicated, strive to make a difference, & offer a positive impact, as I know many of you are out there, and thank God for it! However, the nurses out there who are actively working but filled with resentment and dread, and thus negatively affecting the rest need to have a Reality check. There are always options in the world of nursing--no one is held down to anything! My advice to those unhappy nurses: Take life into your own hands and make it happen to your hearts desire. There is so much more to nursing than pushing meds, racing in/out of pts rooms, and following commands. One compassionate seed planted can become a grove of blossoming trees, no doubt.

I absolutely love my job and feel blessed & very proud to be a RN. And yes, in the psych world of nursing you can find many drawbacks and/or frustrations. But my hearts in it, so my spirit is resiliant and I love the challenge!

Ctruth*

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2004

I checked on my classmates also, about half of them are dead.

aint that frightening

Sheri257 · Jan 27, 2004

Originally posted by Hellllllo Nurse
Lizz,

As I have stated in another thread, I hope things will be different for the new nurses coming up than they have been for many of us seasoned nurses.

-You seem to have the idea that a person should not bring attention to a problem unless they also have the solution.-

Not at all. I do want to be aware of the problems. And, actually, I have appreciated your posts regardless of any disagreements we might have.

However, since a hospital just went union in my town, I'd also like to know if things might be a little better and if there's a chance in a union state.

Sheri257 · Jan 27, 2004

originally posted by heatherbless
lizz:

you said it--you are a student nurse....so why don't you just act like one and quit acting like you are better than everyone else--look up the word humility in the dictionary....maybe you will learn something. hty/

heather:

it's bizarre that you would attack me for pointing out that working conditions could be different in a union versus a non-union state.

once again, i've never attacked you personally, and i ask that you do the same.

despite your previous attacks, i even posted my congratulations when you announced your bsn program acceptance in the student forum.

i guess you didn't notice or chose to ignore it.

oh well ... i tried. *shrug*

svcujo · Jan 27, 2004

Welcome to the profession! I guess the technically accurate answer to why there is a nursing shortage is: because there aren't enough nurses. (Ha!)

Seriously, I believe the shortage is largely due to the staffing ratios and management, because it's certainly not the money. I have had some wonderful nursing experiences and some horrible ones. The horrible ones had a common theme of poor management "in the house." Poor management influences everything from attitudes and perceptions about how valued you are as a health care professional to how the physicians treat you.

I have to agree with the earlier statement that not everyone should be a nurse. I stopped hospital nursing 4 years ago because I recognized that I was no longer happy in that setting. My concern is for all of those other nurses who are also unhappy but don't realize it and remain. When you're not happy it shows, no matter how much your shift differential is.

I wish you much happiness and success as you embark on what I hope will be a fulfilling career for you! If anyone ever does figure out the antedote to the nursing shortage, God bless 'em!