Will the nursing shortage ever end?

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Hello I am taking courses at my college and I am very interested in nursing as a career. I did some research and bls.gov estimates a 22% increase for the demand of nurses through 2018. My question is after 2018 will there no longer be a demand for nurses? Thanks

This whole idea that OMG, there will be such a huge turnaround. I really don't think it's gonna be like that at all.

You see, there have been fundamental changes in payment for services rendered, and those changes are gonna get even bigger. Big business corporations run more and more of what we do. The government and private insurance is putting the squeeze on profit more than ever. So, you put those drivers together along with, when it comes down to it, the hard fact that those that run facilities are in it for the money honey. If they don't make what they want to make they will make decisions that do not favor nurses their biggest "waste of cash" as many of them publicly note. Like I keep saying. The foreign pipelines for FMGs/FNGs is ready and waiting, and employers just can't wait to open that baby wide again, and, they will. MDs have been fed this line of crap too. All the "MD shortage" stuff, they have their jobs being devalued as well - but they are new to this phenomena :smokin:

Nobody really cares that "all the people" receive great healthcare anymore. They sort of used to somewhat - as long as they could make the type of money they did in the past. Those days are gone.

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Specializes in CPU, ICU, HD,CPC,OPSU,PSY.

Seriously...a nursing shortage. I don't know about hospitals in most other states, but the few I have encountered have the problem of short staffage...not nurse shortage. This is not an issue of a nursing shortage. The nurses that are being mandated to work overtime and so on are not suffering due to this so called nursing shortage. I believe this has more to do with the staffing shortage. At least this is the current problem where I am now.

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"The school I am hoping to attend has 100% job placement as well."

That is not true. If they told you that, someone is telling a mistruth! No school is ever going to promise 100% placement! :twocents:

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Yes, the nursing shortage will end around 2007.

:yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah: LOVE IT!!!!:smokin:

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
You know what I am doing working as a topless maid. I don't care if I get kicked off the site for pouring salt on the wound. Tried everything for 3 years to get work. Long list of excuses... not good enough, travel nursing made you a job hopper, degree not high enough, broken promises on hours, scam jobs, on-site interview cancelled, mentors and previous instructors tried, I have an Unemployment Rep, tried applying at McDonald's, Admin Asst., you name it I have heard and tried it. I need to make one of those Teddy Bear You Tube videos.

Funny never thought I would take my clothes off for money. Life isn't fair though and call me a whore. Not going to collect welfare. Oh yeah that works people might not even get their checks in August. My bills are behind 3 months, waiting for an eviction notice, and sitting here hoping for a job isn't working. My son is Autistic and needs a roof over his head for services. These days getting an education does not mean you get a job.

Who knows what is going to happen to nursing jobs. It seems like you need to be Miss America, a Stepford Wife, or a Noble Peace Prize winner to get one. I see posts of people in my area getting jobs or maybe even friends who have been out of nursing for years landing them. Or, even in other areas. I like the ones who were drug addicts or criminals getting hired. That is nice. I haven't done any of those things where is my job? Seems good things only happen to bad people too. I guess it all depends on who you know because I don't get it. Didn't deserve this.

Probably can't get my NP now either not with my new job selection. Seriously, what is the point those jobs will be gone too by the time I am finished. Totally, agree that the colleges just want money.

I shouldn't say anything on this site anymore as I am now a sour apple RN, or possibly rotten.

Everyone is different some of us are just not as lucky as the rest.

I commend you for doing anything for your son. There's nothing I wouldn't do for my kids, but if I had to sell myself on the corner.....we'd starve because there'd be no buyers....:lol2:

I'm so sorry you are having such a hard time and have now joined the ranks of "The unemployable nurses" but if it's a dream to be one .....don't give up! :hug::hug::hug:

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Thanks everyone for your input. I guess what I have been hearing is somewhat wrong. My impression was that there is a shortage EVERYWHERE but obviously that's not true. I live in Ohio and there is a shortage of nurses here so I guess it just depends on where you live.

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Specializes in Mental Health, Medical Research, Periop.
YES THERE IS!!!!

... just not in your area! I'm living it right now! My employer are starting to mandate us back to work on our days off and they've closed our peds unit 'cause they do not have enough RN's to staff it! I wish people would stop making general statements when really the statements pertain to their region and not EVERYWHERE!

I see you're in Canada right? In the USA it appears to be less of a shortage.

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Thanks everyone for your input. I guess what I have been hearing is somewhat wrong. My impression was that there is a shortage EVERYWHERE but obviously that's not true. I live in Ohio and there is a shortage of nurses here so I guess it just depends on where you live.

Yes it does hopeless, and you just keep pursuing...good grief a simple question on this site can get a crazy thread after it...sorry.:heartbeat

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Op, you just need to know what you are getting into. Your school is not a resource. The media is not your resource. There is big money at stake in all this. You've come to the right place to get your info.

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Personally I think its location, location, location and the position. Where I live and work, except the ICU, all the floors are short. My floor has 5 in orientation, and 4 new hires, and we are the best staffed! Every other floor is short. We have agency and traveler's filling positions until we can get regular staff hired. The problem, RN's come in get their 1-2 year experience and then move somewhere else because we are one of the few hospitals that will actually hire a new grad. It sucks for us "longtimers" because we invest so much time, effort and resources into people who are just using us as a stepping stone. But no one wants to move out to my neck of the woods, and everyone wants ICU.

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.
The nursing shortage, (or over saturation) seems to be heavily location dependent. Do research in YOUR AREA to determine the likelihood of jobs when you are done with college. In my area, there are a TON of job listings...but I'm just starting school. My hope is they are still there when I complete my education. No guarantees, of course. In other areas of my same state, there are no jobs to be had.

Don't look at government statistics alone. Look at location specific outcomes....

Since you aren't a nurse yet, I advise you to research a little harder. Listings are always up but truth be told doesn't mean they are actively trying to hire nurses into them. It's an ilusion basically :lol2:

Also, USUALLY hospitals (in this economy) aren't exactly sitting around waiting for you to graduate to give you a job. Instead, they are being very picky even of the EXPERIENCED nurses that apply.

They want you to hit the road running. Trust me :twocents:

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.
uh hem.....second verse same as the first.....

THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF NURSES!!!!

Thank you very much.....

Maybe, once upon a time there was a shortage of nurses who were NOT WILLING to put up with the bs and miserable working conditions.

Now, having no choice due to the poor economy, spouses being laid off, kids coming back to live with you, families combining to not lose a home.............well, no shortage indeed (although the conditions have not improved).

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