Will the nursing shortage ever end?

Nurses General Nursing

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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

There is a tone to some of these answers that sounds like maybe you wonder what all the fuss is about with all these people arriving on allnurses to ask questions or vent about this?

Quite the opposite in fact. I completely understand and respect the venting that goes on here about people having trouble finding a job. It was that venting that made me THOROUGHLY investigate the current job market in my area, which is an important thing to do. I am not sure if there will be the same job market in my area when I'm done with school, and I recognize and accept that. I think it would be very reckless for someone to go into a career without knowing the job market where they live - so I don't really agree that it is ridiculous for a nursing student to know this. I've talked to many, many nurses in my area to come up with my feelings on the job market here. I didn't just make it up. That being said, I also realize that could change drastically at any time.

I'd be happy to PM anyone who wants to know where I'm from. I've actually already done so. But anyone with a computer can look up cities with good economies in healthcare and they will come up with my city.

I hope you don't think that I am happy about the job market elsewhere. I certainly am not, and I fully realize that it doesn't take much to tip us over...We are not special in any way....just in an area that never had a 'boom', so we didn't have a 'bust' either.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Quite the opposite in fact. I completely understand and respect the venting that goes on here about people having trouble finding a job. It was that venting that made me THOROUGHLY investigate the current job market in my area, which is an important thing to do. I am not sure if there will be the same job market in my area when I'm done with school, and I recognize and accept that. I think it would be very reckless for someone to go into a career without knowing the job market where they live - so I don't really agree that it is ridiculous for a nursing student to know this.

I didn't say it was ridiculous for a nursing student to know that. The "that" I was referring to was this sentence preceding it.

I would never say that because someone is a CNA or a pre-nursing student they can't comment on the new grad RN employment market.

So I meant exactly the opposite of what you perceived. I never said anyone was making anything up, either. If I thought that why would I think it would be a good idea to spread the news in another thread?

I don't hold such a low opinion of anyone on allnurses that I visualized them as happy about other people's struggles. I'm sorry you felt my post was directed at you personally.

And -- I agree 1000% about carefully researching the job market in the geographic area you plan to work in!! I say that all the time!

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I didn't take the post personally, so don't worry about that. The tone and intent on the internet are very hard to read sometimes.

One of the things about my area that's interesting, is that while there are jobs, the pay stinks. And I know that. Which is one of the reasons I don't post where I'm from because I'm pretty sure people will come out of the woodwork to tell me how terrible the pay is. Our city is pretty much owned by one health care company who, because of their lack of competition (only one other hospital brand and several smaller regional hospitals) can pay their nurses whatever they want, and it's not good.

So, I certainly don't want to come off as living in some nirvana of nursing jobs. I was only trying to say that the jobs are here - but I'm also pretty sure that based on some of the posts here on AN, that some people would look their nose up on what kinds of pay you could get here...

For me, I'm in a different boat as I'm older and have been a stay at home mom for many years, so the income I will make will be more than I'm making now! lol!

Anyway, I hope I didn't offend in any way. Again, the internet and message boards in particular can be difficult to read intent....

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

No offense at all!! I so agree with your strategy! A while back I very politely (I thought) asked in a thread where the new grads were complaining "so ah.. I'm wondering why everyone is so broadsided by this? Didn't anyone research the job market at all before they graduated . . ?. -- got my head bitten off in about 2 seconds -- decided it best not to bring it up again. . . :flamesonb

I've had a few who literally freaked out at me over something they thought I said or meant. We're talking 2 or 3 paragraphs! "People like you are the exact reason I left nursing". Oh. Damn. How did that happen? I will comb through my stuff to find out what ticked them off. Sometimes I can tell - otherwise I guess it's a numbers game - if you post a lot there will be a few who are off the wall like that . .

I was thinking of suggesting an area on allnurses that could be sort of a clearinghouse of suggestions for people to network anonymously if something is shaking in their town. Sort of like leads that salesmen get. I can understand that if someone associates you personally with a suggestion it could possibly set you up for some backlash if it doesn't work out. Like " hey thanks for ruining my life with your suggestion that I move to Fresno. Fresno sucks, and there are no jobs".:)

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There are also Allnurses sections for those posters who are pre-nursing students, as well as those who are currently in a nursing program. These areas on AN are best so that people can be seen for who they are, and they can have their questions best adressed, as well as can be weeded out from filling up professional discussions threads, as the professional areas are there for a reason, and that primarily is so that RNs can communicate with RNs.

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There are also Allnurses sections for those posters who are pre-nursing students, as well as those who are currently in a nursing program. These areas on AN are best so that people can be seen for who they are, and they can have their questions best adressed, as well as can be weeded out from filling up professional discussions threads, as the professional areas are there for a reason, and that primarily is so that RNs can communicate with RNs.

I spend time at the student section as well. But I'm wondering what I can learn about current nursing issues from others who are just as clueless as myself because we are so very new? The reason we newbies post on the general forum is to get advice from people who have BTDT as they say. You have all been to nursing school and have worked as nurses. THAT is the perpective we are looking for. Not just "Hey, are you taking AP this semester?". And frankly, if I DID stay only in the student section, I could be accused of not researching what 'real' nursing is like and sticking my head in the sand to the true nursing issues in the profession - because in the student secion, IN GENERAL, they are much more concerned with student life and that AP class than whether or not there will be jobs when they get out of school, etc....Can't win, can we?

Onaclearday, We have bumped heads more than once in my month here at AN. You rarely like what I have to say and it is abundantly clear to me that you do not recommend anyone get into nursing. I hear you and have taken your advice to heart even if I disagree with you. Your forthrightness from a general disliking of several of my posts have greatly increased my ability to withstand the slings and arrows that fall here sometimes, and have even helped me to start growing that "Thicker Skin" that everyone tells me I need to be a nurse. The first time I went down in flames, I was stunned. I had no idea to expect the backlash and certainly handled the backlash differently than I would have had I known it was coming. But I learned quickly and my skin is getting tougher...

Now...HOW would I have learned any of that if I only posted in the student section where everyone is a pollyanna like me?

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jlpsu,

You have been given tons of advice. Now, onward to whatever you decide.

You refer to some kind of relationship between you and me/us that simply does not exist. It cannot exist, really it cannot. I give information that's it. I am not invested in your success or lack there of.

The AN Guides population do look through postings in other areas of AN. You can search for your info as well as look at the stickies in the green background areas to find information you need.

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Maybe I used the wrong word saying that I was looking for 'advice' by reading the general board. I've asked for advice exactly ONE time on the general nurses board. And got butchered for it. And I learned my lesson. (and it wasn't even asking for advice but venting about the negative attitude on AN...how ironic!)

But I do look to the general nursing board to know what to expect when I am a nurse and to read and learn from others experiences. I've started a few threads there, mainly with questions in order to LEARN from experienced nurses.

That being said, I respect your opinion but politely disagree. I think MANY of the nurses that post here are invested, in some way, with the success or lack thereof, of the posters that post here. Why else would anyone be here offering advice or opinions? Just to hear themselves talk? For those posts where I have had something to contribute, where I've written to others asking for advice, I can tell you that I was absolutely concerned with the feelings and 'success' of that person. Maybe I'm just a glass half full kind of person. And maybe, as you suggested to me at one time, I will change my tune after I am a nurse. But I sure as hell hope not.

As far as stickie's, that is a great idea and one that I do try to incorporate so that I don't ask the same questions that have already been asked.

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Specializes in They know this too!.
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:

OMG! lmao! Well, I didn't have to do it, my agency called the next day with hours. I am telling you not to be religious, but God really was on my side. I haven't been here since I have been working my bumb off. I didn't give up. But, now I have to stick this out and find a permanent place with good benefits. :uhoh3:

After working agency I realized some places just don't want to hire and all these places I go to are hiring. Just very picky. There insurance stinks too. What is up with all the $4,000 deductibles before getting coverage. Oh another topic. A nurse that works permanently says, "Just because you work to help people, doesn't mean the place you work for will help you.". Seems this way with all the places I go to.

I went a long time working jobs that I was to embarassed to tell anyone about because I couldn't find a nursing job. Oh well, bills have to be paid somehow................. If you still want a nursing job have you tried applying to rural areas?

Tried the rural areas. I had a lead somewhere that would have services for my son who is Autistic. But, they cancelled my on site interview a week before and decided to hire all travel nurses. Some places just don't have the services for him. That is another reason why I was stuck.

Thanks so much for keeping my negativity positive. It was really a hard.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
OMG! lmao! Well, I didn't have to do it, my agency called the next day with hours. I am telling you not to be religious, but God really was on my side. I haven't been here since I have been working my bumb off. I didn't give up. But, now I have to stick this out and find a permanent place with good benefits. :uhoh3:

After working agency I realized some places just don't want to hire and all these places I go to are hiring. Just very picky. There insurance stinks too. What is up with all the $4,000 deductibles before getting coverage. Oh another topic. A nurse that works permanently says, "Just because you work to help people, doesn't mean the place you work for will help you.". Seems this way with all the places I go to.

Tried the rural areas. I had a lead somewhere that would have services for my son who is Autistic. But, they cancelled my on site interview a week before and decided to hire all travel nurses. Some places just don't have the services for him. That is another reason why I was stuck.

Thanks so much for keeping my negativity positive. It was really a hard.

I am soooo happy for you!!!! The deductables? The more it costs you, the less it costs them.

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Specializes in They know this too!.
I am soooo happy for you!!!! The deductables? The more it costs you, the less it costs them.

It is totally new to me. You can tell I haven't been around for that long. It use to be expensive the way it was before. Gee wiz, you know? :confused:

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