How is there a shortage?

1 So I went to a seminar a couple of weeks ago about nursing, and I didn't really understand some of the things they said. So first of all, they kept mentioning that there is a shortage of nurses.

Other facts that were stated:
- recent graduates are not all getting hired because nurses who are suppose to be retiring are not. They are waiting for the economy to pick back up before they retire.
- LVNs are being phased out of hospitals
- CNA's are doing LVN jobs, basically that they are hiring the lower paid nurses to do the higher level of work?
- Colleges are closing admissions into nursing programs, there are long wait-lists to get in.

I feel like some of these facts contradicts the "shortage of nurses." Can someone explain why there is a shortage or if there even is one?

edited: Sorry, I forgot to mention, I'm in California ^__^ Last edit by Luularoo on Jul 5, '11
There is a shortage when I am (canada). Our hospital actually had to go to several foreign countries (far far away) to recruit RN's. No LVN or CNA shortage though. And we will take new grads with a heart and a half! :heartbeatHere, many of the nurses that were suppose to retire in the last few years have not or are coming back casual (the hospital usually asks if they will do at least some casual shifts).I guess it depends on your area's circumstances!

It varies wildly geographically. Some areas there are 100's of new grads of every 1 position other areas there is 1 new grad for 100's of positions. (Okay the latter is probably and exaggeration but still close enough.)

At the moment there is only a shortage in certain locations and in certain horrible facilities.I'm in Australia but would say there seem to be jobs in rural locations and in some southern US areas (just my opinion from reading this board).There is a projected serious shortage coming up when the baby boomers retire

New grads can still get jobs where I'm at, but HR just reduced the new grad pay rate by several dollars an hour. Things are tightening up .... even in the good markets.

Quote from Orange TreeNew grads can still get jobs where I'm at, but HR just reduced the new grad pay rate by several dollars an hour. Things are tightening up .... even in the good markets.

Quote from LuularooSo I went to a seminar a couple of weeks ago about nursing, and I didn't really understand some of the things they said. So first of all, they kept mentioning that there is a shortage of nurses.Other facts that were stated:- recent graduates are not all getting hired because nurses who are suppose to be retiring are not. They are waiting for the economy to pick back up before they retire.- LVNs are being phased out of hospitals- CNA's are doing LVN jobs, basically that they are hiring the lower paid nurses to do the higher level of work?- Colleges are closing admissions into nursing programs, there are long wait-lists to get in.I feel like some of these facts contradicts the "shortage of nurses." Can someone explain why there is a shortage or if there even is one?

It's really about the difference between short-term and long-term. Long term, due to the aging of the baby boom generation, we have a shortage of nurses. It's real and it's going to hit hard in a few years.Short-term, due to the recession, we have a surplus of nurses, for the following reasons:1. Nurses who were licensed but not working at all, being supported by spouses, coming back into the work force because of spouse losing their job.2. Nurses who were working in some other field losing that job and coming back into nursing.3. Nurses who were hoping to retire having to put off retirement due to loss of value of their retirement savings.Long-term we absolutely have a major nursing shortage. Short-term we have a serious surplus. There are two very bright young women in my own extended family who are new grads and can't find jobs. So there is this ugly disconnect between the fact that, in the long term, we need more nurses and, in the short term, we have too many. Bad for everyone.

Quote from Chico David RNIt's really about the difference between short-term and long-term. Long term, due to the aging of the baby boom generation, we have a shortage of nurses. It's real and it's going to hit hard in a few years.Short-term, due to the recession, we have a surplus of nurses, for the following reasons:1. Nurses who were licensed but not working at all, being supported by spouses, coming back into the work force because of spouse losing their job.2. Nurses who were working in some other field losing that job and coming back into nursing.3. Nurses who were hoping to retire having to put off retirement due to loss of value of their retirement savings.Long-term we absolutely have a major nursing shortage. Short-term we have a serious surplus. There are two very bright young women in my own extended family who are new grads and can't find jobs. So there is this ugly disconnect between the fact that, in the long term, we need more nurses and, in the short term, we have too many. Bad for everyone.

does that mean that after i get my nursing degree i will have to go back to teaching, and then get a refresher course when the 90 year old nurses finally pack it in? I am starting to get worried.

Quote from alodociosdoes that mean that after i get my nursing degree i will have to go back to teaching, and then get a refresher course when the 90 year old nurses finally pack it in? I am starting to get worried.

I know that there is no Nursing Shortage in Chicago.I am an E.R nurse and am planning on moving to Eastern N. Carolina next year. I have been perusing the market and am confident i can get a job there.

To the OPI can see that you are a recent joiner...so first of all welcome.Next, I don't know if you have had a chance to read any of the former posts regarding this issue but it is generally accepted that there is NO nursing shortage in the USA anymore. There is a myiad of reasons for this and if you explore the threads you will finds scads and scads of posts addressing this and the reasons.There are dozens and dozens of posts regarding new grads who can not finds jobs---in the vast majority of the 50 states...also harder now for experienced nurses.So do a little looking around and it won't take you long to find the information...you can use the search option for the topic.