Let's talk: Nursing Shortage?

3 Nursing Shortage Start in the Classroom
Nursing Shortage: Cal State System

What's going on? I did not know there was a nursing shortage *sarcasm*. I graduated in June 2013 and find it extremely difficult to get a hospital job. Currently, I do work in a surgery center and love it, however, I want to do inpatient. With that said, I have my associate's degree in nursing and am enrolled in an RN-BSN program.

The problem with this propaganda of "Nursing Shortage" does not seem relevant at this time. Most hospitals require 1 year of experience or preferred, BSN preferred. It makes it hard for ADN's to get a job although they are also an RN.

Let me just say, I have heard many times for every new grad position a hospital receives over 500 applicants. Some places receive so many applicants they state they will only consider the first 25 or the for a new grad position the first 100, 200, etc.... You get the point.

There are many nurses out there and California has thousands of new nurses. Hospitals just do not want to train new nurses because it costs $40,000 to train a new nurse. And if you are wondering where I found this information it's just what I hear on other forums.

In this article Nursing Shortage: Cal State System, it states CS San Bernardino accepts 108 a year. The article is making it seem like that is a small amount.

There is a Facebook group called New Grad RN in California which I am part of. There you can find many unemployed nurses looking for a job.

THERE IS NO NURSING SHORTAGE at least in California. There are plenty of community colleges and universities that graduate hundred of nurses a twice a year. Yes twice a year because You have your nurses that graduate in Fall and Spring. It is so hard for new nurses to get a job ADN or BSN, in all honesty harder for ADN's, that colleges are now starting externships post- nursing school when you are an RN to help you gain experience and make you more competitive. Let me name a few schools, College of the Canyons, Saddleback College. There are also programs being created by hospitals such as one in Fairfield, CA that YOU pay for the training. New graduate RN's are willing to work as CNA's if it means it will land them an RN job in the future.

There are plenty of nurses to fill open positions who are smart and worth the training.

I believe it is safer to say that it is a market of supply and demand. There is plenty of supply (nurses) but the demand (jobs) is very competitive.

It is just a shame that people, not in healthcare, believe there is this current "Nursing Shortage."
Yeah the "nursing shortage" thing is BS. And it isn't easier for new grads with BSNs either, as I had to move 200+ miles away in a rural area to get hired in a hospital. I'm a few months short of my "one year of experience" and starting to resume my job search in my hometown and I'm still having a difficult time. Most hospitals aren't doing well financially, causing job cuts and hiring freezes and it seems like a lot of hospitals just do not want to invest money into training new grads anymore.

It really depends on where you are, I'm still not sure I'd call it a shortage but rural areas do have a greater need at this time than big urban centers.

I don't understand what is so great about working at a hospital? Plenty of people would be happy to trade you for the surgery center, and even go back to school to get their BSN or NP to get away from the hospital and find a non-bedside job. It is a very stressful job and in many places understaffing, micromanagement and mandation are a regular occurence. Sugery center you probably have a good schedule and have off for weekends and holidays. The grass isn't always greener, esp at hospitals! There are many threads on here with vents about all the unhappy and stressed out nurses literally in tears or having nervous breakdowns because of hospital working conditions! Consider yourself lucky that you're not one of them!

Quote from SycamoreGuyIt really depends on where you are, I'm still not sure I'd call it a shortage but rural areas do have a greater need at this time than big urban centers.

I think one big reason a ton of nurses are driving hard at the hospital jobs is for the experience, not for the job per se. A year of med-surg can open a lot of doors.

Quote from brandy1017I don't understand what is so great about working at a hospital? Plenty of people would be happy to trade you for the surgery center, and even go back to school to get their BSN or NP to get away from the hospital and find a non-bedside job. It is a very stressful job and in many places understaffing, micromanagement and mandation are a regular occurence. Sugery center you probably have a good schedule and have off for weekends and holidays. The grass isn't always greener, esp at hospitals! There are many threads on here with vents about all the unhappy and stressed out nurses literally in tears or having nervous breakdowns because of hospital working conditions! Consider yourself lucky that you're not one of them!

Quote from FutureResearchRNYeah the "nursing shortage" thing is BS. And it isn't easier for new grads with BSNs either, as I had to move 200+ miles away in a rural area to get hired in a hospital. I'm a few months short of my "one year of experience" and starting to resume my job search in my hometown and I'm still having a difficult time. Most hospitals aren't doing well financially, causing job cuts and hiring freezes and it seems like a lot of hospitals just do not want to invest money into training new grads anymore.

You know what the biggest shame is?Why some of the new RN"s who get a job are not always the right ones-there are a fair amount of sub-par RN's out there because they interview better than others!Schools need to slow down the amount of students they are training-but it is all about the $$$$$$

There is not a shortage of unskilled, inexperienced, unspecialized nurses. There is however a grievous shortage of skilled, experienced, specialists. My specialty is in Infusion Therapy and Vascular Access and all three of my employers can never find enough nurses to fill the positions simply because we cannot find anyone qualified. All we get are new grad applications or those looking for a change in specialty. My specialties are not the only fields lacking qualified individuals, look at how many listings for the ED and OR you see!

Quote from madwife2002You know what the biggest shame is?Why some of the new RN"s who get a job are not always the right ones-there are a fair amount of sub-par RN's out there because they interview better than others!Schools need to slow down the amount of students they are training-but it is all about the $$$$$$

Quote from Asystole RNMy specialties are not the only fields lacking qualified individuals, look at how many listings for the ED and OR you see!

Quote from Asystole RNThere is not a shortage of unskilled, inexperienced, unspecialized nurses. There is however a grievous shortage of skilled, experienced, specialists. My specialty is in Infusion Therapy and Vascular Access and all three of myemployers can never find enough nurses to fill the positions simply because we cannot find anyone qualified. All we get are new grad applications or those looking for a change in specialty. My specialties are not the only fields lacking qualified individuals, look at how many listings for the ED and OR you see!