Is there really a Nursing shortage or is it just hype ?

Is there a Nursing shortage in your area or is there an over abundance of Nurses in your area?

In northern Utah (Provo, SLC, Ogden...) we have an huge over abundance of Nurses. A manager friend said for every position she posts as open, she receives 200 applications.
We have a very logical reason, every University, community college, technical school, and career training centers have a Nursing program. Meanwhile those same schools have waiting lists to get in, they still advertise how great a career in Nursing is (which it is).

What area do you live?
Is it having a Nursing shortage or an abundance?
If you are having a shortage what incentives are being offered to new employees?
Are facilities increasing their pay?
If you are having an over abundance, have you noticed a difference in how facilities treat their employees?
If you are not employed, how long have you been looking?

Thank You All For Your Time
I'm in Indianapolis and there is an abundance. New grads are finding it difficult to land that first job. Three of the four major hospital systems in central Indiana have had staffing AND pay cuts in the past year. We have dozens of applicants for each job we post. I personally have had my weekend AND night differential cut in the past year. Been a nurse a long time, and have never seen it quite this bad...
It is complete and utter hype. There is NO nursing shortage.
Quote from Stacy67CPIs there a Nursing shortage in your area or is there an over abundance of Nurses in your area?In northern Utah (Provo, SLC, Ogden...) we have an huge over abundance of Nurses. A manager friend said for every position she posts as open, she receives 200 applications. We have a very logical reason, every University, community college, technical school, and career training centers have a Nursing program. Meanwhile those same schools have waiting lists to get in, they still advertise how great a career in Nursing is (which it is).Thank You All For Your Time
No shortage here in Northeast PA. Fifteen yrs of experience, laid off from previous job two yrs ago, still no nursing job and have been steadily applying. Six universities in the area pumping out new grads with an already huge over supply of RNs. No hope in sight of landing a nursing job here.
In my area (Virginia) ... there is no shortage of nurses, but there is a shortage of nurses with certain types of experience and education. We have a lot of new grads applicants -- many from schools that are not of "top tier" quality. We hire new grads, but only those that have gone to really good schools where they have gotten high quality education (BSN strongly preferred.) We also have applicants from people with no experience in specialty areas -- or even in acute care. Finally, we have nurses who are clearly just looking for part time work or temporary jobs.So we have lots of applicants for jobs from nurses we are not particularly anxious to hire. So from the employer's perspective, there is a "shortage of good candidates" even though there are lots of RN's looking for work.
Many, many nurses have not gone to "really good schools." However, we worked hard, passed NCLEX just like those from those "good schools," either are new grads looking for that first job, or us older, nurses with experience that may not be as desirable such as LTC, Hospice, you get the idea. So, what are we to do? Remain unemployed nurses and pray that we can find some other type of employment? You actually have "good candidates," you just need to stop the elitist attitude, and give the rest of us a chance.
Quote from TalonMany, many nurses have not gone to "really good schools." However, we worked hard, passed NCLEX just like those from those "good schools," either are new grads looking for that first job, or us older, nurses with experience that may not be as desirable such as LTC, Hospice, you get the idea. So, what are we to do? Remain unemployed nurses and pray that we can find some other type of employment? You actually have "good candidates," you just need to stop the elitist attitude, and give the rest of us a chance.
What area do you live? Fort Worth, TXIs it having a Nursing shortage or an abundance? Abundance, especially for new gradsIf you are having a shortage what incentives are being offered to new employees? N/AAre facilities increasing their pay? Pay rates have been flat in this area since about 2008If you are having an over abundance, have you noticed a difference in how facilities treat their employees? Management treats staff with the thinly veiled aura of "If you don't like it, there's the door."If you are not employed, how long have you been looking? N/A
To meanmaryjeanThank you, sorry to hear about your cut in pay it's not right to cut pay.
Since 2007, there have been few jobs in most areas for new nurses. Despite the media hype, I'm surprised at the number of enrollments in nursing schools, because the job postings and lack thereof is a strong indicator of the nursing market.There are jobs in small towns and rural areas....places where most people do not want to go. I relocated for my first nursing job, as have many others. People need to realize that this is an employers market, it has been for years, and if you want to work, go where the jobs are. The alternative is unemployment. Nursing is now as competitive as every other profession, and that isn't going to change. Cutbacks are global, too.
In my part of the country (DFW & Houston), there is no shortage of generalist nurses... and an over-abundance of new grads for entry-level positions. However, there is emerging evidence of a shrinking supply of nurses with specialty qualifications. In the last 3 months, I have been seeing recruitment enticements (sign-on bonus, relocation paid, etc) for CVICU, OR & ED nurses but the jobs require at least 5 years of experience with certification preferred.
What area do you live? southern West Virginia Is it having a Nursing shortage or an abundance? Shortage in a lot of areas with pockets of abundance in certain areas. If you are having a shortage what incentives are being offered to new employees? Sign on bonuses of $5000. Are facilities increasing their pay? I wish. We are still very low paid in comparison to the rest of the country. If you are having an over abundance, have you noticed a difference in how facilities treat their employees? They are equal opportunity, they treat everyone like crap. If you are not employed, how long have you been looking? Most new graduates have little problem finding a position but I have noticed that they are hiring less new graduates and are BSN preferred . Thank You All For Your Time