Should I not become a nurse? Since there isnt a REALLY a shortage, but that health care facilities dont want ?
Asked by ™PinkiThink
to pay nurses, keep nurses, improve their working conditions, etc. etc. ? Would I just be wasting my time going to school for nursing??? Why do people keep writing articles lying about how there is a nursing "shortage"?

Best Answer:
There is a nursing shortage, and has been for some time - but that nursing shortage referrers to RN's. While their are a lot of RN's there are way more jobs than RN's that is why they say there is a shortage, there is too many jobs and not enough RN's to staff them all. Right now an RN gets to pick who they work for and where. Salary isn't always negotiable because it is based on experience what you get paid, to maintain fair hiring practices no matter how much a RN wants they will get paid based on their exp. Working conditions can only improve when the ability to staff jobs are met, also most healthcare organizations are non-profit so there isn't a ton of many to meet everyone's desired work environment. I'm not too sure what you mean when you say improve working conditions, most nurse don't complain about the environment, it's either their co-workers or that they are understaffed. How many patients are in the hospital will change daily, like in any job that requires customers to determine work load, so sometimes you have more patients you can handle and other times you can be sent home if their are more patients than the staff needed. Hope this helps clear up your understanding of a "shortage" Healthcare HR Manager

There was a shortage but it could be there isn't anymore. Nursing is a fantastic position though because it's only two years of training and you can start making $70,000 at an entry level (my friend is a nurse). Maybe try volunteering in a hospital to see if it's something you really want to do!
Answered by Kiwi89

The above answer is great, just wanted to add my 2 cents. You see, a lot of nurses are reaching retiring age and a lot more nurses want to work less due to family commitments. You also will find that since nursing is a very physically and mentally demanding job, you will find a portion of nurses on leave at any given time. Some of them go on to permanent disability. And yes, nursing at times *does* have a high turnover rate due to some of the above factors, the factors you listed, and other reasons. Many employers only offer part time or casual work, so those nurses who DO want full time hours often have to work 3 jobs. That can lead to burnout. So in reality, it is not just current staffing issues that are causing people to yell "nursing shortage", it is also the *perceived* future issues of a large percentage of nurses retiring that is the problem. The "baby boomers" are now reaching the point in their lives when they need care, and this includes the nurses who are now the patients or retiring. The time has come. You may also find a percentage of nurses who came from other countries for training, and who have since returned, and another group that has fled the US and gone to work in another country, such as Canada or the UK (you will see this especially in those who disagree with the war and other recent politics). So at any given time, nurses are in demand, and will continue to be in the future, as the population ages and obesity and chronic disease becomes even more rampant (not all chronic diseases are lifestyle related or preventable of course, but many are). Good job security, I tell you! So, it really comes down to if you can handle the truth about nursing. It seems like you have already formed an opinion. The harsh reality is that yes, nurses can eat their young. You will be paid well, but worked hard as well. You may work understaffed. You may work overtime. You may work shiftwork. You will have to do "dirty work" as a student (and sometimes as a graduate). You likely will learn that you don't always have enough time to give patients as you thought you would. You may deal with a lot of workplace politics and even abuse. Then again, maybe not. The bottome line is that you have to love what you do. And if you really want to be a nurse, then you will find a way to make it work for you, and you will sort through any negatives. There are lots of options once you get your foot in the door and get some experience. Only you can decide if you want to go into nursing. It's not for everyone. I suggest that if you want to work in healthcare, to at least explore other options as well. Nursing is a great field if you were born to be a nurse, but there are many other careers that make important members of the healthcare team. Without knowing anything about you, all I can generally suggest are options, anything from Respiratory Therapist, to Pharmacist, to Physical Therapist, to Registered Dietician, to Radiation Therapist, to Medical Doctor....the list goes on and on.... Again, most nurses who do well and are happy being nurses felt drawn to nursing. It's not a "waste" of their time no matter what. Perhaps your calling is something else. If after you do some soul searching and decide that nursing is your bag, then go for it. In the end, there are LOADS of options. The great thing about healthcare is that it is a HUGE field. Good luck!
Answered by reginachick22

It is not a lie, though it may be misrepresented a bit. Some areas are not suffering from a shortage, but just about EVERY field will be suffering a shortage as baby boomers (people born shortly after WWII as soldiers came home- a large portion of the population). Part of the shortage is the predicted shortage and demand that will be occurring in the upcoming years. Healthcare will have additional demands because not only will baby boomers not only be working; they will also be demanding new levels of service. There is also a high level of burn out in nursing. People get into it for the wrong reasons (and some people that do it for the right reasons) and can't take it anymore. Lots of people apply to nursing school because they are told it’s a smart thing to go into, but then they get out and quit because it wasn't what they pictured. Some don't even make it through nursing school. It is only a waste if nursing does not suit you. There will always be a demand for nursing because people always have health issues. However, it is NOT something you go into for the money. It has great rewards, but only for people suited for it. It is a demanding job, and that will never change. Healthcare is expensive, and there is only so much they can pay nurses. They earn very good money, but they work you for it. If you don't like the work, then it will not be worth any amount of money because you will hate your job and burn out. People that do it benefit from the stability and pay, but most would still be drawn to it for other reasons. So, since the demand and pay seem to be your deciding factor, my guess would be you should stay away from nursing. Take a CNA course and see how it appeals to you. Nursing involves a lot more, but it will expose you to a little bit of the dirtier side of nursing and patient care. If you can't take it, re-think nursing. If you love it, you may succeed as a nurse.
Answered by science chick

if you want to be a nurse, become an RN.
Answered by HelloMyNameIs...

Yes!
Answered by Diana I