Why is there a nurse shortage? ALL nursing schools are booked with a long waiting list........ been this way for YEARS......HOW COME THERE IS THIS SO CALLED MAJOR DEMAND FOR NURSES????!!!!! What's the deal???!!! THERE ARE CERTAINLY PLENTY OF NURSING STUDENTS!!!!!!!
Any seasoned nurses please reply and let me know!!!

NURSE SHORTAGE?????

Nursing shortage
I hate to be negative but some of what was posted by AG1KULRN on 3/15/08 is right on the money. All of the shortages are on evenings and nights and most of these jobs include weekends. There arent enough educators and preceptors for the students so there is a limited space for students. I have found that most people are getting into nursing for the money, which really isnt that great if you look at the toll it takes on you. With that being said, however, I think you can still find a rewarding career as a nurse if your primary goal isnt to make money. SOme of the most rewarding nursing jobs pay on the lower end of the scale.

You mentioned that you want to be an RN but cant get into school. Sounds like you are in it for the right reasons, a calling, as they say. Keep trying, set your mind to it, think positive, picture yourself there. Set up meetings with the program directors, etc. It will happen.

You may also want to look into LPN schools, some schools now have programs for LPN's to get their RNs and its easier to get in. Good luck!!

actually.......
I actually just did a research paper on the nursing shortage. One of the reason I found for the shortage is as said above, lack of educators and preceptors. Another factor is nurse burn-out and retirement. A lot of the baby boomer nurses are retiring, and those that are not retiring are burnt out and changing careers. Nursing schools accept their maximum amount of students that they can but only a small percentage of those actually graduate. So when a student fails out or quits, there isn't an alternate to jump into that spot mid-semester (understandably so).

So despite the school accepting top candidates, the graduating new nurses are not equaling the nurses leaving the field. Compouding the problem is the lack of educators. Schools would love to accept more applicants but due to the lack of educators/budgets they are unable to.

Its a crazy cycle and believe me, I feel your frustration. What kills me to hear at my campus is "well, i was accepted into the nursing program, but I dont know what I want to do, maybe I'll just register and see if I like it" There is the attitude in one sentence that snowballs the shortage. They've just taken up a spot that could have been given to someone who, like you, has the drive and desire to become a nurse.