Nurse Shortage vs. Nursing Job Shortage "contradiction"
August 15, 2010
I'm a little confused by this Slate magazine story on what is apparently a contradiction in nursing: there is a shortage of nurses at a time when there is a glut of nurses looking for a job.
I can't figure out if the story is saying that there are many nurses out there needing jobs, but many are not willing to deal with the working conditions - four 10-hour work days a week, and having to deal with mind-numbing, bureaucratic paperwork.
Or that it is saying there is a need for nurses, but not enough money to pay for them, i.e., there are layoffs going on, but technically they still need the staff.
Or that there are nurses looking for jobs, but they do not necessarily have the qualifications for the areas in which they are most needed?
I suppose the story itself is open-ended, since it asked for readers to comment and give their input. I thought I'd pass this along to this Reporting on Health community, in case you've also seen this contradiction and given it some thought.
I would love to understand this issue better, as it would help with any stories I do on local nursing programs.
Comments
Three of the biggest
Three of the biggest factors:
Ah, that makes a lot more
Ah, that makes a lot more sense to me now. There was more of a chronological flow to the way you said it. Thanks so much.
In California, at least, you
In California, at least, you would think the nursing ratio mandates would create quite a bit of demand. Here is one study on the impact, published last year.