Shortage of nursing positions?

[Little Chicken]

I think it depends on the area he wants to work. The job I am starting, they actually created new positions because they liked everyone they interviewed, and HR approved all the new positions in a heartbeat. Like any industry, things change. Just because grad positions are hard to get now, doesn't mean they will be in three to four years. Nurses, like teachers and police, are always needed, just maybe not in the all areas all the time.

[Mother Goose]

I know a heap of casual nurses who are NEVER short of work.

I would suggest that the employability will depend on the area he is going to look at. To be honest, I don't know many nurses who have trouble getting work. What I like about nursing is that there are SO many areas you can move across to. If you get sick of the ward you're in or the specialty, there are so many more to try! It's not just mainstream nursing either - there is Forensic Nursing (people with criminal histories), Mental Health, School Nursing, GP's office, OHS nurses (a lot of big private companies employ these), there is nursing in remote areas, mining companies, there is community nursing, immunisations, research, clinical trials, education...honestly, there are SO many areas you can explore! (some of them require extra training)

Just want to point out that it is actually much harder to get work as a paramedic than a nurse. To put it in perspective, there are two Universities that offer Paramedical sciences in Vic (or is it 3 now?). Each year there are over 200 graduates. MAS takes approximately 50-80 per year...when they recruit. There have been years they HAVEN'T recruited. And it is very very competitive. And if he is considering studying in one State and then working in another, make sure the course is going to be recognised in the State/Territory you plan to settle in because they are not all compatible.

[The[cookie]Doctor]

To put it in perspective, there are two Universities that offer Paramedical sciences in Vic (or is it 3 now?).

ACU started offering this year for the first time B. of Paramedicine so maybe 3

[Catastrophic]

There is a great need for nurses...

But as a third year student nurse, we have all been told that there is NOT enough graduate positions for us all. So we are very worried about who of us will get a grad program and what the other's will do without one. It is very concerning. Qld health has mentioned that they don't employ student nurses (just comming out) without a grad program, so leaves your options limited.


So he will get a job, it just might not be where he wants (those that don't get grad programs go into other area's such as nursing home work, agency etc, medical centres, that type of thing)

[Mother Goose]

ACU started offering this year for the first time B. of Paramedicine so maybe 3

then 3 Monash, ACU, Victoria Uni. That's a lot of graduates each year! Well...maybe not for a couple of years 'cause you have to give ACU time to get through the degree!