Shortage of nursing positions?

[Arimeh]

Hello!

I was told by my SIL (who is currently studying nursing) that there is a shortage of jobs in the nursing industry at the moment, which is quite concerning us considering DH wants to study nursing next year!!

He's not sure whether to go that way now, he doesn't want to study for 3 years then be unable to get a job. He's thinking of becoming a paramedic now instead, and is researching that option as a back up.

Are there any nurses on here that can tell us if there is in fact a shortage of positions vacant? Especially in the Brisbane area?

Thanks for any thoughts/help/advice.....

[Olive]

wow ive heard its the opposite!
we recruit o/s nurses cos we dont have enough..maybe im wrong

[Traveller]

I have heard that not all graduate nurses will be able to find a graduate position, but they will still be able to get a job it just might be casual initially. There is a big demand for nurses still but mainly for ones with a years experience, hence the shortage of graduate positions where extra training and support is needed.

[Arimeh]

I have heard that not all graduate nurses will be able to find a graduate position, but they will still be able to get a job it just might be casual initially. There is a big demand for nurses still but mainly for ones with a years experience, hence the shortage of graduate positions where extra training and support is needed.

Ahhh that must of been it. She is in her 2nd year of study and is going for the only job available or something along with lots of other people.

So he shouldn't worry?

[Traveller]

nah he shouldn't worry. We have been told by a grad nurse that you would have to get pretty shocking grades to miss out on a grad position and even then there will be job opportunities, as little chicken says, in aged care.

[feeb]

As others have said will always be jobs in aged care. I know some of the casual banks have put a hold on employment at present. And agency staff not getting a lot of work in public sector but getting some in private.

The main issue is they want experienced staff which makes it hard for the new grads to get experience but getting a toe in the door is all that is needed.

I know paramedics course in VIC is very hard to get into as limited places.

Hope he gets what he wants.

[delphmoon]

At the moment that major shortage is En's (Division 2 nurses) although RN's (Division 1 nurses) are always in demand.

The whole area of nursing is undergoing some pretty drastic changes which is causing an overhaul of the RN's current role. RN's are now moving into a more managerial type roles as EN's step up into doing medications, care planning and wound care (which traditionally have been more RN roles).

So...basically, there isn't a shortage of positions more a transition of what these roles are and where you will find them.

Studying to be an RN is still very much worthwhile. The perceived lack of graduate positions exists only for those who have no overall nursing experience so maybe when you are training for RN do some personal care work to keep up with the work force.

Happy to chat more if you like

[Little Chicken]

Considering the amount of agencies looking for overseas nurses, and the aging nursing population, I highly doubt it is true. At the very least, the aged care industry will boom in a few years, and they are always looking for qualified nurses.

[sahbear]

Th company I work in HR for, needs to recruit regularly from overseas for RNS as there is a shortage. That's in aged care, which I know isn't as sort after as other types of nursing.

(we are in most states of Aus, including Qld, and specifically Brisbane!)

[peanutter]

from what I understand, there's always an enomous demand for male nurses, so he might be ok anyway ... but someone with industry knowledge might be able to confirm