Nursing Shortage - False!

The article also says that from next year new strategies will be implemented to increase the number of graduates being offered positions. Keep in mind that this is only with QLD health and that there are graduate positions offered by a number of other institutions in the state.

I remember reading something similar in the SMH about students from NSW. From memory I think about 50% missed out. The article mentioned that those that missed out would try getting into Queensland.

Out of those 800+ graduates, would it be safe to assume that the majority are located in the Brisbane area. I'd also have it a guess that some hospitals are more popular for new graduates then others? There may be a nursing shortage, but not necessarily all at the same hospital where everyone applies.

If you have lived in Brisbane your entire life with your family, most people aren't going to want to graduate and then move away to get into the nursing sector. Some people may have partners, children, etc?

As such, most people who graduate would probably apply for jobs around Brisbane. If a lot of people are applying then obviously more people will miss out.

Same with teaching graduates. THere is always too many teachers to go around in the well populated areas but out west it is a different story.

The problem is no-one wants to move there and put in a few years before trying to move back?

Is the above fair points?

Cynn - You are correct, I did read that too. Politicians always say 'next year' They are not the most honest people out there hey?

Tickilish - I agree with you 100%. You do need to work hard and you do need a good attitude. My main point is that i am reading stories of current mid year nursing grads who have poured their heart and soul in their course and placements, yet are left with no grad job. They then can not find any casual or agency work because you need '12 months experience'

Richard - You raise some very good points. I agree, you should not be fussy with your job and to begin with you should grab any nursing job to get your foot in the door and show them what you are made of. However, I'm reading that most rural areas do not recruit mid year and once again, the problem is the same. Not enough grad positions for the number of university graduates that current universities are churning out.

Elle - You are a classic example of what I fear if i leave my full time job and study nursing. That was great you finally found something. That registration stuff seems very strange and was actually not aware of it. Amazing. I wish you all the best in being the best possible nurse you can be.

From what I have read so far and doing my intense research in the real job prospects for graduate nurses, I am not filled with confidence. Better to do my boring full time job, at least that will put food on the table. Hopefully this current nursing graduate unemployment problems is to do with the current economic downturn and will pick up in 2011-2013.

I understand that yes it sucks that new grads arent getting jobs but since when did finishing a degree guarantee you a job? I think people's expectations are too high and they go into a nursing degree with these expectations there will be a job at the end which is very unreasonable. Id like to hear of other professions where a job is a given at the end of the qualification. All jobs are hard to come by especially in todays economy and nursing is no different. Yes, there is a shortage of nurses in the workforce and it seems very unfair that newly trained nurses are being dismissed but if you go look on the qld health job website you will notice that the majority of jobs advertised are for advanced nursing positions ie clinical nurses & higher. I graduated from uni 4 years ago and despite having plenty of job oppurtunities there was always that fear that there would be no job at the end. There was never an expectation that I would be guaranteed a job and I dont know what has happened in the last 4 years but now it seems every nursing student I meet is under the impression they deserve a job at the end and its 'disgraceful' that there arent enough grad positions to go around. Im sorry, but thats called 'life'!

of course universities use false advertising, they only care about money. i think doing a 4yr degree with the last 12months as a year of paid prac to equal 1yr experience would be an idea to help grads have more experience but then again it is already hard enough to find enough prac placements as it is let alone a year long prac for all students. not every job requires at least 12 month experience. yes i know alot of jobs do, but there are still jobs that dont and i know plenty of graduates who have gotten jobs and not graduate programs quite easily.

hiring more graduates isnt going to solve the nursing shortage. increasing the number of junior staff into a workplace will place alot of strain on the existing staff and especially the graduates. this extra stress will be too much for either the graduates or the experienced staff and more people will leave the nursing profession. increasing the number of junior staff in a workplace will also affect skill-mix which is dangerous to the public. im not saying junior staff are a danger but when a junior is left in charge of a ward or given too high a workload patient care will suffer and this increases the risk of an unfortunate event and also is too stressful for a graduate.

id like to take my workplace (ICU) as an example. we are not hiring any new grads next year because in the last 12 months we have had several experienced staff leave and replaced with mid-year grads or nurses with 1-2 years general experience but no ICU experience. the majority of staff are now junior with less then 8yrs experience and only 40% of staff have a post-graduate qualification in a specialist area. ICU is a highly specialist area which needs experienced staff. the medical director has placed a ban on hiring any new staff unless they are ICU experienced until at least 50% of the staff have a post-graduate degree to ensure a high level of experienced staff is there to ensure safe patient care. this post-graduate qualification will take 1-2 years so add on another 2 years of nursing graduates who wont be offered a program in our department. in the past we have hired 4-5 new grads each year. so now next year there is 4-5 less graduate positions available. the wards and other general nursing workplaces cannot pick up these extra places. when you consider this skill shortage is happening all over qld and add up all the graduate positions that cannot be offered for this reason, that is a huge factor in why there is not enough graduate positions.

the number of nursing students has also risen. tafe is now offering bachelor degree's in nursing. tafe & universities are shortening the duration of nursing degree's with summer semesters to pump out more gradutes more quickly. in qld, QUT has opened a new campus in Caboolture just for nursing. the northside district now has another 200 students each year on top of an increasing number of city university students all competing for jobs. enrolled nurses scope of practice is expanding and alot of places would rather hire them for less money instead of an RN. this is another factor contributing to the loss of graduate positions.

yes it sounds mean & unfair to say 'thats life' to all the graduates looking for non-existent jobs but unfortunetely thats the way it is. jumping up & down on a soapbox complaining about the situation wont fix it. its abit silly & naive for someone to go into a nursing degree thinking they will get a job at the end no worries because they believe what the media or university promise. there are no promises and this industry will chew you up and spit you out if you dont have your head screwed on properly.

despite the seriously pathetic situation the health system & the nursing profession is in right now, nursing is an excellent job to have and im thankful to be a part of it. the profession is always evolving and despite a few bumps in the road every now & then its a great industry to work in and to build a career out of. for those out there who are truly passionate about nursing then i hope you do follow your dreams and that things will be a bit better in the future for graduates in not only nursing but in all areas of healthcare.

Wake up students! Do your own research..... I am about to graduate , but I realised along time ago that roughly oz wide there are only about enough GNP for half of all graduates- did that news put me off no , because I want to nurse. We are supposed be crital thinkers and problem solvers , try using those skills. Did you bother during your interviews to ask if they hire new grads if they werent offered GNP( like a casual pool)? I did. Did you apply outside the square? I did . I applied in 3states , My hubby and I had discussed pssibilities for the last 3 years (I took 5 yrs )of my study. Do your research , not only on nursing but on skills you already possess and that will transfer into nursing. I know it's disheartnening but the employment for new grads is still great. The gnp is not the only answer. Sometimes you need to look outside the square.

I must admit the muck up with rego must be frustrating !

Sorry if my post sounded harsh, But when i finised beauty therapy the students complained of the same thing...... except those that did pack up and move ( even for a few months) did land great jobs.

I have many friends who have graduated in the last 2 years as well as this year all are working but not all got GNP. Quite a few have a job in the casual pool at the hospital. I asked about this in all my interviews and all said it was a real possibility with an average of 4-5 ahifts a week. However one hospital did say they gave no favours to grads and you would be expected to be at the same level of experienced RN's :( Mid year sounds very frustrating.
I actually think there is too much pressure on gaining a GNP considering oz wide there is only 50% available.....my uni had a career day while we were on our CTB - well she filled us with so much confidence , you need a gnp and without one you will not get a job, when challenged about this with the above statistic she ignored it and restated we would not work in the hospital. BULL cos then 14 friends of mine would not be working now and all are in the hospital system. I am just like everyone else and would prefer a GNP but also have plan A,B & C.

It can be scary to move or not possible due to partners , children etc. It also peeves me right off everytime i hear about the nursing shortage........ how do they think Ithey will get more experienced nurses ?By hiring new ones and training them. It kinda scares me - this attitude against new nurses , not that we wont get jobs etc but how stressed will the work force be in 5 yrs ?????
Just keep your chins up and try different avenues. What is everyone doing in the mean time? Just a suggestion but a few courses like wound mangement etc .What about agency? Aged care? Sorry just putting ideas out there. How accurate are the uni's jobs stats - because most uni advertise nursing as having 96+ % job rate after graduation????

Did anybody else find it weird that during interviews they didnt want to look at your clinical portfolios? or your grades ? It seems just passing was enough.

ECONOMY HAS TAKEN A HAMMERING

Look, people need to realise that we have just come out of a huge global finanical crisis. Governments have had to slash their budgets, and this will obviously impact on the amount of public servants, including nurses, that will be employed. There may be a nursing shortage, but if the Government cannot afford to pay for more staff then there is not much that can be done.

Therefore, it is no surprise that some nurses are finding it hard to secure employment. Just about every other occupation is the same at this point. The good news is, that the economy is improving with every passing day. On this front, the future is promising.

THE FACT REMAINS - THERE IS A NURSING SHORTAGE AND IT WILL GET WORSE

Queensland is having a population boom. There are numerous reports on the nursing shortage, do not get down on your prospects, having a nursing degree will open up many doors once you get through the first door. As the saying goes, the first job is always the hardest to obtain. If you have graduated, and can't find a job, then consider going back to uni and doing some post-grad study to increase your skillset and put you ahead of the game.

I still think that the GFC is a major reason my some nursing graduates are struggling to find jobs. But, still, it is the same with a heap of other jobs.Those who continue looking for jobs and don't give up will eventually prevail.

Here is an interesting article published in the Queensland Times, although it was published before the GFC took hold when you remember the GFC took hold in Sep 08. It was published in August 2008. It states that nursing grads from UQ have 100% employment with multiple offers.

http://omc.uq.edu.au/mediaclips/050808/00039628715.pdf

2 points.

1) The economy has no doubt had in impact on employment.

2) Does the quality of university you attend impact on your employment?

Through my intense research I have decided not to apply for a nursing course in 2011. The current employment landscape does not favour nursing graduates. I'm a male in my mid 20's who would jump on grenades to please my nurtsing employer. I would even move to the moon if it meant I could obtain a GNP. The Link Nursezilla provided was an excellent read and very scary. Even people who have successfuly obtained a grad year might not be employed at the end of the year. Just plain stupid.

Nursing is hard and sometimes yukky work. At least you always had employment ease and security. Now that is gone. Since I have a degree I could finish the grad entry nursing in 18 months(accelerated mode at Griffith) But there seems no point, as I could be left without work and then who would have to wait the following year to apply for a GNP. Well my current degree did not lead to degree related work, at least I have a full time job now. I would not want to leave and study again until I see some improvements in the nursing graduate situation.

One can only hope the government will fund more nursing places as the economy gets back on it's feet.

In america I have heard the market is so dreadful that it's nearly impossible to obtain a nursing job as a grad.

Good luck all current nursing students for 2011!