Almost Half of Nurses Plan Career Change within 3 Years
Posted on 04. Feb, 2010 in News Stories
As many of you surely know, our nation is experiencing a nursing shortage. Well, AMN Healthcare recently conducted and published a survey of 1,399 nurses and their career satisfaction. They found that 28% of nurses do not plan to be in their current job just a mere one year from now.
In addition, 29% indicated they plan to reduce their hours or involvement, or leave the field altogether in 1 to 3 years. On top of that, another 15% plan to change or advance their nursing career, such as becoming a nurse practitioner. This totals to a 44% of America’s nurses that do not plan to be in their current positions within 3 years.
The study also showed that 55% of nurses feel the quality of care provided by nurses has declined since 5 years ago. However, 59% do not regret at all choosing nursing as a career and would do it all over again, while 64% would recommend it to the young people just starting out. (That’s still a whopping 36% who would not recommend it.)
The survey provides a glimpse into what might be the problems, including the lack of qualified educators and high turnover and retirement rates coupled with exploding demand. Many leave their jobs because of the poor work environments. Almost half of the nurses in the survey said their jobs negatively impacted their health.
What are your thoughts?
mjfan
Feb 4th, 2010
I bet most of those are going to fail at changing careers. Just planning doesn’t mean it’ll actually happen.
Cat
Feb 5th, 2010
The nursing shortage is a myth. There are always more nurses leaving nursing than entering the profession. But, there is till a shortage only in some areas of the country and in some specialty areas. Some of the nurses who plan on making a change are probably planning on entering some of the specialty areas where compensation is better. And actually nurses are pretty good at making career changes either upward in nursing or into other fields. Once you have a college degree, it’s not so hard to get another or go a different way. Real estate has always been a popular choice for burnt out nurses. With the economy the way it is, those realtor nurses are mostly back to working as nurses.
I think a significant point that was glossed over is that nurses feel healthcare is declining. That is absolutely true and should be cause for worry to everyone.
What_The_Heck
Feb 8th, 2010
I never realized this was an issue out there. I remember hearing that there was a shortage of doctors but nurses as well? I guess it is understandable with what nurses have to deal with on a day to day basis. As for the nurses saying the job has impacted their health I know 2 nurses personally and they both complain of bad backs and pulled muscles amongst other types of ailments.
New Grad
Feb 24th, 2010
Nursing shortage… uh-huh. Ask a new graduate nurse about the nursing “shortage.” Nursing schools are pumping out new nurses right and left, but unfortunately the state of our economy has put these nurses in a catch 22. Hospitals have LOTS of vacancies, but will only hire nurses with experience. New graduate nurses without experience cannot get hired because they lack the requisite time in the field and instead, are serving you your meal at your local restaurant chain. It is a tragedy and I wish there was a solution in the future.
bbot
Apr 12th, 2010
Nursing has many rewards, but also many many drawbacks. I want the public to be aware that nurses give, give, and give. They are underpaid, overworked, stressed, and all the while, smile through it. They are required to tolerate abuse from patients, physicians, family members, etc all in the name of customer service. Be aware that your nurse has great intentions, but if you are not turned precisely every two hours, your neighbor in the next room may be coding, your physician may be calling with orders, or someone elses pain of 10/10 came first. Healthcare is not perfect. Athletes are paid millions of dollars for your viewing pleasure, but nurses, who may save your life or the life of someone you love,who by the way, work holidays to serve you, are barely making ends meet. Let’s give credit where credit is due. Next time you need health care, please just thank the person taking care of you rather than finding a reason to complain.