Shortage of RN

[redsand]

If there is an RN shortage, why don't employers put in noncompete clauses in the employment contracts as a deterrent to quitting for another job? I suppose a noncompete clause wouldn't deter RNs from taking travel RN positions. (I am honestly wondering because I've never seen it discussed; if a noncompete clause is used for physician contracts to help prevent physicians from leaving and working for a competitor locally, why isn't it used for other healthcare professionals' contracts?)

A relatively recent article about a hospital system that sued another so that workers would remain to work shifts at the hospital system where they had served their notice: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/24/u...wisconsin.html.

[AR]

I just left the OR and the CRNA has been here for >15 years. However, for the last 2 years he has shifted from staff to "locums." Same exact job, much better pay. Still lives at home.

I've seen this before. The difference is that the locums don't get any benefits, which is actually a huge cost-savings. When you add the value of the benefits, the employed individual is actually "paid" more. But if you don't want or need the benefits, this is a good strategy.

[childay]

I just left the OR and the CRNA has been here for >15 years. However, for the last 2 years he has shifted from staff to "locums." Same exact job, much better pay. Still lives at home.

Did he go through a locums agency? Pretty crazy

[CK36]

I recently worked with a ED RN who quit her job at a nearby hospital and took locums gig, same town for 2xs the pay as her previous employer. W2 with benefits option through the locums company. She was a good nurse. I hope when the music stops she isn't left without a chair or local job.

I just left the OR and the CRNA has been here for >15 years. However, for the last 2 years he has shifted from staff to "locums." Same exact job, much better pay. Still lives at home.

[GlassPusher]

Couldn’t we just use AI to replace RNs? After all, their job is more algorithmic and requires substantially less training than a mid-level or a primary care physician.

Well if pigeons can do my job the rest of you don't have much hope.
https://www.science.org/content/arti...-human-experts

[CordMcNally]

How hard is it to get a travel nurse job in one's home city? Given the shortage, it can't be that bad.

I *think* there's some restrictions as far as having your home address a certain distance from the hospital. I don't know all the ins and outs on the requirements to be considered a traveler but there's always loopholes that people use to 'travel' in the city they live in.

[Nysoz]

CNAs can’t pass meds or assess patients. Sure you can teach them that stuff. It’s called nursing school.

My wife was one of those nurses getting $19/hr as a brand new RN. It’s one of the reasons why we moved.

As for the shortage better pay and mandated ratios would help retain nurses. There’s quite a few leaving bedside because of the unsafe ratios and the stress associated. Then cue the pandemic and all the unvaccinated patients and families being aggressive and demanding to the staff. Which exacerbates the above.

Then CNAs, environmental, cafeteria staff left too so on top of the nursing duties, now the nurses have to do those jobs too (at least passing trays part).

[artemis]

Some "traveling nurses" actual have a lifestyle desire. Ski in the winter, sounds like the Rockies. Want some sun, lets do Phoenix. Next?

I have a friend whose daughter is working as a travel nurse for just that reason. She's using the experience to figure out where in the US she'd like to settle long-term. (Reno NV is looking to be the likely winner.)

[Tim]

COVID isn’t really the issue any more for many places. At least for my area, COVID never truly overwhelmed the hospitals. The lack of staffed beds is what overwhelmed the hospitals. It’s been a while since I’ve admitted a COVID patient. Nurses now understand how poorly they’ve been supported (along with nearly every other healthcare worker) all along. Their time is spent doing unnecessary tasks and useless charting instead of actual patient care. The same can be said for physicians.

Not the case for college graduating students two years ago. 2-4 years depending on the program. A newly minted NP would go for the money in the vast majority of cases. Some "traveling nurses" actual have a lifestyle desire. Ski in the winter, sounds like the Rockies. Want some sun, lets do Phoenix. Next?
Covid was a problem before vaccines. The pipeline was interrupted is likely.

[StateOfMyHead]

How hard is it to get a travel nurse job in one's home city? Given the shortage, it can't be that bad.

I recently worked with a ED RN who quit her job at a nearby hospital and took locums gig, same town for 2xs the pay as her previous employer. W2 with benefits option through the locums company. She was a good nurse. I hope when the music stops she isn't left without a chair or local job.

[AR]

I agree but money isn’t everything for some people. It’s a great option for a young single nurse with no dependents.

How hard is it to get a travel nurse job in one's home city? Given the shortage, it can't be that bad.

[StateOfMyHead]

It would also be helpful that NP schools don’t basically admit 100% if their applicants.

Absolutely no requirements and in fact some even have rolling admissions so you don't have to wait for fall semester to get into a program. I guess there is no program? Just pay the tuition, sign up for online courses and have at it?

[CordMcNally]

Even if they could find an NP job, they're not going to beat $8K/wk. They shouldn't be bothering to even look right now.

I agree but money isn’t everything for some people. It’s a great option for a young single nurse with no dependents.

[CordMcNally]

Why jump into the fire with Covid? Just signup for classes.

COVID isn’t really the issue any more for many places. At least for my area, COVID never truly overwhelmed the hospitals. The lack of staffed beds is what overwhelmed the hospitals. It’s been a while since I’ve admitted a COVID patient. Nurses now understand how poorly they’ve been supported (along with nearly every other healthcare worker) all along. Their time is spent doing unnecessary tasks and useless charting instead of actual patient care. The same can be said for physicians.

[AR]

I’ve also seen a handful of new NPs continue to work as an RN because they can’t find an NP job.

Even if they could find an NP job, they're not going to beat $8K/wk. They shouldn't be bothering to even look right now.