The nursing shortage no longer is as pressing as it was in recent years but is likely to rear again in the future, according to a published report.
Schools that produce people set to fill nursing jobs have seen their enrollments gain during the trying times of the economic recession, Mass Live reports. But as the economy continues its recovery and baby boomers drive toward Medicare years en masse, the shortage of nurses is likely to come storming back.
"In years past, our medical centers and hospitals were hiring significant numbers of new graduate nurses. But, beginning about 2009, our graduates have been taking longer to find their first position," director Kathleen B. Scoble with the nursing division at Elms College in Chicopee, Massacusetts, told the news source. "Before, (they) would have their jobs lined up by March before they graduated, sometimes choosing from five different offers. Now, my estimation is that it’s taking our graduates to September for the majority of them to land a position."
She also noted that a large amount of nurses are venturing into variations of the career that do not coincide with their original aspirations from years ago.
All registered nurses are mandated to pass a national licensing examination, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.