Hi, I have completed most of my pre-reqs and even some courses taught normally during the 2 year course. I have been getting a lot of conflicting information about available jobs. On one hand, I keep hearing there is a shortage, and it may exceed 800K by the year 2012. On the other hand, I keep visiting various sites and seeing people post about the lack of jobs available to RNs fresh out of school? since I am already 45, I hope to find something pretty quickly.

Has anyone experienced a problem getting a job? Are we truely in a critical nursing shortage? It seems to me that if we are, hospitals would be open to bringing in new RNs, orienting them, training them, and giving them incentive to stay.

When my wife graduated RN school back in the mid 80's, she went straight to work on one of the floors she did clinicals on while in school. They even used to give them 500 hr bonuses to keep the nurses from leaving. Since then, the bonuses have gone away, and eventhough she still works in the same area, they routinely give L.O.W.s when the census is low. Then again, they are always calling asking her to work extra shifts when they are short nurses.

All the info out there is very conflicting...  any insight from the board would be great. Thanks !!!

Oh yea, has anyone here ever completed a LPN to Rn Bridge program, or know of anyone who has? Any insight would be great ....

Thanks for the reply.... Sounds like I might as well go ahead and strive for the Bachelors degree while I am at it to increase my chances.