Tough times keep nurses working

Many nurses are staying on due to the recession

Many states are facing a growing shortage of nurses, but they are finding an unlikely retention factor - albeit temporary - is working in their favor: the recession.

Nurses across the country who have reached retirement age are opting to keep their jobs a little longer to continue to make ends meet. "By October and November of last year, the economy was just getting too scary," said nurse Susan Frey, 63, quoted by the Miami Herald."Now, my retirement plans are in a state of flux."

Some hospitals and clinics are finding that their growing need for nurses has suddenly vanished, and in some cases, it has become a surplus, as some nurses are coming out of retirement or other industries to work in the healthcare field.

While this may appear to be good news, experts like Anette Smith-Dohring, the workforce development manager for the Sacramento health system, cautioned that when the economy levels out, the healthcare industry will see a wave of retirements, which may create an even deeper nurse shortage than today's.

"We're OK for today, but what will happen if that additional production in nurses isn't there?" said Smith-Dohring to the Miami Herald.
While young nurses may be daunted by these circumstances, their services may be crucial to the health of America's ailing population when the recession subsides, which could translate into job security and excellent wages.