What's the job scene like for nurses?

the deftone

Im thinking of returning to education to study nursing. I was wondering if anyone knew what the employment situation is for nurses? Are they in high demand or is there a lack of jobs?

Thanks for any info!

Mr. Loverman

There are lots of nursing jobs... http://www.dole.ie/search/advanced/category/all/title/nurs/

theteal

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

There are lots of nursing jobs... http://www.dole.ie/search/advanced/category/all/title/nurs/

a quick look at the first results there show that they're mostly nursing home jobs. no trained nurse wants to work in a nursing home unless they've no other option.

truth be told, the current landscape for actual nursing jobs is a little barren. my location on the left of this post is a direct result of this fact. it should get better in the coming years as there will be retirements which should open up places for new staff but I can't imagine that's guaranteed with even more government cutbacks ahead

ads20101

the deftone wrote: »

Im thinking of returning to education to study nursing. I was wondering if anyone knew what the employment situation is for nurses? Are they in high demand or is there a lack of jobs?

Thanks for any info!

Not great at the mo. jobs for grads appears sporadic at best, and those lucky enough to get into the HSE are mostly getting temp contracts with reduced wages.

However, for those of us in the system already, we can see that we need a lot of nurses to keep the services running - even with the increased efficiencies.

So by my reckoning we should've sorted out this mess within the next 4 years, and it could be a rather good time to commence training.

Ending with a bit of positivity, remember becoming a registered nurse from either here or the UK is internationally recognised. So if jobs are still sparse (and if they are, I'd hate to see the state of our health service) then you will always have the option of travel. But that's not an option for everyone for a variety of reason.

Mrs OBumble

theteal wrote: »

no trained nurse wants to work in a nursing home unless they've no other option.

Ahh, I think that's quite a broad statement. I know a few nurses who are delighted to be using their professional skills providing nursing home level care for older people, and far prefer it to the public hospital "rush 'em out the door as fast as possible" setting.

Granted, it's not everyone's cup of tea. Neither is working in A&E, or NICU or surgery or community mental health - I also know nurses who'd take a nursing home over those situations any day.

theteal

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Ahh, I think that's quite a broad statement. I know a few nurses who are delighted to be using their professional skills providing nursing home level care for older people, and far prefer it to the public hospital "rush 'em out the door as fast as possible" setting.

Granted, it's not everyone's cup of tea. Neither is working in A&E, or NICU or surgery or community mental health - I also know nurses who'd take a nursing home over those situations any day.

apologies, with typing on the my phone whist rushing out the door I omitted the word "newly" before trained. While it is still a relatively broad statement I would think it's fairly accurate

Tipperary animal lover

the deftone wrote: »

Im thinking of returning to education to study nursing. I was wondering if anyone knew what the employment situation is for nurses? Are they in high demand or is there a lack of jobs?

Thanks for any info!

If you get employment here great but there crying out for nurses in oz and Canada, have a sister in oz and she's working away shes been sponsored, they want Irish nurses as there trained at a very high level same in Canada sister in law went two years ago and herself and my brother love it there.

ABajaninCork

Depending on what you want to specialise in, you might want to head to the UK when qualified. Irish nurses are always in demand, especially in psychiatric and paediatric care. No sponsorship or work permit problems either!

(Daughter of a SRPN here! )

UK/Irish trained nurses in very high demand in the US too. My cousin trained in the UK and now works in the US.

Equality

Plenty of work abroad. Nursing is an excellent career choice, so long as you are willing to emigrate.

Limited opportunities in Ireland, and these are becoming more limited. The workload is being transferred from the nurse (more expensive) to the care assistant (a less expensive employee).

Pay in Ireland is likely to be reduced again, moving the salary to one that is not a living wage for new entrants to the profession.