New Nursing Graduates Face Challenges Finding Jobs in S.F. Bay Area
Many new graduates from registered nursing programs are facing difficulties finding work in the San Francisco Bay Area, the San Francisco Business Times reports.
Details of the Trend
This summer, the rate of recruitment of RNs dropped to 1.6%, its lowest point in three years, according to the San Francisco Bay Area Labor Market Pulse.
The index also showed that several local hospitals gauged RN vacancy rates at less than 1%.
California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco hired just four new nurses last year, compared with 21 in 2009 and 122 in 2008.
Reasons for Slowed Recruitment
Carol Kunita, director of nursing resources at CPMC, said that demand for elective medical procedures has fallen as many local residents lost jobs and medical coverage in the economic downturn, which affected CPMC's hiring needs.
In addition, many older nurses have put off retiring because of the economic climate, according to Joanne Spetz, a professor in the schools of medicine and nursing at UC-San Francisco.
Outlook for Future Jobs
The shortage of nursing positions is expected to be temporary, according to the Business Times. A large number of nurses are expected to retire in the coming years, and greater numbers of baby boomers will be in need of health care services.
Nancy Shibata -- vice president and chief nursing officer at Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland -- said, "In three to five years, there will be a plethora of opportunities" (Rauber, San Francisco Business Times, 9/23).
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