Nursing shortage made worse through ignorance

Expereinced nurses, that is, "well rounded", are unable to land nursing employment at this day and age because they are not "specialized". I don't know how many nurses today realize that being well rounded, or a "jack of all trades" will not pay off in the long run. There are nurses today who would like to work but are having difficulty landing ANY job because potential employers want "experienced" nurses. Even in long term care facilities, where they are often hurting for the lack of staff, are not hiring unless the nurses has previous experience.

In a time where nurses are desparatly needed employers seem to be cutting their own throats, and perhaps in essence risking the health of the patients in their facilities. If there are unemployed nurses WILLING to return to the work force (and sometimes this unemployment has lasted no longer than 3 months from their previous job) employers should be willing to train and mentor.

For myself, I feel much like a high school student who is unable to find work because they do not have experience, and can't get that experience unless someone gives them work. I have been an RN for 21 years (working fulltime for 17 of those; casual the other 4), have never been "let go", "fired", or placed under investigation, I'm honest, hardworking, a team player, willing and able, yet because I have been a generalist for so long I am not seen as employable. Due to financial situations I have not been able to complete my BN studies. Now, I have not written this as a "poor me" entry, but as a warning to other nurses and certainly employers. Specializing in several areas of nursing (1 or 2 anyway) will be in a nurses best interest for the long haul. For employers, under todays circumstances they must think more ahead, perhaps change their ways of doing things and learn to use potential staff more wisely. If nurses can no longer find work in their profession they will not, can not afford to, just sit and wait. They will seek work (education too as monies and circumstance allow) in other fields. The world will lose yet another health care worker for the future because of blind site by those who could make a difference.