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The economy has forced many industries to cut back on hiring, and health care is no different. A recent study from the Wisconsin Hospital Association shows that more hospitals are hiring fewer nurses.

Many nursing students are finding it hard to find a job after graduation. The WHA says vacancies for registered nurses are the lowest they have been in 10 years.

"Sometimes it's a matter of looking further, sometimes it's a matter of thinking about mobility, or the particular setting that the person might be looking at," says Sheila Smith, Assistant Dean of Nursing at UW-Eau Claire.

The economy is certainly part of the reason. The WHA says 46-percent of nurses are over the age of 50. Many of them have no plan to retire any time soon, which means fewer jobs for graduating students.

"We do see a little bit of an older workforce, and particularly in nursing," adds Smith. That seems to be true."

That is not the only reason jobs are scarce. Luther Midelfort says fewer people are going to the doctor because they cannot afford it. Because of that, hospitals are hiring less. For example, in 2008, Luther Midelfort hired 84 new nurses. In 2009, only 19 were hired.

"For us as an institution, we're continually looking at our staffing needs. And so we may have situations where we can move staff internally based upon meeting our patient needs," says Ken Lee, Director of Human Resources at Luther Midelfort.

So until the economy rebounds, Smith says nursing students might need to open up their searches.

The searches might be a little bit longer, it might require more applications to a few more settings and locations," adds Smith. "It requires, I think, some careful preparation on the part of the student."

Luther Midelfort says it expects hiring to pick up again next year.