I am not a nurse, but my closest friend works in hospital admin. It is very hard for new grads to get jobs here. Older nurses just aren't retiring because of the economy. And this doesn't apply just to MGH and the Brigham, where everyone wants to work; it even is happening at community hospitals.
I do think the nursing shortage is real, though, in most parts of the country.
Go for the bachelors, Amanda. From what I know, it opens up a lot more options and the pay is much better, at least around here.