Nikon D60.shutter release problem?

Nikon D60. I must press the shutter button repeatedly to get a pic more often than not. This happens with or without flash. I will depress the shutter release and the imaging lite will flash and the camera will beep. If I do nothing (move, select different subject etc) after 2 or 3 presses the photo will take… During this time the subject is focused and the photo comes out clear.

It's either you are shooting in very low light or the shutter release button is stuck. Take note that low light to you may already be pitch black darkness to the camera.

Sounds to me that you aren't locking the focus. If the focus doesn't lock first, the shutter will not fire.