A Nationwide Shortage in Qualified Personnel Means Plenty of Jobs in Nursing

by Gabriel Traverso
gabriel.traverso@careertrainingdirectory.com
Career Training Directory Columnist

The US Health Resources and Services stated in an April 2006 report that in order to meet the projected demand for nurses the country needs approximately 90% more graduates from nursing programs. They projected that if current trends continue the US will be short over one million nurses by the year 2020. What does this mean for those considering a degree in nursing? The likelihood of you quickly finding a nursing job is very high!

Registered nursing is the largest employment sector of the health care industry with over 2.4 million jobs, most of which are in hospitals. Additionally, registered nurses are projected to create the second largest number of new jobs among all occupations across all industries — with an increasing gap between the number of positions and the number of qualified personnel.

Becoming a Nursing Professional

To become a nurse you must graduate from an approved nursing degree program and pass the national licensing exam, known as the NCLEX-RN. Most in nursing opt for a bachelor’s degree in nursing, however you can qualify for many entry-level jobs with an associate degree or by graduating from a hospital administered diploma program. Getting a degree in nursing can pay off with a good wage — the US Dept. of Labor in May 2004 reported median annual earnings of $52,330. Because of the growing demand for RNs you don’t have to look too far to find an approved nursing degree program including online degree programs.

Nursing: A Meaningful, Soulful Career

For many, entering the health care industry is not about the job security or the money. Those are just external benefits. The hours can be long and the work can be tiring. However, you go home every day knowing you made a positive impact in someone’s life and that you’re helping people. To many RNs this is the real reason to consider a degree in nursing. If you feel drawn to the health care industry and really want to help people, start your search for the nursing degree program that’s right for you.

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About the Author

In addition to being a freelance writer, Gabriel Traverso is also an independent musician and artist. He resides in Reno, NV.