Nursing
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that:
- jobs for Registered Nurses (RNs) will grow 23 percent by 2008; that's faster than the average for all other occupations;
- about half of the RN workforce will reach retirement age in the next 15 years;
- the average age of new RN graduates is 31, consequently they are entering the profession at an older age and will have fewer years to work than nurses traditionally have had;
- RN enrollments in schools of nursing are down. In fall 2000, entry-level BSN enrollment fell by 2.1 percent, dropping for the sixth year in a row, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
Today the world is facing a nursing shortage which is more critical than ever before. This shortage is different due to a diminishing supply of new Registered Nurses entering the profession and a growing demand for health care as the baby boom generation approaches retirement. The shortage also occurs at a time when nursing, a traditionally female profession, has lost some of its luster as a career opportunity. Today’s women have more options than they did before, so the nursing profession has begun to actively recruit from non-traditional populations. The profession wants to expand and include people from various cultural, educational and socioeconomic backgrounds. It also seeks to actively recruit more males into the profession. As the demands of health care in America change and increase, the field needs to more accurately reflect today's diverse population.
Nursing is the largest health care profession with 2.6 million RNs in the US. Nursing is both an art and a science. It blends a scientific mind, technological know-how, a compassionate heart, and healing hands. RNs work to promote health, prevent disease and help patients cope with illness. They often serve as advocates and health educators for patients, families and communities. While primarily concerned with the physical aspects of health and illness, they also tend to the psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of health and wellness. Nurses use a holistic approach to care for the entire individual. As professionals who are responsible for coordinating patient care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, nurses have a unique relationship with patients and must understand all aspects of their care. While State laws govern the tasks that RNs perform, it is generally their work setting that dictates their daily duties.
So while the job outlook for many occupations is tough these days, nursing in high demand. The nursing profession offers well paying jobs and a sense of job security that few other fields are able to offer. The career outlook is excellent for the nursing field thanks to an ever-growing need for healthcare workers. To entice newcomers to the profession, some hospitals are even offering signing bonuses for new and experienced nurses. Of course the profession is no longer limited to the hospital setting, a nursing career offers extensive and varied job opportunities throughout the health care arena. It also provides individuals with a myriad of career pathways that can be blended with any lifestyle.
- To learn more about a career in nursing, click here
- To learn more about pursuing an education in nursing, click here
- To learn more about Clayton State's Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program, click here
- To learn more about financial aid opportunities, click here
- To learn more about licensure and certification in nursing, click here
- To learn more about professional organizations in the nursing profession, click here