In any field, industry or potential career you'll see that there are times when there are too many or too few individuals involved. Many people have been talking these days about a nursing shortage, and that's something that perks up the attention of people because that can have serious consequences in everyone's life. But is the nursing shortage real, and if it is, what's the full story on the situation?
First it's time for a few powerful statistics. The first is from the BLS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and it shows that the nursing shortage at the end of the decade will be nearly in the seven figures. They project 800,000 unfilled nursing positions. A corresponding statistic shows a need for 600,000 new RNs to join the industry by 2018. Both figures are powerful and shed some light on the situation.
So the first answer has to be that yes, the nursing shortage is real and it's something that needs to be taken seriously. But where did it come from? For one thing, nurses outnumber physicians in hospitals at about a 41 ratio, which shows how much of the day-to-day tasks they take on, perform and manage. Still, almost 40% of nurses now work outside of hospitals, showing their needs elsewhere. It's a ton of demand on the profession and it has spread nurses out a bit too thin.
Another factor to add into the mix is that nurses are becoming older than they were generations ago. The average age of nurses is now 47, versus just 40 about two decades ago. This figure means that more nurses are nearing retirement and leaving the workplace, which helps to create that need for replacement and new RNs to join the fold.
Still, another reason is that the demand for nurses is going to increase even more in the coming years. The baby boomers are becoming senior citizens, and there will be more need for care at all levels, adding another layer of complexity to the nursing shortage that has been brewing for some time now.
The best way to think about the nursing shortage though is to see it as an opportunity for students that are looking to begin their own careers. Literally hundreds of thousands of jobs will be opening up or becoming creating, and salaries are also on the rise. This is a quickly growing industry, and it's one that will always be needed, and never be outdone by any economic conditions or anything else.
Prospective students looking to get started should be pursuing a BSN degree so they can enter the workforce as fully qualified nurses, holding a respected education. With an online nursing program, programs can be finished in less than a year, and more RNs are pursuing this option. At least 50% of RNs have a BSN or higher today, up from 25% three decades ago, with additional increases expected.
The nursing shortage is only in the very beginning of its stages, but looking at the stats, it can get very large in a very short amount of time. Students can join the ranks of the in demand, qualified nurses, by pursuing an accelerated BSN and finishing in 12 months or less. There will be hundreds of thousands of jobs, rewarding, exciting careers and much more waiting for you at the finish line.
First it's time for a few powerful statistics. The first is from the BLS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and it shows that the nursing shortage at the end of the decade will be nearly in the seven figures. They project 800,000 unfilled nursing positions. A corresponding statistic shows a need for 600,000 new RNs to join the industry by 2018. Both figures are powerful and shed some light on the situation.
So the first answer has to be that yes, the nursing shortage is real and it's something that needs to be taken seriously. But where did it come from? For one thing, nurses outnumber physicians in hospitals at about a 41 ratio, which shows how much of the day-to-day tasks they take on, perform and manage. Still, almost 40% of nurses now work outside of hospitals, showing their needs elsewhere. It's a ton of demand on the profession and it has spread nurses out a bit too thin.
Another factor to add into the mix is that nurses are becoming older than they were generations ago. The average age of nurses is now 47, versus just 40 about two decades ago. This figure means that more nurses are nearing retirement and leaving the workplace, which helps to create that need for replacement and new RNs to join the fold.
Still, another reason is that the demand for nurses is going to increase even more in the coming years. The baby boomers are becoming senior citizens, and there will be more need for care at all levels, adding another layer of complexity to the nursing shortage that has been brewing for some time now.
The best way to think about the nursing shortage though is to see it as an opportunity for students that are looking to begin their own careers. Literally hundreds of thousands of jobs will be opening up or becoming creating, and salaries are also on the rise. This is a quickly growing industry, and it's one that will always be needed, and never be outdone by any economic conditions or anything else.
Prospective students looking to get started should be pursuing a BSN degree so they can enter the workforce as fully qualified nurses, holding a respected education. With an online nursing program, programs can be finished in less than a year, and more RNs are pursuing this option. At least 50% of RNs have a BSN or higher today, up from 25% three decades ago, with additional increases expected.
The nursing shortage is only in the very beginning of its stages, but looking at the stats, it can get very large in a very short amount of time. Students can join the ranks of the in demand, qualified nurses, by pursuing an accelerated BSN and finishing in 12 months or less. There will be hundreds of thousands of jobs, rewarding, exciting careers and much more waiting for you at the finish line.
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Increasing your level of education can improve your life. Just 1 short year and you could be a fully qualified nurse. Fast Track BSN The profession of nursing is on the rise.
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