Does The Reported Nursing Shortage Really Exist?

All jobs and industries have an ebb and flow between over and underemployment, but when it comes to a potential nursing shortage, people pay much more attention. That\’s because having qualified nurses in the right situations can make the difference between life and death for a huge number of individuals in a variety of different circumstances. Many people have been whispering about a looming nursing shortage right now, so it\’s important to take a look at the facts.

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.

There are many factors that are combining to help equal this shortage of qualified nurses. For one thing, nurses are moving outside of the hospital and into a growing number of different settings and roles. Almost 40% of qualified nurses work outside of hospitals now. Meanwhile, they are still the primary care givers in the hospital setting, and already outnumber physicians 4-to-1.

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.

Along with that is the fact that there is going to be a greater need for nurses. It\’s not just nurses who are getting older, the entire population is, and as baby boomers become seniors, then there is a huge new demand for healthcare in hospitals and all kinds of facilities.

But once again, it\’s certainly not time to panic at the prospects of this nursing shortage. Instead, if you are a student or you are looking for a career change, then consider this a golden chance to enter an industry that needs you. By obtaining an accelerated BSN in just 12-24 months, you can enter this dynamic field and have your choice of open positions and you\’ll be very highly sought after.

An online nursing course is the real ticket for success too, since 50% of RNs today have at least a BSN, which is up from just 25% a few decades prior. That means a premium is being placed on educated nurses, and an accelerated BSN is the best and the quickest way to move ahead with your career.

Numbers don\’t usually lie, and they mean here that a nursing shortage is real, it\’s on its way, and it could have a big impact on our society. So why just sit there and be unhappy with your own job? Start pursuing your accelerated BSN, and then get ready to fly into this exciting line of work where hundreds of thousands of open positions with high salaries and great benefits are awaiting you.

Accelerated Nursing Programs Thinking changing careers might be too difficult? Learn at your own pace, at times that suit you. Quick education options are out there.

Does The Reported Nursing Shortage Really Exist?

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