Focus On Nursing: A High Demand, High Growth Job of the Future

If you’re looking for a job in the future, then nursing is one of the strongest candidates out there. Although some aspects of the role may be susceptible to automation—in Japan scientists have developed a robot that can hand out medication and collect records—the central importance of empathy and advanced motor skills to nursing jobs makes it highly unlikely that machines will be replacing humans at our bedsides any time soon.
But that’s not all: According to the 2014 U.S. Census Bureau report, by 2050, the number of U.S. residents aged 65 and over is projected to be 83.7 million. As the population ages, there will be ever greater demand for healthcare professionals of all stripes, including nurses. And unlike many other fast-growing “jobs of the future,” the doors of a nursing career are open to those without a college degree.
But there’s a flip side, one that’s all too familiar to employers. As demand for nurses rises, the supply of qualified candidates does not always keep up, with the result that the U.S. faces a nursing shortage. So what is to be done? To get a deeper insight into the situation, we spoke with Dr. Joyce Knestrick, president of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and an Associate Professor of Nursing at Georgetown University.
Although it’s a convenient shorthand to talk about “nursing,” the reality is that this is a rich and diverse field.
“That’s one thing I love about the nursing role—that there are so many different opportunities,” says Dr. Knestrick. “I think younger people aren’t necessarily aware of all of the opportunities within the field,” she adds.
Thus, while demand is high for registered nurse (RN) roles (projected to see an impressive 16% growth through 2024, according to the BLS) there are many possible specializations.
For instance, Dr. Knestrick cites roles in management, nursing administration and nurse practitioner roles (these are nurses with an advanced degree who combine clinical diagnostic and treatment expertise with an emphasis on illness prevention). Then there are pediatric, neonatal, psychiatric, mental specialists and women’s health nurse practitioners.
And this is not to mention the nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives or people working in nursing informatics, who combine health science, computer science and IT skills to manage large amounts of patient care data. The possibilities—if not quite endless—are wide and varied.
“There’s a lot of room for advancement in the advanced practice roles, but I think even for the bedside nurses, there are opportunities. There are so many varieties that people can really find their niche in nursing as a career,” says Dr. Knestrick, who points to her own background as an example.
She started her career practicing for a long-term nursing care facility with a primarily geriatric population. Then she worked in a large tertiary care hospital on a medical-surgical unit, followed by a stint in critical care, before going on to become a nurse manager in pediatric and medical-surgical units, and then teaching in a diploma school of nursing. She has now been a nurse practitioner for 25 years.
Exploring the nursing shortage
Yet although nursing is a high demand, “future proof” field with lots of room for professional growth, the shortage remains a serious issue at present— and is likely to remain so in the future. Says Dr. Knestrick: “According to most of the information I’ve seen about registered nurses, I believe that we’re still going to see a shortage.”
And of course, a shortage of RNs will later translate into a shortage of nurses with more advanced qualifications.
A big part of the problem is that while the aging population may be creating opportunities for healthcare professionals, today’s nursing workforce is also aging.
“The average age of a nurse is around 50,” says Dr. Knestrick. “It’s estimated that over 50% of nurses that are practicing are over the age of 50. This means that within 10 to 20 years they will be retiring from nursing, which will further add to the shortage.”
In fact, the Health Resources and Services Administration predicts more than one million registered nurses will reach retirement age within the next 10 to 15 years, leaving a significant number of jobs to be filled.
This represents not just nurses needing to be replaced, but also a significant loss of knowledge and expertise. As a result, not only do hospitals need to find lots of new nurses, but they need to facilitate the transfer of invaluable nursing wisdom before it is lost.
But here’s another problem: there is also a shortage of nursing teachers to prepare the next generation.
“In some cases, schools have turned down nursing applicants mostly because of the faculty shortage,” says Dr. Knestrick.
What is to be done?
In some states, there are already strategies in place to address the shortage of nurse educators. For instance, the Nurses for Wisconsin initiative provides fellowships and loan forgiveness for future nurse faculty who agree to teach in the state after graduation.
Meanwhile, some nursing schools have formed strategic partnerships to help boost student capacity. For instance, the University of Minnesota has partnered with the Minnesota VA Health Care System to expand enrollment in the schools’ Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing program.
These programs could help with the teaching shortage. But what can employers do?
1) Stress the purpose and potential of a nursing career
In an age when many people are seeking meaningful work, one strategy for attracting new talent is to highlight the social value of nursing and the wide variety of available career paths to candidates.
“They should know that nursing is a wonderful profession,” says Dr. Knestrick, “that there are plenty of opportunities. There will always be sick people and they are always going to need somebody to provide care for them.”
2) Don’t overload nurses
Hospitals seeking cost efficiencies may be tempted to increase the workload on nurses—but this increases the risk of burnout and can make the existing talent shortage worse, says Dr. Knestrick.
A European study of acute care hospitals found that a greater proportion of professional nurses at the bedside is associated with better outcomes for both patients and nurses—thus reducing the risk of staff turnover. So it’s vital to look closely at staffing patterns, and staff accordingly.
3) Talent may be available in other areas
Another option is to recruit nurses from different parts of the country, as demand varies according to geographic areas, says Dr. Knestrick.
Some estimates even project nursing surpluses in some Midwestern states such as Illinois and Minnesota, while states such as California and Colorado will see nursing shortages.
With the correct incentives, it may be possible to target nurses in areas with greater supply and recruit them to areas where demand is more difficult to meet.
4) Make it easier for nurses to acquire—and practice—advanced skills
Employers needing nurses with more advanced qualifications could help provide programs to help them get the masters or doctoral level qualifications needed to become nurse practitioners, says Dr. Knestrick. But there’s another important step, too. Currently, many states place limitations even on nurses with very advanced skills, forbidding them to practice without another healthcare professional in place, thus limiting the extent of the care they can provide their patients.
Many of these rules were written decades ago, says Dr. Knestrick, and don’t reflect current conditions. She recommends that employers “support changes in nurse practice act to remove barriers for nurses, particularly nurse practitioners, to practice to the full extent of their license and their education is essential.”
Of course, enacting these steps and won’t end the nurse shortage immediately, but they are good steps towards ensuring that we don’t run short of these important professionals.
Content courtesy of Indeed
Learn more:
Benefits of Going to College
Education or training beyond high school is important. A college degree gives you more opportunities and a better life. "The purpose of college is not…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Going Back to School to be a Registered Nurse
Want to change careers? See how becoming a registered nurse offers a relatively quick option for professionals to jumpstart a new, fulfilling career. In 2019,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
College Prep for High School Seniors
Parents - Are you staying on top of your high school senior student with important dates and tasks as they explore their next adventure after…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
October Info Sessions Now Available – Enrolling for January 2024
Sumner College is accepting applications for BSN, LPN and RNBSN classes. If you want to jump-start your #career in nursing, register to attend one of…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Tips to Stay Health in Nursing School
The key components to staying healthy during your nursing education and going forward are to minimize stress, a proper nutritional daily intake, and an active…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Sumner College Student of the Month: July 2023
Congratulations to ADN student, Kindra, for being awarded the Student of the Month for July 2023. Kindra was introduced to the nursing profession through their…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Sumner College Student of the Month: June 2023
Congratulations to PN student, Evan, for being awarded the Student of the Month for June 2023. Evan embarked on his nursing journey after hearing glowing…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Sumner College Student of the Month: May 2023
Congratulations to ADN student, Jerald for being awarded the Student of the Month for May 2023. Jerald is a dedicated Sumner College student on a…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Nursing and Care Staff Working in a Heatwave
During a heatwave, it is important we keep both staff and patients safe. It doesn’t matter if you work in a hospital, GP surgery, clinic,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Happy Labor Day!
Happy Labor Day! Here's to all the hard-working individuals who make our lives a little bit easier every day. Let's celebrate with some rest, relaxation,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Attention all nurses!
Attention all nurses! Continuing education is vital in expanding your skillset and staying one step ahead of the competition. Investing in further education brings many…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
New September Info Sessions – Registration Required
Are you looking to jump-start your #career in nursing? How about exploring Sumner College's BSN program? Aspiring nurses, join us for an information session in…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
School Nurse International Organization
School Nurses International provides a forum for nurses around the world working with school children to come together in a stimulating intellectual and happy environment…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
SNOW – School Nurse Organization of Washington
School Nurse Organization of Washington (SNOW) is a non-profit professional organization started in 1956. Mission Statement SNOW supports school nurses in the delivery of health…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Oregon School Nurses Association
The Oregon School Nurses Association (OSNA) advocates for the health and success of all children through equitable access to school nursing services. OSNA is the only state association…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Back to School Tool-Kit – School Nurses
Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year! Whether you are seasoned school nurse or in your first year on the job, NASN’s back-to-school toolkit highlights the…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Nursing Scholarships
Trying to figure out how to pay for nursing school? If your desire is to earn your BSN there could be a nursing scholarship, grant,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Start a new career journey – Attend a BSN Info Session and learn more about the Sumner College’s BSN Program
Have you been considering going to nursing school? Learn more about the new BSN program offered at Sumner College by attending one of the August…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
#Hiring
#Hiring at Sumner College! We are recruiting for a few great candidates to join our team at the Portland, Oregon Campus. The following positions are…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Classes Start Every Month – Phlebotomy – Mesa, AZ
Get ready to embark on a rewarding career in the medical field with Sumner's Phlebotomy Technician Program! Designed with convenience and quality in mind, our…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
The Importance of Phlebotomy to Medicine – New classes starting every month
Phlebotomists are skilled medical specialists who study in drawing blood after patients, typically for medicinal testing. Meanwhile, blood tests can offer data concerning a patient’s…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Practical Nursing – Get Started Today
Passionate about healthcare and eager to make a difference? Sumner College's Practical Nursing Program can pave your way to a rewarding career as a Licensed…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
BSN Classes Enroll Now
Sumner is committed to helping aspiring healthcare professionals realize their dreams. We're thrilled to announce that enrollment is open for our Bachelor of Science in…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
New Career – New YOU
Start a healthcare career when you graduate from Sumner's 8-week Phlebotomy Technician Program. Our program will prepare you for opportunities to work in hospitals, long-term…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
How to Become A Pediatric Nurse
This article is shared from Forbes. If you remember the scraped knees and splinters from childhood, you might also recall reluctant trips to the doctor’s…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Phlebotomy – Mesa
Looking for a comprehensive, flexible, and personal phlebotomy training program? Look no further than Sumner! We are proud to announce that enrollment is open for…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Nursing Classes Start Today!
Welcome to Sumner College. New BSN, PN and RN to BSN students start classes today. Congratulations on embarking on your healthcare career journey.…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
The Vital Role of Phlebotomy in Medicine
Phlebotomy, or taking blood specimens, has been a part of medical care for centuries. Because drawing and handling blood samples are very crucial and strictly…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Veterans Benefits – Thank you for your service!
Sumner College | VETERANS BENEFITS Thank you for your service to our country. We are honored to help you continue your education and provide the…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Happy 4th of July – Enjoy your day
Sumner College Campus is closed today, to celebrate the 4th of July.…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn