Nursing Shortage = Career opportunities
Your goal – and your dream – is to be a nurse. But you also need to ask practical questions: Is nursing a solid career path? Can I count on job opportunities and a good future?
The answer: Yes.
Nursing care is needed now more than ever as the U.S. is on the verge of running out of nurses. Earning an RN to BSN degree online at PennWest California or pursuing an MSN degree focusing on nursing leadership skills will open doors to a satisfying career and many job opportunities.
Are Nurses in High Demand?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2022 there will be more than 1 million jobs open for registered nurses. This is the result of a major nursing shortage. A recent article in The Atlantic magazine reports that by 2025, the shortfall is expected to be more than twice as large as any nurse shortage experienced since the introduction of Medicare and Medicaid in the mid-1960s, according to researchers at Vanderbilt University.
The BLS also reports that healthcare accounts for one out of every five new jobs created since 2012. Registered nurse (RN) is a fast-growing occupation with an increase of 16% projected through 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.
The growth is happening for a number of reasons, beginning with the need to replace registered nurses who are retiring in the coming years. The Health Resources and Services Administration projects that more than 1 million registered nurses will reach retirement age within the next 10 to 15 years. Nursing schools are at the forefront of trying to train and develop nurses for this expanding career field.
What is the Future Outlook for Nursing?
Most significantly, our aging American population in the baby-boom generation is escalating the demand for healthcare services – and healthcare providers, including registered nurses. The U.S Census Bureau’s report, An Aging Nation: The Older Population in the United States, found that by 2050, the number of U.S. residents age 65 and older is projected to be 83.7 million, almost double the estimated population of 43.1 million in 2012.
Older Americans typically have more medical problems than younger people. Nurses will be needed to educate and care for patients with various chronic conditions, such as arthritis, dementia, diabetes and obesity.
More nurses also will be needed in staffing a range of healthcare settings and facilities. With patients being discharged sooner from hospitals due to insurance and financial concerns, more people are being admitted to long-term care facilities and outpatient care centers. There’s also a greater need for nurses to provide healthcare at home or in residential care facilities. Job growth for nurses is expected in facilities that provide long-term rehabilitation for stroke and head injury patients, and in facilities that treat people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Nurses also are vital in outpatient care centers, which provide same-day chemotherapy, rehabilitation and surgery, and they are needed to manage procedures being performed in ambulatory care settings and physicians’ offices.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing also reports faculty shortages at nursing schools nationwide. With the increasing demand for patient care, there will be an even greater need for trained instructors to educate registered nurses in on-campus and online RN to BSN programs, and in graduate programs that help students move into nursing leadership with an MSN degree.
What States Have a Nursing Shortage?
Pennsylvania is in desperate need of qualified nurses now and into the future. Reports estimate that a 30% shortage in nurses is going occur in the state in the next three years.
In order to combat this issue, hospitals throughout Pennsylvania are adding incentives to becoming a nurse, including adding flexible scheduling, tuition reimbursement programs and much more.
States that are predicted to have future nursing shortages include:
- California
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Florida
- Texas
- Ohio
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- Massachusettes
Job Prospects
Skills taught to qualified applicants in PennWest California's RN to BSN online programs and MSN degrees are in demand throughout Pennsylvania and across the country.
The BLS reports that generally, registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN) will have better job prospects than those without one. Employers also may prefer candidates who have some related work experience or certification in a specialty area, such as gerontology.
The RN to BSN program at PennWest California enables experienced registered nurses to:
- Build on professional strengths to become outstanding nurse leaders.
- Develop a foundation for advanced nursing education and career growth.
PennWest California's RN to BSN degree program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The RN to BSN is a 100% online degree program that can be completed full time in three terms and part time in four terms.
More PennWest California degree benefits for our online RN to BSN program include:
- Opportunities for research in such courses as Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice.
- Focus on the latest trends and issues in nursing and specialized areas such as family and community health for nursing students.
- Competitive tuition rates and fees, and availability of financial aid.
- PennWest California partnerships with Community College of Allegheny County and Washington Health System School of Nursing to accelerate program completion.
With PennWest California's online RN to BSN degree program, you’ll be prepared to advance with your current employer or move on to a wide range of professional nursing roles in diverse healthcare environments. Here is a sampling of area employers who hire PennWest California BSN graduates:
- Allegheny Health Network.
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
- Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.
- Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC.
- Pennsylvania Department of Health.
- Pennsylvania school districts.
Build a stronger future by earning your online RN to BSN degree at PennWest California. Apply now!
Top 10 Reasons yo Get a BSN Degree
Build on your RN credential
Take your nursing knowledge and skills to the next level by completing the 100% online RN to BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)degree program at PennWest California: Be ready for career advancement.
Accredited Online RN to BSN Program
Invest in your Furture
Earning a BSN means you’ll be ready to accelerate your career: Gain better earnings, new job opportunities, promotions, preparation for graduate school and more.
Top 10 Reasons to Get an MSN Degree
Value-added Education
PennWest California's online MSN degree program in nursing administration and leadership gives nurse professionals many more opportunities to move into vital healthcare positions.
Move into Nursing Leadership with an MSN Degree
Learn Anywhere, Anytime
The online MSN program at PennWest California prepares graduates to be both expert nurse administrators and visionary leaders who can make a difference in today's healthcare environment.
