For those who want to work directly with patients within the healthcare industry, a career as a nurse can be a great job choice. Positions in the medical field are showing steady growth with nurses accounting for a large number of those employed. Registered nurses can choose to specialize in a number of areas within the healthcare industry, making their job outlook even stronger. In this article, we explain the projected outlook for nursing, provide information about the average salary of a nurse and give detailed steps on how to become a registered nurse.
What is the nursing job outlook?
Registered nurses are in high demand, making nursing one of the most popular and rewarding careers available today. The job outlook for registered nurses is bright, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting employment in the field to grow 15% from 2019 to 2029. This growth will create more than 370,000 new jobs for registered nurses during this time period.
The demand for registered nurses is largely driven by the aging population and the need for healthcare services. The growing prevalence of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and obesity, is also contributing to the need for more registered nurses. Additionally, technological advances in healthcare are leading to an increased demand for nurses with specialized skills in areas like telehealth and informatics.
The BLS estimates that the median annual wage for registered nurses as of May 2019 was $73,300, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $113,240. Registered nurses can also find career advancement opportunities in areas such as management, education, and research.
The educational requirements for registered nurses vary by state, but most require at least a two-year associate’s degree in nursing from an accredited program. Some states may also require registered nurses to take continuing education courses in order to maintain their licenses. Additionally, many employers prefer nurses who have obtained a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Registered nurses can find employment in a variety of settings, including hospitals, physician’s offices, nursing homes, and home health agencies. According to the BLS, the industries with the highest levels of employment for registered nurses in 2019 were hospitals (64 percent); home health care services (15 percent); and physician’s offices (9 percent).
Overall, the job outlook for registered nurses is very positive. With a growing need for healthcare services, nurses can look forward to good job prospects and a competitive salary. Those interested in a career in nursing should consider pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing in order to stay competitive in the job market.
