So Why Become a Nurse?
The need - why nursing?
As the United States becomes more diverse, populated and
older, the
need for quality nursing care continues to escalate.
The Department of Labor (DOL) states that the nursing
profession
will be:
• The largest health care occupation, with more than 2 million jobs.
• One of the 10 occupations projected to have the largest numbers of
new jobs.• Job opportunities are expected to be very good.
• Earnings are above average, particularly for advanced practice nurses, who have additional education or training.
• The job outlook is considered by DOL as ""faster than average" with an increase of36 per cent or more openings in this profession.
• Thousands of job openings also will result from the need to replace experienced nurses who leave the occupation, especially as the median age of the registered nurse population continues to rise.
• Salary range for a nurse in 2000 was from $31,890.00 to $64,360.00 with a median average of $44,840.00. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of registered nurses in 2000 were as follows:
Personnel supply services $46,860.00
Hospitals $45,780 .00
Home Health Care $43,640.00
Offices/Clinic of Medical Drs. $43.480.00
Nursing and personal care facilities $41,330.00Many employers offer flexible work schedules, childcare, educational benefits, and bonuses.
The Journal of American Medical Association is predicting that there will be a shortage of nurses in the years ahead. By 2005 a shortage of 125,000 nurses; by 2010 a shortage of 213,500; by 2015 a shortage of 381,250; by 2020 a shortage of 434,000.
For more information contact:
Robbie Paul, PhD
Director Native American Health Sciences
WSU Spokane
Academic Center 141 B
P.O. Box 1495
Spokane, WA 99210-1495
Phone: (509) 368-6884
FAX : (509) 358-7538
Email: paul@wsu.edu