According to the American Hospital Association, 126,000 nurses are currently needed to fill vacancies at America's hospitals. That number is expected to rise to 400,000 by 2020. Sources: aha.org; Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. August 2002
Demand for qualified nurses is stronger than ever, due to an acute nursing shortage in our country's hospitals and health care facilities. The current nursing shortage we are experiencing has resulted in strong demand - a demand for qualified registered nurses with no end in sight.
Walden University Online
Degrees: MSN
Walden University offers its Master of Science in Nursing program online and with two areas of specialization - Leadership and Management and Education. Learn more.
University of Phoenix
Degrees: RN-to-BSN, RN-to-MSN
University of Phoenix's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (RN-to-MSN) online degree programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. Learn more.
Jacksonville University Online
Degrees: RN-to-BSN
Jacksonville University's School of Nursing offers one of the top online RN-to-BSN programs in the nation. Learn more.
Aging RN Workforce:
With fewer nurses entering the profession, the average age of the RN is climbing. The average age of nurses is currently 45.2, and according to a recent Government Accounting Office report, 40% of all RN's will be older than 50 by the year 2010. There aren't enough new nurses to replace the experienced nurses who are retiring or approaching retirement age. Source: gao.gov.
Declines in nursing school enrollment:
Schools of nursing are reporting a decline in enrollment and graduations. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, enrollments in all programs are down 17%, or 21,126 students from 1995.
Source: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/.
In addition, a shortage of nursing school faculty is restricting nursing education program enrollments. RN's are being lured away from teaching roles in nursing colleges and universities in favor of higher salaries in hospitals.
The current nursing shortage translates into an unprecedented demand for qualified registered nurses, especially those with advanced degrees. There are opportunities for senior level registered nurses in research, consulting, training, and management. Advanced career options include: nurse practitioner, nursing school faculty and clinical nurse specialist.
The demand is also spurring better working conditions for registered nurses, along with higher compensation and more benefits. More and more institutions are attracting nursing talent with benefits like tuition reimbursement for nursing continuing education credits and for advanced degrees.
Invest in your future in registered nursing - check our featured schools for accelerated nursing programs leading to RN-to-MSN or RN-to-BSN online degrees. Help put an end to the nursing shortage — train yourself so that you can help train or manage the nurses of the future.
Walden University
Degrees: MSN
Walden University offers its Master of Science in Nursing program online and with two areas of specialization - Leadership and Management and Education. Learn more.
University of Phoenix
Degrees: RN-to-BSN, RN-to-MSN
University of Phoenix's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (RN-to-MSN) online degree programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. Learn more.
Jacksonville University Online
Degrees: RN-to-BSN
Jacksonville University's School of Nursing offers one of the top online RN-to-BSN programs in the nation. Learn more.