Understanding the Nursing Shortage
Journalists, public health departments, medical schools and nursing organizations are all talking about the nursing shortage, and for good reason: it affects every one of us. While it's good news for students who want to pursue a degree in nursing -- they've got lots of job options and competitive salaries coming their way -- it's bad news for the elderly, baby boomers, health care facilities, doctors, and other patients wanting personalized care. When registered nurses are stretched too thin, everyone from patients to doctors to administrators to the general -- even healthy -- public are affected.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, RNs "constitute the largest single healthcare profession in the United States." And while nursing shortages have occurred throughout the 20th century in this country, our current predicament is a little more severe. As baby boomers -- the largest generation right now -- age, they'll require more health care and more long-term medical attention. From home health care to more frequent check-ups and more serious ailments, the baby boomer population is putting quite a strain on the nursing shortage. Baby boomers are also retiring at an increasingly rapid rate, leaving open positions they once held in health care.But besides the baby boomers, tight budgets and a suffering economy also play a role in the nursing shortage.
As governments and other financiers have to trim their budgets, hospitals and other medical facilities are losing funding dramatically. Since nurses make up the largest group in the health care industry, they take up a large part of the budget. ABC reports that spending money on nurses can save money in the long-term, but it may be hard for facilities to scrape together the cash right now. Nursing schools are having an extremely difficult time dealing with the nursing shortage, too. While they are trying to recruit new nursing students in order to ease the shortage, their budgets have been slashed as well, and they are experiencing a faculty shortage that makes it impossible for them to keep up with the ideal enrollment.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for registered nurses is very positive. Jobs are expected to grow 22% from 2008-2018, in physicians' offices, home health care systems, nursing care facilities, employment services and both public and private hospitals. More jobs are expected to be available in nursing homes and long-term facilities, rather than in hospitals, which are forced to discharge patients early.
In the meantime, the stress put on existing RNs is mounting, and some feel that the shortage is only going to get worse until the economy balances out and funding returns to nursing schools.
Top Online Nursing Programs
 |
University of Phoenix - RN to BSN. 27 Nursing Degrees. Students interested in reaching their career goals in the healthcare industry as a nurse will reach them at the University of Phoenix. University of Phoenix allows working adults the convenience of taking classes when they can.
 |
 |
South University - A.S. in Allied Health Science. As an accredited online college, South University offers a respectable Associate’s Degree in Allied Health Science for those seeking to pursue a career in healthcare. The program is offered completely online, allowing students to learn in their own time without sacrificing their current responsibilities.
|
 |
LA College - A.A. in Health Care Administration. With a handful of online health programs, LA College is a great choice for students seeking entry-level positions in the healthcare industry. Their Associate’s degree in Health Care Administration will provide students with the basis for a multitude of job opportunities in hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics, and many others.
|
 |
Post University - BS in Mgmt. For Registered Nurses. Post University is dedicated in helping students achieve their personal and professional goals in a timely manner, allowing them to pursue their careers in healthcare more quickly. The Bachelor of Science in Management for Registered Nurses degree will prepare nurses to obtain administrative and management roles that require critical-thinking, decision-making, and leadership skills.
|
 |
Herzing University - BSN-Bridge Program. With nursing constituting as the largest healthcare occupation today, Herzing University has created quality nursing programs to fulfill the increasing demand in the industry. At Herzing, students receive hands-on training in order to help them enter the workforce with confidence.
|
 |
The College Network - 10 universities offering Nursing Degrees. The College Network is one of the nation's top providers in providing high quality nursing degrees online. Students have the opportunity to pursue a variety of HealthCare degrees that that will allow them to further their career in Nursing.
|
 |
Jones International University - B.A. in Health Care Mgmt. Jones International University offers a Bachelor’s program in Health Care Management that will help students become skilled and effective managers in the healthcare industry. Students could work in a variety of different settings upon completion of the program.
|
 |
Virginia College - BS in Health Services Management. Virginia College is dedicated in helping students achieve their goals and aspirations to advance in the health care industry. Their Bachelor’s degree in Health Services Management will prepare students for a variety of career options in assistant management or administrative positions within a healthcare facility.
|
 |
Western Governors University - B.S. in Nursing. Western Governors University is an accredited online university offering a variety of nursing and healthcare programs for students of all ages. Their Nursing program will incorporate patient education, health promotion, nursing roles, technology, and many other health related subjects.
|
 |
Baker College - B.S. in Nursing. Baker College allows students to complete their Nursing degree completely online, at their own pace and time. Their program provides current registered nurses with the opportunity to advance and continue their growth.
|
 |
Keiser University - B.A. in Health Services Administration. With several degree options in the healthcare field, Keiser University prepares students for a variety of positions in any healthcare setting. Their mission is to help students develop skills and knowledge that will prepare them for leadership positions upon graduation.
|
 |
Indiana State University - LPN to BSN. Students looking to jump start a career will find accredited an accredited RN to BSN nursing degree from the Indiana State University. Indiana State University was originally founded in 1865 and over this time has prepared thousands of students for new, exciting careers.
|
