Data from surveys directed to hospitals across the country has consistently pointed to a shortage of registered nurses. The demand in the nursing workforce is expected to grow by 19 percent over the next seven years, bringing the tally to a little over a million nursing jobs that need to be filled, mostly to meet the demands of an aging population. Some states already have seen the results of this high demand. There are more than 5,000 vacant nursing jobs in Texas, for instance, and that number is expected to grow.
Supply and demand
The basic economic principle of supply and demand also helps explain real-world results, explaining why nurses have strong job prospects today and into the future. The enormous segment of the U.S. population known as baby boomers is now entering retirement age, stressing the healthcare system due to the limited supply in the workforce. With not enough registered nurses to support hospitals and clinics, the demand for more RNs and the number of nursing jobs in Texas and other states has gone up.
Prospects and options
A profession that is in high demand generally enjoys job security, a good salary and flexible work hours. Texas’ nursing shortage, in particular, creates many opportunities for prospective nursing students looking to enter an accelerated RN program, where they can earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and take advantage of the growing number of nursing jobs in Texas.
The nursing profession itself has many career options. One can be a nurse in oncology, in the emergency room or in pediatrics. Texas is one of the biggest employers of nurses in the country, employing more than 260,000 nurses across the state. The average salary for a nurse in Texas is $67,000 a year. For nurses looking to make more, there are many routes for specialization through master’s degree programs.
With more than 5,000 vacant nursing jobs in Texas with continued growth expected over the coming years, prospective students in an accelerated RN program are well positioned to enter the healthcare workforce.
Learn about the UT Arlington online BSN program.
Sources:
https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/chs/cnws/Hospital-Survey-Reports/
http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/fact-sheets/nursing-shortage
http://www.bls.gov/oes/2011/may/oes291111.htm
http://www.payscale.com/research/US/State=Texas/Salary
http://www.aacn.nche.edu/government-affairs/resources/Texas1.pdf
