Galen College of Nursing

Nurses are the largest workforce in the clinical healthcare industry, and it’s growing.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 19 percent job growth for registered nurses between 2012 and 2022, which is faster than average. For licensed practical nurses the projected growth for the same time period is even faster, at 25 percent.

Despite increases in hiring and opportunity, the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) estimates that by 2025, there will be a shortage of nurses, caused by baby-boomer RNs retirement over the next decade and an aging population. The estimated shortfall of 260,000 nurses by 2025  is double what occurred during the introduction of Medicare and Medicaid in the mid-1960s.

Not only is a nursing career emotionally fulfilling and rewarding, there are tangible benefits, too.  Opportunities with nursing being the fastest-growing occupation in the US; options with over 100 specialties from which to choose and a number of advanced nursing degrees; and flexibility with various combinations of work schedules depending on the location and specialty you choose.

Also, nursing is a respected career field, with a high level of esteem. According to a Gallup Poll, more than 80% of Americans rated nurses as having “high” or “very high” honesty and ethical standards. Nurses have topped their list every year since 1999, except for 2001 when firefighters were rated higher after their prominent role in 9/11 rescue efforts.

Learn more, and see why a career in nursing might be right for you: Why Become a Nurse.

As a nurse, you will continue to learn and grow every day, not only as a healthcare professional, but as a compassionate human being, affecting the lives of everyone you touch. Nurses have the satisfaction of providing their patients with the highest quality of care, helping to increase their comfort and speed their recovery.

Nurses are also needed nationwide, so graduates are likely to have an opportunity to work in many locations across the country. And because hospitals and other medical facilities are looking for nurses, salaries are likely to be competitive – especially for nurses in advanced practice.