By Kathy Quan RN BSN PHN
©2007 All Rights Reserved

While job prospects in many areas (primarily goods production) are diminishing, healthcare (a service oriented focus) is growing rapidly all around the world. With the nursing shortage predicted to get worse over the next decade, jobs for nurses are abundant throughout the world and are predicted to be for many years to come. Job growth for RNs is expected to be the fastest for any profession in the U.S. for the next decade.

Unfortunately, along with the shortage of practicing nurses comes a "Catch 22" shortage of nursing educators. Many schools pay poorly and/or only hire part-time faculty to whom they don’t offer benefits. This does not make being a nurse educator an attractive profession. Nurses can make more money and better benefits being nurses. Therefore, nursing programs are impacted and difficult to get into, and many have waiting lists of one to two years or more. The wait is worth it. Wages will continue to increase, and experienced nurses will be in high demand for years to come. But this slow process compounds the shortage instead of alleviating it.

You may want to begin your career as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) or aide. This requires a short course of study, usually one semester, and is available from your local adult education department or community college. Vocational schools also offer CNA programs. In some instances, it may give you an advantage in getting into a nursing program. In fact many nursing programs are beginning to require a CNA or other health field experience as a prerequisite to entrance into nursing programs. Being a CNA can also provide you with a source of employment while you pursue your nursing career, as well as direct insight into the world of nursing. To find out more, read: How do I become a CNA?