| ng is the nation’s top health care profession. | | | | management. |
| There are 2.7 million registered nurses in the United | | | | Nursing also offers the opportunity for specialization in |
| States, over 4 times the number of physicians. | | | | such fields as cardiac care, pediatrics, and geriatrics. In |
| Employment outlook for nurses continues to be | | | | addition, nurses can go on to become certified |
| favorable though 2012 thanks to the aging baby | | | | midwives, nurse anesthetists, and other advanced |
| boomer population. | | | | specialties. |
| If you are thinking of a career in nursing, here are | | | | Registered nurses are required to receive a four year |
| some facts for you to consider: | | | | BS degree, a two year AS degree, or a 3 year |
| Employment for registered nurses is forecast to grow | | | | hospital sponsored diploma program. In order to |
| faster than any other occupation through 2012 | | | | become eligible for employment, nurses are required to |
| according to the United States Bureau of Labor | | | | complete a state licensing exam. |
| Statistics. | | | | Registered nurses are in high demand and nursing is a |
| Nursing students make up over half of all healthcare | | | | profession to be proud of as you are helping people |
| students combined. | | | | improve the quality of life. Pay for registered nurses |
| Most healthcare involves some form of interaction by | | | | varies according to location and specialty but is |
| nurses. Approximately 60% of nurses are employed in | | | | considered to be above average. |
| hospitals, others work in a wide varity of settings such | | | | If you are interested in a nursing career, meet with the |
| as private physician practices, public health clinics, | | | | entrance officer at you local college for more |
| home health care, surgical centers, HMOs, nursing | | | | information. You might also consider volunteering at a |
| homes, mental health centers, hospices, the military, the | | | | hospital or working as a certified nursing assistant to |
| legal profession, and industry. Others have careers as | | | | get more exposure to the profession. |
| university educators or private practices. | | | | While many of the classes nurses are required to take |
| The role of the nurse can range from direct patient | | | | are directly nursing related, ancillary classes such as |
| care to case management, overseeing quality | | | | chemistry, physics, and anatomy and physiology are |
| assurance procedures, and legal or insurance | | | | also required. |