Careers in Nursing Nurses Are in High Demand

INSIGHTS EDUCATION

Careers in nursing Nurses are in high demand. Here’s how to become one.

INTERVIEWED BY ADAM BURROUGHS

here is a very high demand for registered nurses (RN), both in VIVIAN YATES, Ph.D. Dean, Division of Nursing Education Northeast Ohio and nationally. T Cuyahoga Community College “Nurses comprise the largest segment of the heath care workforce and there [email protected] WEBSITE: Learn more about Tri-C’s nursing program is a shortage of qualified nurses to meet (216) 987-4067 by visiting www.tri-c.edu/programs/nursing. increasing demands in the region and across the country,” says Vivian Yates, Ph.D., dean Insights Education is brought to you by Cuyahoga Community College of the Division of Nursing Education at Cuyahoga Community College. She says the Cleveland Hospital Demand for nurses is coming from across the most common route. Today the most Association has projected that by 2020, the health care industry. Traditionally, popular options for nursing education there will a shortage of 3,500 nurses in most nurses were employed in hospitals. are to earn an associate degree through 23 Northeast Ohio counties. Just in the But now that more of the older population a community or technical college, which Cleveland area there is a shortage of 750 desires to live in their homes longer, there prepares nurses for a defined technical nurses. And nationally, it’s estimated that is an increased need for nurses in home scope of practice, or a bachelor of science there will be 32,000 open positions for care, community care, long-term care and degree in nursing through a four-year nurses by 2020. ambulatory care. Additionally, changes in college or university. The bachelor’s degree Smart Business spoke with Yates about the health care policy are affecting how and prepares graduates to engage in a broad nursing profession and what those interested where nurses are utilized. scope of practice across all health care in this career field must do to get their start. settings. What skills do health care organizations Those who want to specialize in a specific Why are there so many job openings looking for from newly graduated RNs? area of health care will need a graduate projected in the nursing field? Nurses should be able to perform degree in nursing — either a master’s, There are a lot of reasons for the nursing health histories and health assessments, Ph.D., or Doctor of Nursing Practice. shortage. Among them is that baby boomers, interpret patient information and make as they age and their life expectancy decisions about needed actions, counsel What should someone considering a career increases, are entering the health care system and educate patients, provide health as an RN understand about the profession? in larger numbers. More nurses will be promotion information, perform health Candidates must be comfortable in a health needed to take care of that population. care interventions and coordinate patient care environment. These settings can be In the nursing industry, there is a care in collaboration with other health demanding, so it’s important for them to high number of retirements occurring. care professionals. Additionally, health care have an understanding of the expectations Nationally, half of all working nurses are organizations are looking for nurses with of the nursing profession. over the age of 50, so it’s anticipated that good decision-making and critical-thinking Additionally, nursing candidates should there will continue to be a large number of skills. They must be able to assess a situation sharpen their math and science skills, which job vacancies to fill. and make critical decisions on the spot. are the foundation of nursing education. Also there are now a wealth of alternative Some may need to take additional classes to career opportunities for women that have What would put someone in the best be sure those skills adequate. opened up in the past two to three decades. position to succeed as an RN long term? Nursing is an exciting career with diverse In the past, nursing and teaching were the Nursing school is the place to start for those opportunities and great earning potential primary career options for women. Now who want to become an RN. for both men and women. Nursing provides they have many more opportunities to excel In the past, a diploma in nursing through an opportunity to make a direct impact on in other fields. hospital-based schools of nursing was the lives of others. ●