Now, more than ever, we need quality healthcare. With the rise of chronic illnesses like heart disease, addiction, and diabetes, not to mention the COVID-19 global pandemic, Registered Nurses (RNs) can expect more consistent job security than ever before. If you are considering becoming a Registered Nurse, you can rest assured you are getting into an increasingly in-demand career, with an unwavering job outlook.
Nationwide Nursing Job Outlook
According to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the nursing job outlook is very promising, with hundreds of thousands of jobs becoming available across the country. In fact, the BLS is projecting about 194,500 job openings for RNs each year, on average, between 2020 and 2030. Nationwide, employment of Registered Nurses is expected to grow 9 percent in this next decade, which will equate to an addition of 276,800 new nursing jobs. This nursing job outlook does not account for RNs who are self-employed or business owners.
Connecticut Nursing Job Outlook
If you are looking to become a nurse in Connecticut specifically, you can also look forward to a stable career (and income) with room for growth over the years. The Connecticut Department of Labor ranks Registered Nurses among the top occupations with the most job openings today. By 2028, they predict that nearly 3,000 positions will become available to aspiring RNs in the state of Connecticut.
The Demand for Registered Nurses
There is – and will always be – a constant need for healthcare services. In turn, there will always be a need for Registered Nurses and other nursing professionals. Still you may be wondering, why is the nursing field expected to grow so much in the coming years?
One driving factor of the nursing job outlook is the current talent shortage in the healthcare field. Currently, a large portion of Registered Nurses today are over the age of 50 – part of the large baby boomer population. These nurses are reaching retirement age, and therefore requiring newly trained RNs to come take their place. In fact, the Health Resources and Services Administration predicts that more than one million RNs will retire from the workforce by 2030.
Another contributor to the rising nursing job outlook is a growing number of patients needing quality care. The baby boomer generation, currently between 57 and 75 years old, is aging. The U.S. Census Bureau predicts that the by 2030, the number of Americans age 65 and over will be about 82 million. As we know, older people often have more medical needs, including a higher risk of injury, illness, and chronic conditions such as arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease. So, with the rise of geriatric patients, naturally will come a rise in the need for geriatric nurses. These individuals will need care in a range of settings, too, such as:
- Hospitals
- Retirement communities
- Assisted-living facilities
- Nursing homes
The nursing job outlook is also expected to grow in other healthcare settings where patients do not stay overnight, such as urgent care facilities, emergency rooms, and physicians’ offices. These patients need same-day care and procedures such as chemotherapy, rehabilitation, and some surgeries. Nurses will also be needed in rehabilitation and longer-term care settings, to educate and care for patients with chronic conditions.
Aspiring RNs should keep in mind that healthcare, as a field, is evolving, particularly with the rise of COVID-19. New treatments, research, scientific breakthroughs, and technologies are being discovered every day. As the industry rapidly progresses, it will require more educated nursing professionals to step up to the plate. Skilled Registered Nurses – along with Nurse Practitioners, Research Nurses, Public Health Nurses, and the – will be needed to operate advanced medical equipment, study new conditions and treatments, evaluate complex symptoms in patients, oversee advancements in patient care, and more.
Registered Nurses typically provide and coordinate patient care. Most nursing positions today require an RN license at a minimum. Within the field of nursing, prospective nursing students can pursue a range of other titles – such as Critical Care Nurse, Public Health Nurse, or Neonatal Nurse, just to name a few – all of which can expect growth. Below are some of the growth projections for various nurses at the national level:
- Registered Nurse Job Outlook: 9% growth between 2020-2030
- Licensed Practical Nurse Job Outlook: 9% growth between 2020-2030
- Nurse Practitioner Job Outlook: 52% growth between 2020-2030
- Nurse Midwife Job Outlook: 11% growth between 2020-2030
- Nurse Manager and Administrator Job Outlook: 32% growth between 2020-2030
- Community Health Worker Job Outlook: 17% between 2020-2030
Healthcare is one of the fastest growing industries and highest employment sectors of the United States economy. The best news, for you, is that the wide array of nursing careers is growing right alongside the healthcare industry. With such a strong nursing job outlook expected in the coming years, now is the perfect time to work towards a nursing career.
The first steps to becoming a Registered Nurse today are to:
- Earn your nursing degree from an accredited nursing school, and
- Achieve national certification to become licensed to practice, through the board exam
Some aspiring RNs will opt for an associate degree in nursing as a starting point, but most employers today – around 80% – are looking to hire nurses with a Bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN) degree. No matter which path you take in your nursing program, you will be well-suited to find success in a growing and in-demand field.
Are you ready to launch your career in the growing field of nursing? Goodwin University has a flexible program to help you pursue your dreams. Learn more about the various nursing programs at Goodwin by calling 800-889-3282, or by visiting us online to request more information.
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.