Registered nurses make up the largest group in the U.S. workforce, and nursing is the fastest growing career industry in the country. So with as many nurses and nursing students as there are, what will the future hold for this versatile, ever-expanding career?
Never Enough
3.1 million
The number of registered nurses nationwide (1)
There are four times as many nurses in the U.S. as there are physicians. (1)
581,500
The number of new RN jobs created through 2018 (1)
36%
The rise in demand for RNs in hospitals by 2020(1)
The Future of Nursing Education and Training
Nursing programs have changed dramatically over the past few decades. Education for nurses has become more complex and focused, and the two-year RN program is now almost obsolete.
Nursing Education in the Late 20th Century (2)
Hospital-based nursing diplomas
Of the still-licensed RNs in the country, 20% hold this degree. It is not a two- or four-year degree, but on-site training education. It is expected that this method of training nurses will be phased out over the next 10 years.
Associate degree in nursing
Earned by 45% of current nurses, this is a two- to three-year program typically given at a community college. Many nurses who earn this degree are now encouraged to return to attain their bachelor’s, as an associate degree may not be enough in the future to land nursing jobs.
Nursing Education of the Future (2)
Bachelor’s degree in nursing
By 2020, it is the hope of many in the healthcare profession that a B.S. in nursing will be held by at least 80% of all nurses.
Master’s degree
Only 13.2% of nurses currently hold a master’s degree or higher in nursing. In the future, more nurses may choose to continue their education with a master’s in order to focus and specialize their careers.
Doctoral degree
Many Ph.D. programs in nursing are fairly new. But many believe that in order to advance nursing as a career, more doctoral nurses are needed to work in private practices and to engage in academic research.
Increasing Income
Experience and specialties factor in heavily to what a nurse is paid. But here are some current annual median salaries.(3)
Licensed practical/vocational nurses: $41,540/year
Registered nurses: $65,470/year
Nurse practitioners: $89,960/year
Clinical nurse specialist: $94,487/year
Certified nurse anesthetist: $148,160/year
If the current trends continue, then nursing salaries have nowhere to go but up.
9.2%
The increase in RN wages between 2005 and 2008 (4)
The average salary for nurses grew 5.3% from 2008-2009 alone. (4)
Give Them What They Want: A Future of Full Partnerships
Many nurses who work to achieve higher education hope for a time when nurses work in full partnership with physicians. In order to attain this, there is an extensive list of needs for nurses that the healthcare industry should consider for the future. (5)
- All nurses should be able to practice to the extent of their knowledge and training.
- An improved and more hands-on education and training system should be made available to all practicing nurses to encourage lifelong learning.
- Physicians and other healthcare professionals should consider nurses full partners not only in practice, but also in the revamping of healthcare in the U.S. overall.
- Better data collection and a better information infrastructure should be the goal of not only working nurses, but also healthcare policymakers.
- More and better residency programs for nursing students should be implemented.
Why We’ll Always Need More Nurses
There is a reason that nursing is not only the biggest industry, but also the fastest growing. The need for nurses doesn’t show any signs of stopping; and that’s because it probably never will. (6, 7)
People are living longer. Greater life expectancies and advances in modern medicine mean that people will need care longer. By 2020, it is estimated that more than 20% of the population will be 65 and older.
Globalization. With the linking of healthcare for individuals around the world and the option to travel to different countries to work, the demand will eventually outweigh the supply of nurses.
Specialist care. More and more nurses are migrating from the hospitals to other facets of healthcare, like complementary care, specialist care, physical therapy, long-term care and hospice care.
Outpatient care. Hospitals are being pressured more and more each day to release patients earlier. As such, more nurses are needed for outpatient care centers to give recovering patients the time and attention they need to continue to heal.
Home care services. Hospital jobs are expected to grow 17% by 2018. But home healthcare jobs are expected to grow by 33%.