​​Nursing Career Opportunities

The Nursing Profession

By the year 2020, it is predicted the United States will have more than 1.2 million job openings for registered nurses, with the need for nurses growing by 712,000 nurses or 26 percent.  Making up part of this 1.2 million number is a need for 495,500 replacements for currently employed nurses.

The profession of nursing is the largest occupation in the healthcare sector and also represents twelve percent of all American workers.  The majority of nurses (60 percent) are employed in hospitals but it is anticipated that this will change with healthcare reform.  There is an anticipated increase in the need for nurses in the community setting, and in long-term care and outpatient settings.  Employment for nurses is expected to grow by 22 percent by 2018 and this represents a faster than average growth rate when compared with other professions.[1] Some reasons for that growth include increased technology, more emphasis on preventative healthcare, and an increase in the aging population.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2010, the median national salary for a registered nurse was $64,690 ($31.10 per hour).  In Ohio, the average annual wage is $59,738.[2]   Salaries vary depending on several factors:  work setting, experience, geographic location, and degrees obtained.  The occupation of nursing in Ohio is considered one of the "Buckeye Top Fifty" employment opportunities for the years 2008-2018.[3]

As a nurse you will have opportunities to pursue a career in any number of settings and specialties. These include:

• Hospitals

• Physician Offices

• Skilled Nursing Facilities

• Home Health

• Public Health

• Administration

• Education

• ​Research

[1] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 edition; http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin.  Accessed February 11, 2012.