Nursing is the backbone of the healthcare industry. With employers offering many perks to attract new nurses, there may never be a better time to get a nursing degree.
Nursing: The Largest Healthcare Career Already 2.4 million workers strong, America's nursing workforce can expect rapid growth over the next ten years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS expects employment in nursing to grow by 23% during the next decade.
The Perks: RN Stands for Register Now! Besides the satisfaction of providing individualized patient care in a booming industry, nursing offers competitive salaries. According to the BLS, as of 2006, registered nurses earned a median annual income of $57,000. Additionally, because employers are facing difficulties finding registered nurses, many are offering perks:
Signing bonuses
Family-friendly work schedules
Subsidized continuing education
With so many opportunities available, now is the perfect time to pursue a nursing degree through either campus-based or online degree programs.
Paths to Nursing: Nursing Schools and Online Degree Programs Plenty of accredited nursing degrees are available through both campus-based and online degree programs. Nursing degree programs typically include coursework in the biological sciences, healthcare, and a hands-on practice component. There are 846 accredited nursing programs offering Associate Degrees in Nursing, as well as 674 accredited programs offering Bachelor's of Science in Nursing.
The numbers speak for themselves. Whether you choose a campus-based or online nursing degree program, there has never been a greater need--or better timing--for you to go to nursing school.
