Growth in the Healthcare Industry Providing Nurses More Options

Growth in the Healthcare Industry Providing Nurses More Options The new year has dawned and you are looking ahead to the future. What does your career in healthcare hold? What room is there for advancement or change? Let’s take a look at nursing and career options.As early as 2012, a nurse shortage was predicted. About 1 million new nurse positions will be open by 2020. There are currently more than 3 million registered nurses employed nationwide, and while the number is growing, it won’t be enough to meet future needs. The Baby Boomer generation is aging and retiring, and 700,000 nurses are expected to retire by 2024.evalAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurses in 2012 made about $65,400 on average. All of this means there will be a great demand for nurses in the next few years.This is not limited to registered nurses.There will be almost 600,000 nursing assistant openings, and more than 360,000 combined openings for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses by 2020. But what of advanced nursing careers for those already i n the industry?1. The Autonomous NurseevalThe nurse practitioner is the first upgrade, an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse position, with a median salary of just over $100,000. This means not only a higher salary, but more responsibility. While state regulations vary, running and analyzing diagnostic tests, performing physical examinations, providing disease prevention information, and prescribing medication are some of the duties that a nurse practitioner may be asked to perform.Because of the wide array of duties assigned to nurse practitioners, they often have more autonomy than a typical registered nurse while still usually part of a healthcare team. In 22 states With growth projected at 31 percent by 2022, becoming a CNM Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists 5. Be the bossThe last option benefits from hands-on experience with patients, but removes you from actual patient interaction. Directly responsible for setting policies in hospitals, healthcare administrators also over see health systems, pharmaceutical companies, nursing homes, and more in both the public and private sectors.They work everywhere from private practices to the federal government, shaping policies. They manage facilities, services, and programs while overseeing staff and developing budgets. They are in charge of handling relations with other organizations.It is by no means an easy job, as healthcare administrators are regularly faced with ethical dilemmas, from balancing a budget while factoring in quality of care, to mitigating legal risks for their organization and more.The job hinges on professionalism and leadership skills. Hands-on experience, such as being an RN, is highly advantageous for setting policies. While a large responsibility, the position can have a positive impact on both staff and patients.Requirements for the job depend on position in the hierarchy. While advancement opportunities may be limited, lower management positions only require a Bachelor’s in Healthcar e Administration or closely related field. For higher levels of management, a Master’s degree or doctorate may be required, as well as experience in the healthcare field. Experience in an administration position will also prove useful.Administrators have a median salary of $94,500 and a growth rate of 17 percent through 2024, opening up a promising route for those looking to affect patients in a different way.evalWhether your goal is to become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and work with patients, or a manager in administration affecting policy, growth is coming to the healthcare industry. The Baby Boomer generation is creating an unprecedented number of senior citizens in the United States; nurses and healthcare professionals and and will continue to be in high demand.