The Nursing Shortage: Why Nursing is the Growth Area of the Economy

Nursing is one of the fastest growing careers inand some diseases once thought insurmountable
the United States. Over the next few years,are no longer such a difficulty. Medication,
nursing will create the second largest number oftechnology and rehabilitation are ensuring many
jobs among all occupations. According to thepeople survive where before they died. The
United States Department of Labor, this trend willcountry needs nurses to train in ways to facilitate
last through 2012 with faster than averagein these new trends. Nurses will ensure people
growth for registered nurses. You can expectcontinue to live long and comfortable lives.
similar trends for home health aides and nursingThere are other reasons why nursing is becoming
specialists such as clinical nurses, anesthetists,a strong career choice. The presence of disease
midwives and nursing practitioners.and the fear of upcoming epidemics are two
Nurses, over the next few decades, will berationales behind why nurses are a necessity.
required to treat patients, educate patients andThere is little doubt in many doctor's minds that
the public about the various medical conditions andthe earth is due for a large epidemic. SARS, the
provide information and emotional support to theBird Flu, Super Flu, Flesh-eating Disease and Mad
patient's family members and friends. High schools,Cow Disease are possible deadly scenarios. Every
junior colleges, colleges and universities will providecommunity needs nurses to combat these deadly
an increasing number of educated and trainedviral infections and other possible pandemics.
nurses to address the growing concerns andCurrently, communities require nurses to help in
demands of the American public. Over the nextthe fight of an actual epidemic - AIDS/HIV.
decade, the challenge for nurses will be high asAlthough it appears to be under a certain amount
they face a fast-paced world.of control, the need is very strong for nurses to
This boom in nursing careers is the result of acontinue to be at the front lines. More nurses are
number of converging factors. The mostthe answer to helping patients understand and
commonly quoted is the boomers. The populationcope with the ongoing and far-reaching
is aging. There is an ever- growing amount ofconsequences of the disease. Nurses will help-out
elderly. As they grow older, they will access,patients and educate the public in what the illness
increasingly, the health-system. The country willis, and inform them how to treat and how to
need nurses to help the aged remain active andavoid it.
healthy. Nurses' Aides will assist the elderly inThe United States is at war. This is a fact. There
remaining in their homes. Various types of nursesis the traditional concept of war in Afghanistan
will also work in homes for the elderly and in theand Iraq for people to deal with as well as the
geriatric field.idea of a war on terror. The war produces
The population of the United States continues tocasualties of all kinds. Veterans are the obvious
grow. The country needs more nurses to meetvictims. They suffer short and long-term damage.
the needs of this increasing and varied population.It may be physical or psychological. The schools
The extension of a person's lifetime merely addsneed to provide nurses in sufficient numbers to
to the increased demand. The expanding medicalhelp heal physical wounds and cope with
technologies and continuous discoveries in nutritionpermanent damage. These male and female will
and health have advanced the age of an individual.require trained nurses to teach men, women and
New technological innovations also ensuretheir families to deal with the problems, recognize
individuals are alive and functioning longer thanthe signs and help them help themselves.
before believed possible.There is more than one reason why nursing is
Technology and new nursing techniques ensurebecoming a growth career. In the following years,
certain injuries and diseases no longer mean anboth individuals and the country as a whole will
automatic death sentence. Spinal cord afflictionssee the need for an increasing and active nursing
and diseases, severe burns, congenital irregularitiessector.