It’s no secret that the United States is experiencing a shortage of Registered Nurses, and that the demand for nurses is continuing to grow with an aging population and greater access to healthcare in the country. And a recent survey by the Connecticut Department of Labor shows that even locally, job opportunities for registered nurses continues to rise.
The Department of Labor found that of the top 20 job vacancies statewide, RNs were at the top of the list with 1,763 estimated total vacancies. And other medical and healthcare support jobs rounded out other spots on the list, including nursing assistants at number seven with 747 estimated vacancies and personal care aides at number 14 with 507 vacancies.
Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that jobs for registered nurses are projected to grow 19 percent between 2012 and 2022. That’s an estimated 526,800 jobs nationwide! But even better, the American Nurses Association (ANA) analysis found that the BLS data only takes into account companies that report registered nurses employed to perform registered nurse duties. In short, that means it doesn’t include registered nurses who are self-employed or personal business owners.
And these numbers are expected to continue into the immediate future. A 2013 survey conducted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and The Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers, 55 percent of the RN workforce is age 50 or older. The Health Resources and Services Administration projects that more than 1 million RNs will reach retirement age in the next 10 to 15 years!
For those looking to join a caring and in-demand field, earning an associate’s degree in nursing from a registered nursing program in CT is a great investment in the future! Goodwin College’s competitive associates degree in nursing program is designed to get students licensed and working in as little as 18 months part-time. Whether they’re looking to get into the field of nursing or are already in the field, Goodwin is the nursing school with the right fit for a busy lifestyle!
Interested in learning more about Goodwin College? Learn more today, or check out all of our nursing programs to see why we’re a leader in healthcare education in CT! You can also interact with us on Facebook or Twitter!