AmericanPublic Media’s radio program Marketplace recently broadcast a storyregarding the nursing shortage in the US, which ispredicted to worsen over the next ten years. The shortage is expected for the following reasons:
- Morethan one third of RNs in the United States are over the age of 50 and willbegin retiring or working less hours in the coming years.
- Asthese RNs retire, there are not enough new RNs to fill the open positions.
- Thecost of training new RNs is going up. Many RNs graduate with over $70,000 of debt, which has dissuaded somestudents from pursuing a career as an RN. This has also led some US lawmakers to consider government grants fornursing students.
- By2025 nearly 70 million Americans will be over the age of 65 and many will havechronic illnesses which will likely create more demand for RNs in the UnitedStates.
- Many more Americans have access to healthcare underthe Affordable Care Act (also called Obamacare); this too will cause moredemand for medical treatment and the need for RNs.
TheUS Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of RNswill grow16% from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for otheroccupations. Job opportunities for RNsare expected to be good.