Resources for Students

Labor Market

Nurses are in high demand!

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 1 million new and replacement nurses will be needed by 2016. Further, 587,000+ new nursing positions will be created through 2016 (a 23.5% increase), making nursing the nation’s top profession in terms of projected job growth.

The demand for qualified nurses is driven by a worldwide nursing shortage. Plus, people live longer and require more health care. The imbalances between supply and demand should spur efforts to attract and retain qualified RNs.

Employers are already restructuring workloads, improving compensation and working conditions, and subsidizing training/continuing education to attract and retain nurses. This makes a career in nursing even more attractive.

Although a stable job market and career mobility are good reasons to consider nursing as a career, the daily rewards of the job are even better reasons. As a nurse, you touch people's lives every day. Nurses are the frontline caregivers, using their healing skills to provide the 1-on-1 care that patients deserve.

Learn more
Discover Nursing from Johnson & Johnson
Nurses for a Healthier Tomorrow
US Department of Labor

Salaries

You can earn more than you expect. The US Department of Labor reports the median annual earnings of RNs were $57,280 in May 2006. The middle 50% earned between $47,710 and $69,850.

Pay can vary depending on your level of education, your certifications and your specialty. According to the American Nursing Association, the average clinical nurse specialist earns $41,226, nurse practitioners on average earn $43,636, and nurse anesthetists earn $76,053. Some hospitals are even starting to offer signing bonuses of up to $14,000 for experienced nurses.

Learn more
American Association of Nurse Executives
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09
Salary.com

Education

There are 1,500+ nursing programs in the US and 3 types that prepare you for different nursing roles:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): 4-year program offered at colleges and universities
• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): 2-year program offered at many community and junior colleges, hospital schools of nursing and universities
• Hospital Diploma: 2 or 3-year program based in hospital settings. Many diploma schools are affiliated with junior colleges where students take basic science and English requirements.

It is ideal to complete a baccalaureate degree program. This gives you the most opportunity for advancement and flexibility. Employers prefer to hire nurses with BSN degrees because they are prepared to practice in all health care settings. Demand for nurses is acute in key specialties, such as critical care, neonatal nursing, and labor and delivery units. Students with advanced clinical skills are hired quickly after graduating.

A baccalaureate degree is also required for those interested in a master's degree in nursing. A master's degree is required for advanced specialty areas, such as:

• Nurse practitioner
• Nurse anesthetist
• Nurse midwife
• Clinical nurse specialist

It's never too late to become a nurse. Nursing is a great second career. There are numerous programs geared toward college graduates called post-baccalaureate, second degree or accelerated degrees. Post-bac programs (BA to BSN, or BS to BSN) recognize your previous education and build on it, without repeating it.

Learn More
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Federal Student Aid
National League for Nursing
National Student Nurses Association
Nursing as a Second Career
Nursing Schools and Degree Programs

Licensing

Upon graduation, you will need to be licensed as an Advanced Practice Nurse, a Registered Nurse (RN) or as a Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/VN). Nurses must be licensed in the state where they work. After graduation, you must take the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN license examination to become a licensed nurse.

Learn More
National Council of State Boards of Nursing
Nurse Licensing Requirements

Specialities

One unique aspect of nursing is the flexibility to explore multiple fields. There is no such thing as a "generic" nurse. There are ER nurses, labor and delivery nurses, pediatric nurses—the list goes on and on.

Choosing a specialty can be a difficult but exciting process, as you realize all the available options. Learn as much as possible before making a decision. Sample your interests, whether you want to experience the energy of the ER or the tenderness of a neonatal unit. And don't worry, as many nurses know, you can change specialties throughout your career.

Certification usually involves an additional testing procedure, documented practical experience and further education. Once you decide what's best for you, be a joiner. Join a professional assocation as a student to connect with mentors and future colleagues. 

Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses
American Association of Critical Care Nurses
American Association of Occupational Health Nurses
American College of Nurse-Midwives
American College of Nurse Practitioners
American Nurses Association
American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses
American Psychiatric Nurses Association
Association of Neonatal Nurses
Association of Operating Room Nurses
Association of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition Nurses
Association of Pediatric Oncology Nursing
Association of Women's Health, Obstetric & Neonatal Nurses
Case Management Society of America
Dermatology Nurses Association
Emergency Nurses Association
Infusion Nurses Society
National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration/Long Term Care
National Association of Neonatal Nurses
National Association of Orthopedic Nurses
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates & Practitioners
National Gerontological Nursing Association
Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health 
Oncology Nursing Society
Society of Gastroenterology Nurses & Associates

Financial Aid

To secure financial aid, first complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students must complete this application in order to qualify for any federal student aid, including grants, loans and work-study opportunities. FAFSA is also used by states and schools to award non-federal student aid, including scholarships.

Scholarship Sources:

• Dependents: Contact your parents' employers and unions to see if they offer scholarships.
• Contact your local and state board of health for nursing scholarships.
• Some states offer public funding to students interested in serving in rural or underserved area upon graduation. Ask your school counselor.
• Local chapters of community service clubs (like Kiwanis, Rotary, Elks, or Lions) typically offer scholarships.
• Find local hospitals with scholarship programs. Note: if you accept a scholarship, many of the hospitals require you to work there after graduation.
• Some ethnic and religious organizations including churches and other houses of worship offer scholarships to members.

Application Tips:

• Search for scholarships early. You'll need ample time to meet deadlines.
• Follow the guidelines of the application closely. Provide complete and accurate personal information and stay within word limits on essays!
• Neatness counts. Be sure to type the required information. Check spelling and grammar.
• Only apply for scholarships for which you are qualified. If you are not sure, ask the scholarship contact person for guidance.
• Define yourself in a creative way to stand out.
• Include strong letters of recommendation, if requested.

Learn More
Discover Nursing Scholarship Search
Free Application for Federal Student Aid


Questions? Email Nursing Career Center Customer Service