If you’re reading this, you’re probably thinking about whether, or not, you should leave the
healthcare profession altogether. Studies have shown that two out of every three nurses (67%)
plan to leave their current position within three years, with nearly 36% planning to leave within
the next 12 months.
Like every industry during the great recession, the nursing profession hit a tipping point. In
2021, hospital turnover hit a national average high of 27.1% across the United States. The good
news, your skill set as a nurse isn’t going out of style any time soon.
This article will provide an overview of the future job market for nurses at all levels of education
and provide strategies to help you pursue a nursing career that you are passionate about. You
have options and opportunities ahead of you as it pertains to your nursing career. Take control
of your license and find your sense of purpose again.
Overview of the Nursing Job Market
By 2030, it’s expected that Alaska, South Carolina, South Dakota, California, New Jersey,
Texas, and Georgia will have the greatest need for nurses in their hospitals. Registered nurses
(RNs) make up the majority of the workforce and are expected to increase to 3.3 million by 2031
from 3.1 million in 2021, with over 200,000 job openings expected every year, according to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are expected to add close to 65,000 jobs by 2031. It’s
predicted that licensed practical nurses (LPNs) will add 41,000 jobs in the same timeframe and
the demand for advanced practice nurses (APRNs) is expected to increase by 40% by 2031,
adding close to 120,000 jobs.
What This Means For You
The demand for nurses is at an all-time high, and the role of nurses in delivering quality care
has never been more important. New technologies are emerging every day and the landscape
of healthcare continues to change. With new developments and advances in medicines comes
opportunity.
There is no longer a need for nurses to confine themselves to the walls of a hospital. With the
rise of telehealth and remote care, there are more options than ever for flexible work
arrangements and career paths. No matter where you see yourself, there is an opportunity out
there waiting for you to find it.
Taking Charge of Your Nursing Career
If you want to revitalize your nursing career, you must bring new excitement, motivation, and
purpose to your work so that you can feel fulfilled within the context of your profession. To do
that you’ll need to take some time to create the space that is needed to properly and thoroughly
assess your own values and beliefs when it comes to nursing.
Any period of transition can feel overwhelming at times, so be kind to yourself. The end goal is
to feel empowered and inspired to create change. It’s important to remember that your nursing
career is a journey, and you have the power to put yourself in the driver’s seat.
Steps to Gain Control of Your License
Let’s take a look at some of the steps you can take in order to gain a sense of direction for your
license. This series will continue to explore each of these sections in more detail, so stay tuned
to the end and sign up to stay updated.
● Assess your current situation
● Diagnose why you feel stuck
● Prioritize what matters most to you
● Implement needed changes
● Evaluate at regular intervals
Assess
As you know, the assessment of your current situation is one of the most important pieces to
creating the change you want to see for yourself. Where are you currently in your career? What
does the best-case scenario look like to you?
To answer these questions, it’s imperative that you have a clear understanding of the goals you
have for yourself and your nursing career as the first step to achieving them. This is why an
honest and realistic assessment of where you are and where you want to end up can save you
time and frustration in the long run.
Diagnose
Remember those statistics from earlier? You’re not alone if you feel you need a change. Once
you have your assessment you can begin to take a look at what no longer aligns with your
future career goals and aspirations for yourself in your current situation.
Prioritize
Now, you can start to research and prioritize what options are out there waiting for you. After
you have figured out where you want your nursing career to end up in the future, and you know
what is not working for you right now, you can start to prioritize what is most important to you.
This may lead you to talk with your current management team and find you a new position in the
organization or it may look like research and networking to see what new opportunities are out
there waiting for you.
Implement
With any change, it’s best to implement a few safeguards to keep you on the right track and
feeling fulfilled. With the help of the internet and social media, this part of the equation has
never been easier.
LinkedIn is one of the biggest professional networking sites in the world and offers many
professional networking opportunities for the healthcare industry. In this step, you will begin to
update your resume and prepare for interviews so you have the best chance possible to land
the job that will propel your nursing career forward.
Evaluate
As your career goals evolve over time, it is important to continually reflect on them to ensure you
are on the path to fulfillment, and not a dead-end road. By taking an active role in your career
development, you can not only revitalize your career but also have greater control over the
direction of your professional growth.
If you want to find your next opportunity, an online staffing agency is a powerful tool for nurses
who want to research their options, see what jobs are available in their area, or stay connected
to a growing network of nurses.
Online job search platforms like America Needs Nurses, include access to a wide range of job
opportunities, flexible scheduling options, and personalized support in finding the right job fit. By
partnering with an online nurse staffing agency, you can take your nursing career to the next
level and find fulfillment in your career.
Whether you’re looking for new job opportunities, more flexible scheduling options, or
personalized support in your career journey, an online nurse staffing agency can help.
Sign up now to start your journey towards a revitalized nursing career today and discover the
many opportunities that await you.
