Consider a Nursing Career in Recessionary Times

With near daily news of layoffs and an economy in the tank, it can be tough to choose a career path that will have a job waiting for you when you graduate. To that, consider nursing.
Nursing can be a challenging job with long hours and stressful situations, and it’s not for the faint of heart (or those who faint at the sight of blood). In fact 20% of nurses quit within their first year. But these facts could make the field perfect for you for several reasons.
First, there is a national shortage of nurses and an ever-growing demand. As a result, not only are hospitals recruiting right out of school, but they are also increasing pay and other perks in an attempt to help retain the nurses they already have. Second, residencies for new nurses have also grown longer to help ease new entrants into the roll more gently. Third, the federal government is aiding the situation by giving hospitals money to invest in both on-the-job as well as classroom training, which could result in a cheaper education for you. And fourth, in an effort to get those funds from the hospitals, schools are improving their nursing programs and adding more advanced degrees in order to garner your business. Case in point: Walden University has recently added a Bachelor’s program for nursing.
If you think you’ve got what it takes, a cheaper education, greater pay and benefits, and a growing need for nurses are good reasons for you to consider this field.