Nursing--Career Opportunities

Career prospects in the nursing profession are excellent. Employment of registered nurses is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2010. Driving this growth are technological/scientific advances in patient care as well as an aging population.

Median annual earnings of registered nurses were $44,840 in 2000 according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Creative job scheduling opportunities are often available allowing for a balance between professional and personal commitments. Registered nurses practice in a wide variety of settings, including acute care hospitals, home health, clinics, ambulatory surgi-centers, schools, business and industry. Diverse career pathways provide for lifelong opportunities in nursing.