NURSING TODAY
Thanks to the aging of our population, demand for healthcare services and the number of nurses preparing to retire from the workforce, the job outlook for careers in the field of nursing is promising.
The potential demand for more healthcare providers has created a need for an increase in recruitment and retention of registered nurses (RNs). A high priority is focused on greater 
recruitment of men, with an emphasis on ethnic and national diversity.
It is a great time for men to consider a career in nursing!
OPPORTUNITIES AND BENEFITS
Male nurses are not a new phenomenon. Historically, nursing had significant male representation until the 1800s. During the Civil War, a shift began when men were engaged in other pursuits and women stepped into those positions. By the 1900s, nursing schools were admitting only women, and the Army and Navy Nurse Corps were limited to women. Men were not allowed to serve in nursing positions in those organizations until after the Korean War. Currently, women make up the majority of nurses (2011 American Community Survey). However, since the 1970s, the number of men in the profession has continuously grown as more men discover the richness of career opportunities available in the nursing profession.
“Show me the money!” – Rod Tidwell, Jerry Maguire (1996)
According to recent surveys, RNs have very low unemployment rates because of high demand for skilled nursing care, and annual salaries range from $60,700 to $162,900.
NURSING OCCUPATIONS AND WHAT THEY DO
- Registered Nurse – Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, maintain medical records, and administer holistic healthcare. Average pay is $60,000-plus.
- Nurse Anesthetists – Administer anesthesia and monitor patients’ recovery from anesthesia. Specialized graduate education is required. Average pay is $150,000-plus.
- Nurse-Midwife – Diagnose and coordinate all aspects of the birthing process and provide gynecological care. Specialized graduate education is required. Average pay is $80,000-plus.
- Nurse Practitioner – Diagnose and treat illnesses and may order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests. May prescribe medications and work as a healthcare consultant. Specialized graduate education is required. Average pay is $80,000-plus.
LIKE WHAT YOU’VE READ SO FAR?
There are many routes to travel to arrive at a nursing career. Whether you’re still in high school, a college student, or weighing a career change, consider a career in nursing that will allow you to make a positive difference in the lives of others while also achieving your personal and financial goals.
The California Board of Registered Nursing has helpful resources available to you to assist in your research of a career in nursing. The brochure “Consider A Rewarding Career In Nursing!” is available online at the Board of Registered Nursing’s Web site, www.rn.ca.gov.
