Considering a career in nursing is a smart move for high school or college students or those thinking of a career change.
According to a 2015 survey conducted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and The Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers, 50% of the registered nurse (RN) workforce is age 50 or older and many will be retiring in the next 10 years. This, coupled with an increase in the health care needs of an aging baby boom population, means RNs will be in high demand during the next decade. In fact, by 2024, the California Employment Development Department projects there will be 105,000 RN job openings in the state.
Nurses are the backbone of the medical community and they play an important role in health care. Every day, they make a positive difference in the lives of others.
RNs care for patients, keep records, administer medication, consult with other healthcare providers, monitor patients and educate individuals and family. They also have to stay up-to-date on new technology and tools. Nurses provide care to patients and families and support to doctors and other health care professionals involved in the care of their patient.
RNs can work in hospitals, clinics, schools, medical offices, nursing care facilities and correctional facilities. They also serve in the military. RNs may work with children in pediatrics, with newborns in neonatal care, with seniors in geriatrics and with women giving birth in the delivery room. They can also work in orthopedics, pain management, post-anesthesia care and a number of other health care fields.
A nursing career offers a flexible work schedule and an average income ranging from $60,700 to $162,900. While in the past nurses have mostly been women, more and more men are choosing careers as registered nurses.
There are many paths you can take to become an RN. The California Board of Registered Nursing, the agency that licenses and regulates registered nurses, has resources available to help you explore and plan your nursing career. For information on how to become a registered nurse, visit the board’s website here.
The board has also created a brochure to encourage and help you as you consider this important career. You can view it here.
For more information on the Board of Registered Nursing, visit www.rn.ca.gov.
