It's only coincidental that Brown has since learned what a good career choice she has made. There are so many openings and opportunities. Brown is entering nursing at a time when the profession is beginning to see shortages, especially in specialized areas such as operating rooms, labor and delivery, emergency rooms, intensive care units, and high-risk pediatric units. We can expect more and more health care services for the elderly, including primary care, chronic care, and intensive care. Because many of these patients are going to be more acutely ill, Dr. Heller adds, there is also going to be a higher level of skill knowledge required of nurses to manage the technological advances in the health care professions.
Nursing can attract the best and the brightest.
Whereas once nurses plied their trade primarily in hospitals, the changing scene of health care is now giving rise to increasing opportunities in different settings, from community health centers to long-term care facilities to home health agencies and more. With the nursing shortage have also come increased opportunities for traveling nurses who work from three to six months at understaffed hospitals across the country. The nurses are paid not only their hourly wages, but also benefits, and expenses for rent, utilities, and travel. Dr. Heller sees nursing as a lifelong career with growth opportunities, career mobility, flexibility, and attractive salaries. To attract qualified nurses, many hospitals are also offering a signing bonus.