Compliance & Policy
HR & Workforce Management
SmartLinx University
Home » SmartLinx Blog » An Antidote to the Nursing Shortage? Get a Nursing Degree!
An Antidote to the Nursing Shortage? Get a Nursing Degree!
August 8, 2018 Darcy Grabenstein
The healthcare industry faces a nursing shortage that is predicted to last at least another five years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The bureau projects 1.1 million additional nurses will be needed to avoid a further shortage. Employment opportunities for nurses are projected to grow 15 percent, faster than all other occupations, from 2016 through 2026.
A recent study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Health Workforce and National Center for Health Workforce Analysis says the demand for registered nurses will grow by 46 percent, from 438,600 full-time employees in 2015 to 638,800 FTEs in 2030.
According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), there will be more registered nurse jobs available through 2022 than any other profession in the United States. So what is causing this shortage? The National Institutes of Health attributes it to several factors: lack of potential educators, nurse burnout, high turnover, inequitable distribution of the workforce, and an aging population.
The aging population exacerbates this need in specific industry segments, such as long-term care. Not only are qualified nurses retiring and leaving the workforce, as the Baby Boomers get older there will be an increase demand for acute-care nurses.
For healthcare recruiters, this trend poses a monumental challenge. For individuals, the shortage presents incredible opportunity. And for businesses with related products or services, the time is now to capitalize on this trend.
For those just starting their career, looking to change careers or considering a post-retirement career, nursing is a viable option. Not sure where to start? Many sites offer resources to help guide your career path.
If you're already a registered nurse, you can take advantage of the trend by earning an advanced degree. Your employer may offer partial or full tuition reimbursement, and an online RN-to-BSN program can offer the flexibility many nurses require due to varied shifts.
Due to the shortage, many healthcare facilities are forced to hire or promote under-qualified individuals. RNs who pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing improve their patient assessment skills, making them prime candidates for management roles. They also have the option of pursuing graduate studies.
Salaries are higher for nurses with a BSN degree. For an RN with a BSN, the starting salary is comparable to an RN with an associates degree in nursing (ADN). While an entry-level position may average $40,250 annually, the average annual pay for a RN with a BSN in $78,000, with the top 10 percent earning more than $96,320.
Once you've earned your degree, you'll need to fulfill annual continuing education (CE) requirements. As with the BSN degree, most of these courses can be completed online.
Not only can nursing be a financially rewarding career, it also is one in which you can make a positive impact on others' lives. Sure, the shift work can be rigorous, but you'll have to weigh the pros and cons to determine if a career in nursing is right for you.
Darcy Grabenstein is SmartLinx Content Marketing Manager.
How to Improve Employee Engagement with SmartLinx Go
Keep up with PBJ Reporting Requirements
SmartLinx provides an update on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Payroll-Based Journal (P...
Request a Personalized SmartLinx Demo ⬎
Current Provider - optional
Thank you, we'll be in touch soon.
Maximize Quality and Minimize Labor Costs with Workforce Management Software
Discover how to use a workforce management system improve staffing and reduce costs at skilled nursing, senior care, & long-term care facilities
How to Gain Efficiency through Lean Utilization and Workforce Management Systems
How together workforce management systems and lean principles increase productivity and reduce costs
The Growing Influence of Five-Star Quality Ratings in LTPAC
Looking for a better way to achieve Five-Star Quality Ratings? Discover how to use Payroll-Based Journal and artificial intelligence to get --- and --- keep the Five-Star Rating you desire.
How to Use a Mobile App to Enhance Employee Productivity
How to improve engagement among long-term, post-acute and senior care employees? Discover what they need or desire and a great way to give it them. Technology, especially mobile app, can help.
8 Simple Ways to Boost Employee Engagement in Long-Term Care and Senior Care
How can I engage senior care employees and improve productivity
SmartLinx provides an update on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Payroll-Based Journal (PBS) requirements for nursing homes.
Announcing the Launch of the New SmartLinx Support Center
SmartLinx Solutions has launched its new customer support center.
[Infographic] 2018: The Year of Applicant Tracking in Long-Term Care
Dealing with Staffing Shortages through Lean Utilization & Smart Recruiting Practices
For long-term care, in response to the current shortage, the mantra has been: staffing, staffing, staffing. Another way to deal with the shortage is through lean HR utilization.
Say 'I Do' to Employee Engagement
In the long-term care industry, where burnout is often a job-related hazard, it's extremely important to make sure your employees feel in the loop, listened to, and valued.
The Lowdown on Data for Payroll-Based Journal Reporting
Compliance with regulations such as Payroll-Based Journal means long-term care facilities must not only have accurate data across the entire organization, but have access to that data and analytics.
IRS Extends 1095-C Deadline, Works on Withholding Guidance
In response to the new tax reform law, the IRS has issued a 30-day extension for 1095-C reporting. It also is working to develop withholding guidance.
Is Your Organization Wasting Its Most Valuable Resource?
With talk about being environmentally conscious and conserving resources, organizations also must turn their focus inward to their most valuable resource: their employees.
Baby Boomer Nurses Are Preparing for Retirement — What Does This Mean for Your LTC Facility?
With competition for skilled nurses stiff due to the nursing shortage, and human resources staff stretched thin, long-term care facilities need every advantage when looking to attract top talent.
How to Make Fortune's 'Best Workplaces in Aging Services' List
Fortune magazine's upcoming "Best Workplaces in Aging Services" list is scheduled for September 2018 publication. How can your facility position itself for inclusion in the list?
The PBJ Update ― What You Need to Know
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is updating its submission requirements for Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) reporting. Here's what you need to know.
Countdown to 2018: Early W-2 Filing
For tax year 2017, both electronic and paper Form W-2 wage reports must be filed by employers with the Social Security Administration (SSA) by Jan. 31, 2018. Are you ready?
How to Make Holiday Workforce Planning Easy as Pie
As the holidays approach, we take a look at four areas impacted by holiday schedules: scheduling, time & attendance, HR, and payroll.
3 Ways to Make the Most of Healthcare Industry Growth
The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released its 2016-26 Employment Projections Report, listing the Top 10 fastest-growing occupations over the next decade.
© SmartLinx Solutions