by Valerie Johnson

Created on: November 16, 2008   Last Updated: November 20, 2008

Consider this, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the demand for Registered Nurses is expected to increase 2% to 3% each year. "Government analysts project that more than 587,000 new nursing positions will be created through 2016 (a 23.5% increase) making nursing the nation's top profession in terms of projected job growth." (http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/FactSheets/NursingSh ortage.htm) With unemployment figures continuing to rise, nursing may be a field more people need to take a serious look at.

There are far more jobs available for nurses outside of a hospital setting than most people realize. Nurses play important roles in many areas of society from schools to corporations and everything in between. It is definitely a profession with a large variety of options making it more appealing to a broader scope of people.

What qualities do you have that would make you a good nurse? Are you compassionate toward others? Are you a good listener? Do you possess good communication skills? Are you a team player? If you answered yes to any of these, then a career in nursing may be just for you.

Nurses are experts at multitasking and possess good organizational skills. Prioritizing problems and possessing the ability to handle them efficiently and quickly is one mark of a great nurse. Nurses also must be good communicators with patients, other staff members and physicians. It is important that nurses understand what directions they are being given and equally important that those they are talking to understand what the nurse is saying. Nurses are also teachers, teaching staff about medical procedures and patients about diseases and medical tests.

Competition to get into a nursing school is stiff. With the nursing shortage there are more and more applicants each year and the schools are trying to keep up with the demand but many applicants are rejected. If you feel you have what it takes to be a nurse, what can you do to get into that nursing school and earn a degree?

There are 2 types of degrees that will allow you to take the national nursing licensing exam: associate's degree and a bachelor's degree. The difference is the amount of general education requirements. The nursing program is 2 years at either a 2 or 4 year college. No matter what degree you obtain upon graduation, you will sit for the same licensing exam.

Study the nursing schools in your area. How many applications to they get annually and how many are accepted? Find out what their application process involves and what specifics they are looking for in their applicants.

A degree in nursing can open many doors that you never knew existed and can lead to one of the most rewarding careers you'll ever have.

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