Profession
Nursing to see largest job growth, labor bureau says
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted March 8, 2004
For the first time in recent years, the nursing profession is expected to see the most job growth of all occupations, said the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Registered nurse ranked No. 1 on the bureau's list of jobs that will see the biggest gains in new positions. The bureau estimates the number of registered nurses will increase 623,000 to 2.9 million in 2012, up from 2.3 million in 2002.
Leaders in the nursing community said continued investment in education as well as the recruitment and training of nurses was needed to meet anticipated growth. Of the 2.9 million jobs anticipated in 2012, 477,000 will be positions left vacant by retiring nurses and 623,000 will be new positions.
"Given the aging of the U.S. population and the increased demand for nursing care, it's not surprising that the growth in RN jobs is skyrocketing," said Barbara Blakeney, APRN, ANP, president of the American Nurses Assn.
The ANA is call for $205 million in Title VIII funds for nursing work force development, compared with the $147 million President Bush earmarked for nursing in the proposed 2005 budget.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/03/08/prbf0308.htm.