Nursing: Largest health care job has room to grow ARA Content
Registered nursing — already the largest health care occupation with 2.7 million jobs — is on a massive growth trajectory. Employment of registered nurses (RNs) is expected to increase by 26 percent by 2020 and nursing was recently ranked No. 1 in the U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Jobs” list for 2012. Stephanie Augustin, 27, of Miramar, Fla., can attest to the nursing appeal. profession’s After earning a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in reading education, Augustin worked as a fifthgrade science teacher. But various factors made her question her job stability as a new teacher, including her school’s budget cuts and new salary regulations. Deciding to seek a new career opportunity, Augustin left her position as an elementary teacher to pursue nursing, enrolling in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at Chamberlain College of Nursing. As a full-time student, Augustin will take three years to complete the program, with flexible online classes, which allow her to work as a tutor while enrolled in school. “I’m confident in my decision to transition to a more in-demand career,” says Augustin. “Nursing provides an opportunity for me to
renew each patient’s sense of hope and trust in the health care process, allowing me to feel better as an individual by lending a helping hand during my patient’s time of need. “It’s still in my heart to teach,” she adds, “but I’d rather teach people how to stay healthy.” The nursing profession can offer many qualities that job-seekers and career-changers find attractive, such as job stability, flexibility and career advancement opportunities. Additionally, nursing is a well-respected field and has been named the most trusted profession for 11 of the last 12 years, according to the annual Gallup Poll survey. “Many job-seekers and career-changers are looking for a profession that is not only ripe with opportunity but also a personally rewarding livelihood,” says Michelle Mercurio, national manager of career services at ChamCollege of berlain Nursing. “Although nursing can be challenging, nurses have the opportunity to really make a positive impact in a patient’s life, allowing the nurses to give personally and feel satisfied at the end of the day — knowing they made a difference.” Several different academic paths can lead to a nursing career, but many employers prefer to hire nurses who have a BSN degree rather
than an associate degree in nursing. Research shows that more positive patient outcomes occur when nurses are prepared at the baccalaureate level. One group of researchers found that every 10 percent increase in the proportion of BSN nurses on the hospital staff was associated with a 4 percent decrease in the risk of death. Recognizing the increased need for more highly educated nurses, many nursing schools now offer accelerated BSN degree programs. Chamberlain, for example, enables students like Augustin to earn their BSN degree in as few as three years of year-round study, allowing them to enter the workforce sooner than their peers. In addition, students can earn advanced degrees, including a master of science in nursing with a specialization in the in-demand areas of nursing education, executive leadership or the hightech discipline of nursing informatics. The high level of fulfillment provided by the
nursing profession, combined with job stability, flexibility and employment and advancement opportunities, make it a rewarding lifelong career. Nurses week is may 6 to 12. ARA photo
Deb Brehmer, RN • Director of Healthcare
Beverly Winkels, RN
Tara Jensen, LPN
Diane Maxwell, LPN
Deb has been an RN for 10 years and discovered partway into that career that working with the elderly was where her heart was. She joined the Cedars in 2011 and loves her daily mission of providing care, dignity and safety to the residents “They may forget what you say, but they will never forget how you made them feel” Tara has been at the Cedars since 2006. She has been an LPN for 15 years, all of them in long-term care. She started out as a nurse’s aide in 1990, and knew from the experience that working with the elderly would be her area of expertise. “The best thing about The Cedars in particular is the family-like atmosphere with the staff, residents, and their families.”
Bev joined the Cedars in March 2012. She has been in the healthcare field since 1969 and RN since 1974. She is looking forward to working with all the residents at the Cedars and being part of the team at the Cedars.
Diane has been with the Cedars since 2011. She has been in the healthcare field since 1980 and an LPN since 1988. She is happy to be back working in this field and is enjoying getting to know the residents. Providing quality care to the residents is Diane’s focus. “I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”
THE BEST POSSIBLE CARE IS PERSON-CENTERED AND PROVIDED BY COMPASSIONATE STAFF.
We thank all of our nurses in our nursing home, home care, day programs & assisted living!
You’re the best!
Sacred Heart
A local non-profit agency.
Known for quality care since 1964.
Skilled Nursing Facility Home Health Care Adult Day Programs & Assisted Living
1200 12th Street SW • Austin
433-1808