According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2034, there will be 77 million people age 65 and older. As we age, we also are at risk of developing chronic conditions. So, an older population means more people will be needing nursing care. Also driving the need for more nurses is the fact that nurses themselves are reaching retirement age.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing conducted a study in 2020 which found that the average age of a registered nurse is 52 years old. Over the next 15 years, many of those nurses will probably be retiring.
These are just some of the reasons why the need for more nurses is growing. How can you decide if nursing is right for you? We talked with two nurses to see what they enjoy about their jobs.
An Inside Look at Nursing Careers
Jamine Lewis, used to work in IT, managing computer systems. She switched careers and today is a registered nurse at West Penn Hospital.
According to Jamine, being a nurse is much more than just passing out medications, “we have to try and understand what’s going on with the patient.”
See what Jamine does in a day and hear her advice on what it takes to succeed as a nurse.
Theresa Plance is also a registered nurse at West Penn Hospital, in the neonatal intensive care unit, helping parents learn how to care for their babies at home. In this video, she shares what she does in a typical day.
Get Started in a Nursing Career
Today there are a number of ways to work in and support those in the nursing field, as a registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse or as a medical assistant. Community colleges like CCAC, have programs for nursing, plus certificate programs for support programs and more.