Nursing Job Trends Include Healthcare for Aging Baby Boomers
Baby boomers aged 55 to 64 are living longer, and as this segment of the population grows, so do the numbers of Americans with at least one chronic illness. According to the NCOA, “Approximately 92 percent of older adults have at least one chronic disease, and 77 percent have at least two.” Consequently, a larger patient population with chronic illnesses necessitates more nurses. Job opportunities for nurses will increase as baby boomers’ healthcare needs and medical issues increase. Working nurses are seeking flexible alternatives to traditional classroom settings when expanding their education; online nursing degree programs such as the University of Rhode Island’s RN to BS in Nursing program.
Baby Boomers and Healthcare Means More Jobs for Nurses
- Baby boomers by the numbers
A report by CBS MoneyWatch says about 1 in 4 U.S. residents will reach age 65 by the year 2060, compared to the ration of 1 in 7 in 2013. - Nursing shortage projected
A shortage of nurses is expected through 2030, says the “United States Registered Nurse Workforce Report Card and Shortage Forecast” published in the American Journal of Medical Quality, January 2012. - Job opportunities for nurses
A 2013 Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Employment Projections 2012-2022 report indicates the top job growth occupation is RN. In fact, more than 525,000 replacement nurses will be necessary, the Bureau projects.
Aging Baby Boomers Have More Complex Diagnoses
Factors such as poverty and chronic illnesses including hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes will mean more medical care for baby boomers. Many Americans are living longer due to prescription drugs, and the baby boomers are heavy users of prescription drugs such as anti-diabetic pills and cholesterol-reducing drugs.
This group will need more nurses
Not only will more nurses be necessary to help take care of aging American adults, they will also need to be up-to-date on the latest treatments and clinical protocols to ensure these patients receive the best care possible.
Job opportunities for nurses who want to expand their horizons can be ready to care for baby boomers and advance their career opportunities by studying online for a RN to BS in nursing program.
Learn more about the URI online RN to BSN program.
Sources:
http://time.com/3852306/baby-boomer-health-charts/
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-many-older-americans-are-there-and-how-are-they-doing/
http://blog.supplementalhealthcare.com/patient-care-forum/current-trends-nursing-2015
http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/fact-sheets/nursing-shortage
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