| The United States nursing shortage is currently | | | | difference between working in your profession or not. |
| intensifying as the population gets older and the need | | | | Step 2: Identify what field of nursing you enjoy the |
| for nursing care grows. With 2.4 million licensed nurses | | | | most which doesn't involve much physical work or lots |
| in the US, that number will continue to decrease as the | | | | of walking. Some suggestions would be a telephone |
| profession becomes a career fewer young people | | | | triage nurse, pediatric home nurse, school nurse, |
| want to pursue. Estimates have shown that by 2025, | | | | educator, pastoral nurse. By visiting on-line nursing |
| the nursing shortage will be expected to grow to | | | | forums and support groups, other nurses and career |
| 260,000. Unfortunately the current economic downturn | | | | counselors can help you find a specific nursing niche |
| has made the nursing profession more stressful and | | | | that will suit your personality and education aspirations. |
| intolerable because cost cutting measures require | | | | Step 3: Once you have identified what area of nursing |
| more and more responsibilities be given to the | | | | you would like to transition into, research the profession |
| profession. How should the working nurse approach | | | | to see if you need to have more education or training |
| increasing difficulties with the profession? By finding | | | | to land a new job. For example, if you would like to |
| alternative nursing jobs and planning, a nurse can find | | | | become a nursing educator, find out what classes you |
| career satisfaction in a number of ways. | | | | need to take on-line or at your local university. |
| Nursing can be emotionally and physically draining so | | | | Step 4: If you would like to stay in a field that requires |
| proper planning for career transition later in life is | | | | some medical knowledge but doesn't necessarily |
| needed. There are numerous options to consider when | | | | require patient care, look into law, medical testing |
| thinking about a career transition but planning will help | | | | facilities, medical supply sales, public relations, medical |
| you feel empowered when you just "can't take it | | | | writing, holistic health, insurance, and the list goes on. |
| anymore." Making a career decision when your back is | | | | Step 5: To become less dependent on an employer's |
| out is not proper planning. Here are some suggested | | | | paycheck, consider starting your own on-line business. |
| steps you can take to be in control of your nursing | | | | There are numerous opportunities in direct sales, |
| career. | | | | affiliate marketing and network marketing. If retirement |
| Step 1: Take care of your physical and emotional | | | | income is of concern, consider products or services |
| health so you will not become burned out. Often times, | | | | that appropriate residual income into it's income plan. |
| nurses are taking care of people from morning until | | | | Being a nurse is a tough, tough job which requires a lot |
| night and rarely take time out for their own well being. | | | | of stamina from an average person. If you find |
| The children, husband, parents, patients and their | | | | yourself short tempered, chronically fatigued and |
| family's, friends, neighbors - the list of people who | | | | dreading your current nursing job, don't wait until it is to |
| require care goes on and on. Assess who is taking | | | | late to find a new career path. With a little planning, |
| care of you. Delegate tasks at home and learn when | | | | your future options will bring much hope and and |
| you have to say no. A few weekly actions can be the | | | | happiness. |