Nursing

The shortage of qualified nurses is causing a national crisis in our healthcare system. The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and NJN are working together to promote public awareness of the shortage in the nursing profession.

The Need

The shortage of nurses is being felt throughout the country, and New Jersey is no exception. The fastest growing segment of the population is the elderly, the group that demands the most health care. The effects of the shortage are dire. For instance, hospitals may be unable to schedule surgeries on a timely basis and there may not be adequate numbers of registered nurses in emergency care where many patients may need to be admitted.

The number of new recruits is unable to keep pace with a nursing workforce that is aging and retiring. While the number of men in nursing has increased, women continue to make up 94 percent of the RN workforce. Despite recruitment efforts, minorities are also underrepresented in the nursing workforce. Greater success in recruiting minorities is critical as the U.S. population and the labor force continue to increase in diversity.

The nursing shortage issue has captured the attention of everyone that is affected by the healthcare industry. From hospitals to the legislators and non-profit organizations, there are many that are trying to come together to find a solution to this growing problem.

Qualifications for becoming a Registered Nurse (RN)

In all States, students must graduate from a nursing program and pass a national licensing examination to obtain a nursing license. Nurses may be licensed in more than one State, either by examination or endorsement of a license issued by another State. Licenses must be periodically renewed. Some states require continuing education for licensure renewal.

There are three major educational paths to nursing: Associate Degree in Nursing (A.D.N.), Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (B.S.N.), and diploma. A.D.N. programs, offered by community and junior colleges, take about 2 years. B.S.N. programs, offered by colleges and universities, take 4 or 5 years. Diploma programs, given in hospitals, last 2 to 3 years. Only a small number of programs, about 4 percent, offer diploma level degrees. Generally, licensed graduates of any of the three program types qualify for entry-level positions as staff nurses.

Individuals considering nursing should carefully weigh the pros and cons of enrolling in a B.S.N. program, since their advancement opportunities are broader. In fact, many career paths are open only to nurses with bachelor's or advanced degrees. A bachelor's degree is usually necessary for administrative positions and is a prerequisite for admission to graduate nursing programs in research, consulting, teaching, or a clinical specialization.

Many A.D.N. and diploma-trained nurses enter bachelor's programs to prepare for a broader scope of nursing practice. They can often find a hospital position and then take advantage of tuition reimbursement programs to work toward a B.S.N.

Nursing education includes classroom instruction and supervised clinical experience in hospitals and other health facilities. Students take courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, psychology and other behavioral sciences, and nursing. Coursework also includes liberal arts classes.

Supervised clinical experience is provided in hospital departments such as pediatrics, psychiatry, maternity, and surgery. A growing number of programs include clinical experience in nursing homes, public health departments, home health agencies, and ambulatory clinics.

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