Millennials and the Nursing Profession
Many Millennials are now in their mid-20s and early 30s. They grew up during the Great Recession and remember when jobs were scarce and wages were stagnant. Maybe this is why Millennials are so attracted to the nursing profession.
Twice as likely to become nurses
Millennials are twice as likely to become nurses than Baby Boomers were, according to a study from Health Affairs. The study revealed that Millennials are entering the nursing field at a rate that is nearly double the rate Baby Boomers entered.
Nursing shortages had seemed almost certain when looking at the retirement rates of Baby Boomer nurses; however, the fact that Millennials are entering the field shows that the nursing profession has renewed interest for the younger generation.
One of the reasons that Millennials are attracted to the nursing profession are the stable earnings that nurses achieve. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurses earn salaries that range from $30,000 a year to more than $100,000 a year.
Nurses are also in high demand. There are jobs available in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, schools, and government. The nursing profession has seen low unemployment in comparison to many other industries. Nurses tend to stay at their jobs for years, even decades, and finding a new job tends to be easier than other career fields.
A high-demand career
These two facts may be why Millennials are becoming nurses and joining the nursing profession at such notable rates. Healthcare is an important issue in America, and people need to be able to access treatment for their ailments and health concerns. Nurses often provide the compassionate link between physician care and everyday wellness for patients.
The nursing profession seems to be attracting Millennials, and this is seen as a good thing. Baby Boomer nurses are retiring. If Millennials are not filling those vacancies, then the risk of a nursing shortage is possible.
Hospitals need to have a certain number of nurses in order to meet the demand of the patients who come into the hospital. The Baby Boomers who are retiring may also require nursing care. Nursing is a high-demand profession for many reasons. Millennials may see the value in the nursing profession, and this is why they are nearly twice as likely to become nurses as previous generations.
