Nursing programs strive to fill increasing job demand

Nurses make between $43,370 and $63,360 per year as cited by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, which, for Weber State University students completing the nursing program each year, means hourly wages between $20 and $30 upon graduating from the two-year program.

Jobs with the pay and security of nursing may be in greater demand given the current struggling of the U.S. economy and uncertain employment future.

"You always hear in the news about nursing shortages," said Lisa Nay, a 2005 graduate of the WSU nursing program. "The problem isn't that there aren't enough people wanting to become nurses, it's a lack of funding for the schools and instructor's salaries. They can only afford to put so many people through every year."

London Draper, master of science in nursing, (MSN), RN and associate professor of nursing at WSU, said he agreed with Nay, but also said that Utah has a unique situation because of the high number of students participating in the state's nursing programs. The space for nursing students to obtain practical working experience through clinical hours at local area hospitals is also limited.

"WSU's program is very cool," London said, "because after you get the prerequisites like your nutrition and microbiology done, and after the first year you can be an LPN [licensed practical nurse]. Then they can go on and finish their second year and get their RN."

Most nursing programs around the country are four-year bachelor programs; whereas WSU students accepted into the program who have completed the needed prerequisites, participate in a two-year program.

London said there were more than 400 applicants to the WSU nursing program last year, and that those applicants were vying for less than 100 spots.

"Other nursing programs across the country are struggling to get enough applicants," London said.

London also said IHC and other Utah medical companies are pushing to see more and more nurses finish their bachelor's of nursing degree.

Signing bonuses and increased pay for travel nurses, per diem scheduling, and agency nursing are tools used by hospitals and other health care institutions to entice Registered Nurses to work, and would-be nurses to become licensed.

BridgeStaffing.com lists travel nursing jobs with $500-$6,000 signing bonuses and free housing. Medical insurance, life insurance, travel reimbursement, and 401k programs are all included in the job.

Travel nursing requires nurses to go where the work is and to work the hours needed.

Nay said that in her job with Intermountain Healthcare at McKay-Dee Hospital, she is eligible for benefits by only working 24 hours per week.

Even so, those considering nursing should keep in mind that both the schooling and job involve needles, blood, fluids, medications, sickness and highly charged emotional situations.

London, who has worked in the medical industry for more than 20 years, agreed and said nurses may experience burnout if nursing was not what they expected. This burnout contributes to the continuing need for nurses.

Nay said doing shift work is probably the worst part of being a nurse for her because there is never a set schedule.

"You're always wondering if you'll get the days you want and need," Nay said.

Jaylynn Bryson also graduated from the WSU nursing program, has been a nurse for 12 years and currently works at McKay-Dee Hospital in the labor and delivery department. She agreed with Nay and said working graveyards and holidays is her least-favorite part of the job.

Both nurses said they knew early on in their lives that being a nurse was something they wanted to do.

Nay said she has always been a very compassionate person and that nursing was a field that appealed to her.

"I remember doing a report in second grade on what I wanted to do when I grew up," Nay said, "and I did it on nursing. I guess it stuck with me."

If jobs in the U.S. economy become more scarce, WSU students going to the university with the intent to acquire marketable skills may become more interested in nursing or other professions that are in high demand.