Across the United States, healthcare providers always face the risk of a nursing shortage. While periods of understaffing present challenges for hospitals, doctors’ offices, and other facilities, many aspiring healthcare professionals are taking advantage of available job opportunities. Prism Career Institute offers healthcare training programs in Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Here, we discuss how the surge in vacant nursing positions may impact the job hunt of our Practical Nursing students.
Increased Need for RNs, PNs, and VNs
While sometimes unpredictable, there are several reasons for the nursing shortages that facilities may encounter. These include:
- Routine turnover: Regular turnover is to be expected as nurses seek retirement or wish to change roles in the industry.
- Aging population: Seniors and older adults require a wide range of care, and in some areas, there are more patients than nurses to help treat them.
- Longer life expectancies: Humans are living longer as time goes on – for instance, the world’s population of people ages 60 and over will rise from 12% to 22% between 2015 and 2050. This translates to more job opportunities for practical nurses (PNs) and registered nurses (RNs) alike.
- Expanded healthcare coverage: Thanks to programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and state-sponsored alternatives, more and more beneficiaries have access to healthcare, increasing demand for nurses.
Additionally, nursing shortages commonly impact rural areas and larger cities, especially in densely populated areas of the country. Rural shortages can, unfortunately, lead to the cessation of certain services at hospitals and other facilities. Meanwhile, in congested areas of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, budgets can be constrained due to the influx of patients needing care, which can affect an organization’s bottom line and ability to hire new nurses. However, many local communities are beginning to realize these issues and pass healthcare initiatives to provide solutions to nursing shortages.
While these shortages impact day-to-day operations and the quality of patient care, unemployed registered nurses (RNs), practical nurses (PNs), and vocational nurses (VNs) could be in luck. For example, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts an increased need for PNs and VNs between 2023 to 2033, with over 54,000 job openings projected each year. In Pennsylvania, there are projected to be nearly 3,000 job openings for PNs per year from 2022 to 2032 and 1,390 per year in New Jersey.
In particular, Pennsylvania has been facing a nursing shortage since 2023, and over 14% of nursing roles are not filled. Department of Health (DOH) is creating incentive programs to attract more potential nursing candidates, including covering student loans and enhancing equal healthcare for women.
All Genders Welcome to Fill Nationwide Nursing Shortage
In the United States, most nurses have traditionally identified as female, but many male nurses have been joining the workforce. Nursing shortages aside, employers are welcoming all genders and diversities to the nursing profession. There are a variety of advantages to working on a healthcare team with members of mixed genders, including:
- Benefiting from the unique strengths of each individual
- Forming kinships with coworkers you might’ve never met otherwise
- Having an array of personalities to match patients to compatible nurses
- Hearing different perspectives on care approaches to ensure the patient receives a comprehensive treatment plan
Join the Proud Healthcare Profession of Nursing as a PN
Our healthcare system needs nurses for coordinating care, maintaining hygiene, and helping patients with their daily needs. These healthcare professionals are employed throughout the whole healthcare system, including provider offices, hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and treatment centers. Joining the healthcare profession of nursing is needed more than ever, and there are unique opportunities for those seeking PN roles.
A practical nurse differs from RNs and VNs in several ways. PNs typically require a year of training and provide patient care such as taking vital signs, dressing wounds, and assisting with daily activities. PNs must pass the NCLEX-PN exam to become a licensed PN. RNs usually require four years of schooling with a degree and have broader responsibilities, such as creating care plans, administering medications, and performing diagnostic tests. VNs are very similar to PNs regarding duties and education, but the terminology of VN is typically utilized in California and Texas.
Some of the PN responsibilities you can expect include:
- Performing and recording vital signs
- Aiding patient care, such as eating, bathing, dressing, and medication management
- Recording updated information, such as medical records
- Assisting with wound care and recovery
- Evaluating symptoms and medical history
Is Our Practical Nursing Program Right for You?
Whether there’s a nursing shortage or not, practical nurses are integral to facilitating quality healthcare for patients. If you’re interested in a career as a practical nurse, take the first step and consider the accredited Practical Nursing program at Prism Career Institute. Designed to be completed in less than two years, this program is the first step for those wishing to pass their state board exams and obtain their license. Our students have the valuable opportunity to study with highly experienced faculty, with daytime or evening schedules offered at our locations in Cherry Hill, NJ, and Philadelphia, PA.
We make it easy to find our PN program requirements and apply online, and you can even take our healthcare career readiness quiz if you are still on the fence. For more information, contact an Admissions Representative today.