According to the American Nurses Association, there are more than 3 million nurses nationwide; this number has more than doubled since 1980, and the employment rate for nurses has risen more than 10% during the same period.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that nursing careers are projected to grow much faster than most other professions in the years to come. The rapid growth is due to several factors, namely a sizable population of aging baby boomers and the expansion of U.S. healthcare coverage levels under the Affordable Care Act.
This nursing career portal will use data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( BLS), the American Association of College Nursing ( AACN) and the American Job Center Online ( O-Net) to explore salary growth, job outlook and educational/certification requirements, and other factors that pertain to the following nursing professions. Click on each Read More link to learn more about the nursing career:
| CAREER | MINIMUM DEGREE REQUIRED | CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS | MEAN SALARY (U.S., 2012) | READ MORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) | High school diploma | State certification exam | $25,620 | Read more about CNAs |
| Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) | LPN/LVN state certification program (one year) | State certification exam | $42,400 | Read more about LPNs/LVNs |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | Associate Degree in Nursing (2-3 years) | NCLEX exam, state RN license | $67,930 | Read more about RNs |
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) | Master of Science in Nursing | RN license, NP credentialing exam | $91,450 | Read more about NPs |
| Nurse Midwife (CNM) | Master of Science in Nursing | RN license, CNM credentialing exam | $91,070 | Read more about CNMs |
| Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | Master of Science in Nursing | RN license, CRNA credentialing exam | $154,390 | Read more about CRNAs |
| Nursing Instructor/Teacher | Master of Science or Doctorate of Nursing Practice | CNE credential | $68,640 | Read more about Nurse Instructors |