The demand for highly skilled, compassionate nurses is critically high, making it a career path worth exploring.
“Skilled nurses are essential now and, in the future, because they are critical to the functioning and sustainability of our healthcare system,” said Christi Glesmann, assistant dean of undergraduate health sciences. “Nurses serve as clinical decision-makers, patient advocates, educators and care coordinators in increasingly complex environments.”
As populations age, chronic conditions rise and care continues to shift beyond hospital walls, nurses are central to ensuring access, safety and quality across all settings.
“Perhaps most importantly, nursing offers a sense of purpose paired with professional growth. Nurses are trusted professionals who influence outcomes not only at the bedside but across organizations and systems,” Glesmann said. “That combination of impact, adaptability and opportunity makes nursing a powerful and enduring career choice.”
Types of Nursing Careers
Nursing offers diverse career opportunities that can provide stability, variety and professional growth.
“Nursing is a compelling career path because of its remarkable flexibility and longevity. Few professions offer as many practice options, specialties and career trajectories from direct patient care to leadership, education, informatics, public health, policy and more,” said Glesmann. “Nursing allows individuals to evolve professionally over time while remaining grounded in meaningful work that contributes to the health of individuals, families and communities.”
Nursing career opportunities include:
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
- Care Coordinator
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- Nurse Educator
- Nurse Executive
- Nurse Informaticist
- Public Health Nurse
- Registered Nurse (RN)
Nurses can also have specialty areas based on population or setting, such as pediatric nurses, geriatric nurses, oncology nurses, labor and delivery nurses, emergency room nurses, school nurses and surgical nurses.
Career Outlook for Nurses
A career in nursing means you’ll have employment opportunities. There is a demand for highly skilled, confident nurses and the projected growth for nursing careers is higher than average compared to all other careers.
Job availability is rarely a challenge for nurses, with unemployment rates remaining low, rarely exceeding 1.5%, according to The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average growth rate for nursing jobs is projected to be 5% now through 2034.
For licensed practical nurses, the growth rate is expected to be 3% through 2034.
“Practical Nurses are an essential and growing part of the workforce. With the ongoing nursing shortage, LPNs are being utilized in more diverse and meaningful ways than ever before,” said Shamra Lundeen, director of practical nursing. “LPNs bring strong foundational skills, adaptability and a focus on client-centered care, making them a key part of meeting the evolving needs of healthcare.”
The demand for nurses with advanced degrees is even greater. Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners are expected to grow by 35% through 2034.
There is also a demand for more nurse educators. As more nursing faculty reach retirement age, there are more opportunities for teaching positions. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, nursing schools are increasingly turning away qualified applications from bachelor’s programs due to a lack of faculty.
Salaries for Nurses
Salaries for nurses vary by geographic location, work environment, years of experience, education level and specialty area. The median salary for registered nurses in 2024 was $93,600 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
For nursing faculty positions, the median salary was $86,900 per year in 2023. Many nursing faculty continue to work as a nurse, increasing their salary potential.
Salaries typically increase for nurses with advanced degrees. For example, the median salary for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners was $132,050 per year in 2024.
Work Environments for Nurses
While you may envision a typical work environment for a nurse being a physician’s clinic or a hospital, nurses have opportunities to work in diverse environments.
Nurses can work in:
- Aesthetic clinics or spas
- Colleges and universities
- Corporate health
- Correctional facilities
- Government entities
- Home healthcare
- Hospice agencies
- Hospitals
- Long-term care facilities
- Outpatient care centers
- Physician’s offices
- Public health agencies
- Public and private elementary and secondary schools
- Research institutions
- Rehabilitation centers
- Senior care facilities
- Telehealth
- Urgent care centers
Nurses can also take on temporary assignments in hospitals or clinics in various locations filling gaps in staffing. Being a travel nurse allows you to explore different cities and towns while gaining experience working with diverse populations.
Nursing: A Career with Purpose
While nursing is an in-demand career path with strong job security and high earning potential, it’s also a rewarding profession that offers an opportunity to make a significant difference in people’s lives.
“Beyond the opportunities and stability, nursing offers something even more meaningful. It builds confidence in a way few careers can,” said Lundeen. “After completing nursing school and passing the NCLEX, there is a strong sense of pride in knowing you have the knowledge and skills to care for others safely and effectively. The ability to make a real difference in someone’s life, often during their most vulnerable moments, is what makes nursing such a powerful and compelling profession.”