Thinking About going into Nursing? Now’s the Time…
With a surplus of sandy beaches, year-round outdoor activities and sunny days, it’s easy to see why people live in Florida. And with the largest population of residents 65 and older, growing by the day, it’s also easy to see why qualified nursing professionals are in high demand in the Sunshine State. In fact, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity predicts there will be close to 114,000 openings for RNs (registered nurses) in Florida through 2023. https://dailynurse.com/new-education-bill-nursing-shortage/
Filling the Gap
But meeting the demand for skilled nursing personnel is tougher than ever in many Florida counties. And healthcare employers are feeling the pain of a shortage of applicants to fill open positions for both RNs and LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurses). Some industry insiders speculate that the lack of applicant volume is due to a lack of accredited nursing programs in the Sunshine State. Which is likely the reason technical schools in Florida began lobbying state legislators. As a result, Florida House Bill 381 was drafted and is now under review in the Florida House of Representatives. The bill seeks to “authorize school district career centers to conduct certain associate degree nursing programs.” If passed, the bill could create more paths for students to become RNs. https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2019/381/BillText/Filed/PDF
Timing is Everything
When it comes to choosing your career path, it’s pretty sweet when the stars seem to align for you. So, if you’ve been thinking about pursuing a career in nursing, clearly the time is now and the place… the Sunshine State. Let’s recap some of the reasons why.
| 1. An estimated 114,000 new positions for RNs are predicted through 2023, making potential job opportunities plentiful. |
| 2. Many Florida hospitals and healthcare providers are offering substantial sign-up bonuses, moving expenses and other benefits like childcare and gym memberships to recruit qualified nursing staff. https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-south-pinellas/st-petersburg/hospitals-turn-to-five-figure-bonuses-and-other-perks-to-attract-nurses |
| 3. The average salary for an RN in Florida is over $64K!! |
| 4. Did we mention sandy beaches, year-round outdoor activities and sunshine to spare? |
One of the best reasons for choosing a career in nursing is the feeling you’ll get from touching lives and helping people for a living. But it’s also pretty smart to choose an industry that is projected to need your specific skills for many years to come. If you’d like to learn more about a career in nursing, check out the programs at Daytona College. Located in beautiful Ormond Beach, FL, Daytona is the perfect place to enjoy all the Sunshine State has to offer, while you get hands-on nursing training. With a variety of Allied Health degree and certificate programs to choose from, students graduate prepared to take the NCLEX-RN exam, and launch successful careers in nursing. Contact us today to schedule a tour of our campus.