You At Your Best

52,000 Licensed nurses in Arkansas 3,280 Approximate number of nurses in nwA Nursing by the #'s That's 30% of health care employees Average distance nurses walk per shift 4-5 miLeS Time spent by nurses standing on their feet in a typical workday 12 + HOuRS 200,000 New registered nurse positions created each year from 2016-2026 number of the nation's registered nurses who hold a mASteR'S DegRee 17.1% 6 nuRSeS for every 1K ReSiDentS in NWA 9 nuRSeS for every 1K ReSiDentS nationwide By KARen RiCe yOu At yOuR BeSt The demand for qualified, talented nurses is great and expected to grow in the years to come. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than half a million nurses are expected to retire by 2022. Couple that with an existing nursing shortage, and the BLS projects a need for 1.1 million registered nurses in the near future. There are 52,000 licensed nurses in Arkansas, approximately 3,280 in Northwest Arkansas. That's 30 percent of health care employees and represents just six nurses for every 1,000 residents in Northwest Arkansas. Nationwide, there are nine nurses for every 1,000 residents. The demand for registered nurses is expected to grow by 15% between 2018 and 2028. That's more than double the average growth estimate for all occupations. 200,000 new registered nurse positions will be created each year from 2016- 2026. The ongoing global pandemic has increased demand for nurses even more and highlighted how essential these workers really are. Many factors are contributing to the nursing shortage, including an increasingly large aging population that will require more and more nurses to meet its health care needs. In the United States, the Affordable Care Act, which was passed in 2010, increased access to health care for millions of people across the country, thereby creating a greater need for nurses and other health care professionals. In addition, a greater emphasis on preventive care in this country compels more people to visit their physicians even when they're otherwise feeling healthy. As more people prioritize preventive care, the need for more nurses will continue to increase. New nurses or seasoned applicants ready for something a little different may appreciate the growth potential in a variety of in-demand specialties. • Geriatric nurse: The population of senior citizens is expected to increase by 75 percent between 2010 and 2030, according to Husson University Online. Many nurses have no geriatric training, making a career in geriatric nursing a viable option - and one that can provide for quality care for the aging population. • Cardiac nurse: The World Health Organization reports that heart disease is the leading cause of death across the globe. So it should come as no surprise that the demand for nurses with a specialty in cardiac health is growing. Cardiac nurses can advise about preventing heart disease and assist in surgical procedures. • Certified nursing anesthetist: This interesting career option involves nursing and anesthesia. A certified nurse anesthetist administers anesthesia to patients under the supervision of an anesthesiologist. These nurses work closely with doctors in various fields. • Nursing midwife: In this specialty, nurses deliver babies and provide health care to pregnant patients. They also are instrumental in offering prenatal and postnatal care. • Critical care nurse: Critical care nurses are especially educated and trained for emergency situations. They are called on to tend to serious wounds and monitor life- support systems. • Family nurse practitioner: An individual who becomes an FNP is trained in primary care health services for people of all ages. The duties of an FNP are similar to a primary care physician in diagnosing and treating illnesses, providing physical exams and prescribing medications. The opportunities in nursing are endless. Individuals have many options when they decide to become a nurse, and many fields that fall under the nursing umbrella are experiencing a shortage. Rising demand Did you know? National Nurses Week is celebrated each year in the United States. The American Nurses Association notes that the week begins each year on May 6 and ends on May 12, which coincides with International Nurses Day, a global celebration designed to highlight and celebrate the contributions nurses make to society. May 12 also marks the birthday of Florence Nightingale, an influential 19th century British nurse who many consider the founder of modern nursing. Student nurses and school nurses are honored during National Nurses Week celebrations in the United States. Celebrations honoring nurses across the globe take on greater meaning in 2021 as the world continues to confront the COVID-19 pandemic, during which more than 1,500 nurses have lost their lives from the virus while countless others have contracted it before eventually returning to work to continue helping those in need. This year, individuals, community leaders and privately held businesses can come together during National Nurses Week to celebrate the important work nurses do and the bravery they've shown while confronting one of the most devastating pandemics in history. for nurses 6 | yOu at yOur Best | yOuatyOurBest.NWaONliNe.cOM May - Best Nurses | suNday, april 25, 2021

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