American
Public Media’s radio program Marketplace recently broadcast a story
regarding the nursing shortage in the US, which is
predicted to worsen over the next ten years.
The shortage is expected for the following reasons:
- More than one third of RNs in the United States are over the age of 50 and will begin retiring or working less hours in the coming years.
- As these RNs retire, there are not enough new RNs to fill the open positions.
- The cost of training new RNs is going up. Many RNs graduate with over $70,000 of debt, which has dissuaded some students from pursuing a career as an RN. This has also led some US lawmakers to consider government grants for nursing students.
- By 2025 nearly 70 million Americans will be over the age of 65 and many will have chronic illnesses which will likely create more demand for RNs in the United States.
- Many more Americans have access to healthcare under the Affordable Care Act (also called Obamacare); this too will cause more demand for medical treatment and the need for RNs.
The
US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of RNs
will grow
16% from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for other
occupations. Job opportunities for RNs
are expected to be good.
May I know what's the impact for the EB3 nurses who are still waiting for their priority dates to be current? Will it delay or progress the application time? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteNo - it will not delay the EB3 nurses. Our hope is that as the US RN shortage grows, that the US government will allocate more visas for nurses.
ReplyDeleteThank you MU Law.
ReplyDeleteOk
ReplyDeleteWhat are the chances of EB-2 approvals for USRNs this year (2017). - from a nurs here in the Philippines. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat are the chances of EB-2 approvals for USRNs this year (2017). - from a nurs here in the Philippines. :)
ReplyDelete