A series of posts from the publication suggested universities and colleges may be oversupplying nurses as experts continue to cite the provider shortage. According to the report, nurses have historically depended on job openings in hospitals, but in reality, the bulk of job openings may exist in skilled care centers, assisted living, home care and physician offices as the population ages.
Increasing pressure on cost will drive hospital patient stays down and direct more patients to private offices and outpatient settings, says the report, meaning nurses in need of work might look outside the hospital for opportunities. Nurses who want to be valuable in the coming years should also consider specializing in areas of growth, such as informatics, geriatrics, orthopedics, genetics and psychiatric settings, according to a Nurse Zone report.
Read the Minnesota Public Radio report on nurse supply and demand.
Read the Nurse Zone report on nurse specialties.
