Part-time Nursing Students Working Full-time Jobs

Usually, part-time nursing students are those who areSecond Career It's true that the momentous events of
interested in a nursing career but have other9/11 disaster have triggered a rush for second career
responsibilities that interfere with their abilities to attendin nursing, because people want a job in which they
regular classes. Of late, there has been a good rise incan make a difference in others' lives. But while this
the number of part-time nursing students for a varietytrend has more or less ebbed over time, the popular
of reasons. Looking at the overall scenario, it appearschoice of nursing as second career continues to rise
that the looming specter of nursing shortage is theon account of projected shortage of nurses in the
common driving force behind large number of studentscoming decade.Helen Taggart, a professor of nursing
opting for part-time courses.As per February 2004at Armstrong Atlantic State University, says, "A critical
projections by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics,shortage of nurses is creating a crisis in healthcare
registered nurses (RNs) will top the list of 10that impacts both the preparation of nurses and the
occupations that have the potential of the largest jobability to provide quality care in the region." In keeping
growth in the years 2002-2012. It bears recalling thatwith this daunting prospect, her association, the Coastal
RNs have listed among the top 10 growth occupationsGeorgia Nursing Consortium (CGNC) plans a news
in the past, but for the first time in recent history, RNsconference shortly to announce a special program on
occupy the top rank.BLS' 10-year projections areNursing as a Second Career.In most cases where
widely used in career guidance and come in handy foraspirants have decided to opt for nursing as their
concerned institutes in planning education and trainingsecond career, it is seen that they are already
programs and also in studying long-range employmentengaged in full-time jobs either in healthcare industry or
trends. Thus, the BLS' report that more than 2.9 millionin a completely alien field. Such career choosers are
RNs will be employed in the year 2012, up 623,000often reluctant to let go their employment and
from the nearly 2.3 million RNs employed in 2002 hastherefore likely to opt as part-time nursing students.2.
meant that many aspirants have now decided toAdmission Problem As noted above, the rising trend of
study and pursue a career in nursing.Unfortunately,requirement of qualified nurses has not translated into
there has not been commensurate increase in nursematching availability of seats in nursing institutes. This
educators as a result of which nursing institutes arehas meant that aspirants who would have otherwise
unable to increase seats in regular courses. Seen ingone for full-time courses, have to settle for part-time
this backdrop, let us examine some common indicatorseducation in nursing.
behind the increase in part-time nursing students. 1.