| Usually, part-time nursing students are those who are | | | | Second Career It's true that the momentous events of |
| interested in a nursing career but have other | | | | 9/11 disaster have triggered a rush for second career |
| responsibilities that interfere with their abilities to attend | | | | in nursing, because people want a job in which they |
| regular classes. Of late, there has been a good rise in | | | | can make a difference in others' lives. But while this |
| the number of part-time nursing students for a variety | | | | trend has more or less ebbed over time, the popular |
| of reasons. Looking at the overall scenario, it appears | | | | choice of nursing as second career continues to rise |
| that the looming specter of nursing shortage is the | | | | on account of projected shortage of nurses in the |
| common driving force behind large number of students | | | | coming decade.Helen Taggart, a professor of nursing |
| opting for part-time courses.As per February 2004 | | | | at 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 10 | | | | that impacts both the preparation of nurses and the |
| occupations that have the potential of the largest job | | | | ability to provide quality care in the region." In keeping |
| growth in the years 2002-2012. It bears recalling that | | | | with this daunting prospect, her association, the Coastal |
| RNs have listed among the top 10 growth occupations | | | | Georgia Nursing Consortium (CGNC) plans a news |
| in the past, but for the first time in recent history, RNs | | | | conference shortly to announce a special program on |
| occupy the top rank.BLS' 10-year projections are | | | | Nursing as a Second Career.In most cases where |
| widely used in career guidance and come in handy for | | | | aspirants have decided to opt for nursing as their |
| concerned institutes in planning education and training | | | | second career, it is seen that they are already |
| programs and also in studying long-range employment | | | | engaged in full-time jobs either in healthcare industry or |
| trends. Thus, the BLS' report that more than 2.9 million | | | | in a completely alien field. Such career choosers are |
| RNs will be employed in the year 2012, up 623,000 | | | | often reluctant to let go their employment and |
| from the nearly 2.3 million RNs employed in 2002 has | | | | therefore likely to opt as part-time nursing students.2. |
| meant that many aspirants have now decided to | | | | Admission 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 nurse | | | | matching availability of seats in nursing institutes. This |
| educators as a result of which nursing institutes are | | | | has meant that aspirants who would have otherwise |
| unable to increase seats in regular courses. Seen in | | | | gone for full-time courses, have to settle for part-time |
| this backdrop, let us examine some common indicators | | | | education in nursing. |
| behind the increase in part-time nursing students. 1. | | | | |