Where will the majority of nurses be working in the coming years? The answer depends upon the ever-changing patient population and healthcare needs in the United States.

So, where will the majority of nurses be working in the coming years? The answer depends upon the ever-changing patient population and healthcare needs in the United States. These changes will directly affect 2.7 million nursing careers.

The Future of Nursing

The evolving patient population, which is impacted by the fact that people are living longer, has a major influence on nursing trends. In situations where the patient care needs are greatest, there are more nursing jobs.

The federal government’s health care reform, which targets lowering reimbursement for skilled medical care facilities, will result in fewer patients being admitted to the hospital. The only patients in the hospitals will be those who are critically ill.

Hospital Based Care

Traditionally, acute care hospitals employ the most nurses in the profession but that statistic is about to change.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, hospital-based nursing will only increase an estimated 17 percent by 2018, versus home-based nursing care that is projected to grow by a staggering 33 percent.

Nursing Homes

With people living longer, largely due to significant medical advances, there is a higher than usual demand for geriatric healthcare options. The healthcare needs for the growing elderly population in the United States has dramatically enhanced the employment opportunities for nurses in extended care facilities, nursing homes and on assisted living campuses.

Another facet of this nursing care specialty includes a significant increase in end-of-life and hospice care. Hospice care can be facility-based or segue into the growing need for effective and compassionate home health care. A growing number of patients make it known that their final wish is to remain at home during the last days of their life. This expanding nursing specialty allows that wish to be honored.

Home Health Care

Health insurance regulates every facet of a hospital admission. The trend in health care targets a shorter, if any, hospitalization. More terminally ill patients and their loved ones choose to remain in their own home through the final days of their lives.

Visiting nurses and those with specialized hospice and end-of-life care training are the key support system through this time. There has been a significant spike in nursing employment opportunities in this sector.

MD Offices

A physician’s office is no longer just a place to have a blood pressure checked or get a prescription refill written. It has become the hub of healthcare. More nurses are transitioning into this career specialty as doctors are performing an increasing number of procedures and intricate treatments in their offices.

Nurses are also key patient educators in the office setting. They teach patients about physical care, treatment needs, medications and a variety of other health care needs. There is a great deal of nursing documentation that goes along with such a position.

Where is Your Next Job?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an overall 22.2 percent increase in nursing jobs by 2018. The major health care trends for the future nursing jobs point towards geriatric, home health and outpatient-based care, including a clinic or physician's office. This is where the jobs of the future will be.