Amy Knowles, NYU College of Nursing: Excellent Job Prospects
March 18, 2009
Medpie.com: We are talking today with Amy Knowles, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions, NYU College of Nursing. Amy, health jobs are traditionally "recession-proof". Have you seen any decline in job offerings for nursing graduates or drop in pay offered?
Amy Knowles: On the contrary, we at NYU College of Nursing have seen an increase in job offerings for our baccalaureate nursing graduates who upon graduation take the NCLEX exam and obtain their RN license. I am proud to report that for the second year in a row, the NYU College of Nursing baccalaureate graduates make more money as a starting salary than any other major at NYU: Nursing, once again, had the highest starting salary at $68,700, followed by Telecommunications at $65,000.
Medpie.com: Healthcare has been called a growth industry. Do you think there is a healthcare bubble?
Amy Knowles: In relation to nursing I feel that there is not a healthcare bubble. We are in the midst of a nursing shortage in the US and it will continue for the foreseeable future. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing,: the United States is in the midst of a nursing shortage that is expected to intensify. The shortage of registered nurses (RNs) in the U.S. could reach as high as >500,000 by 2025, according to a report released by Dr. Peter Buerhaus and colleagues in March 2008.
Medpie.com: Has the troubled economy changed the type or quality of applicants you have seen for the upcoming year?
Amy Knowles: We are seeing an increase of second career changes applying to the College of Nursing for the 15 month accelerated program, a program for college graduates who have completed their science prerequisite courses before matriculation into the College. Of the second baccalaureate students we find that students coming from finance or corporate positions are seeking more meaningful careers. Also, as of late people who have been laid off from non-nursing positions, and always wanted to become a nurse are making the career change. The quality of the applicants remains high.
Medpie.com: Have you seen a return of former or retired nurses to the workforce?
Amy Knowles: We find that nurses are not retiring and more new nurses are entering the workforce.
Medpie.com: Why should a college student contemplate going to nursing school?
Amy Knowles: Overall, nursing is a rewarding profession with great job opportunities and the public's perception of nursing is excellent.
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