Is Nursing a Good Career? Why the Demand for Skilled Nurses Continues to Grow

Jun 25, 2026 | RN to BSN

Nurse standing by a hospital window, thoughtfully looking out into the distance.

Nursing ranks among the most stable and in-demand professions in the United States, and that demand shows no signs of slowing down. As healthcare systems expand and the population ages, the need for skilled, qualified nurses continues to grow across virtually every clinical setting.

So, is nursing a good career? The short answer is yes, and for those looking to maximize their opportunities, education is a key differentiator. While an RN designation opens the door to a rewarding profession, advancing to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) equips nurses with the critical thinking, leadership, and case management skills that today’s healthcare employers increasingly seek.

For working nurses ready to take that next step, programs like Nevada State University’s RN to BSN online program offer a flexible, accessible path to advancement, without stepping away from the bedside. Whether you’re an experienced RN looking to grow or someone exploring nursing as a career, understanding your educational options is the first step toward long-term success in this field.

Why Choose Nursing as a Career?

For compassionate individuals who are committed to purposeful work, nursing can be a compelling career choice, and for good reason.

A Career That Makes a Difference

As a nurse, the work you do daily has a positive impact on people’s lives. Whether you’re offering comfort to a patient in a vulnerable moment or advocating for a patient’s well-being when it matters most, you’ll get to enjoy the sense of deep personal fulfillment that comes with a career in nursing.

Strong Job Stability and Security

The demand for skilled nurses only continues to increase, offering a strong sense of job security for professionals in the field. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, the job outlook for RNs alone is expected to grow 5% between 2024 and 2034, which is faster than the national average for all occupations.

Variety of Career Paths

No matter where your interests lie, nursing offers a variety of potential career paths and specializations that you can pursue with the right education and training. From emergency care and pediatric care to labor and delivery, surgical care, and advanced practice, you can explore the niche that most interests you.

Understanding Nursing Demand and Growth

When it comes to demand and projected growth, nursing remains a solid career choice with a high level of job stability. In addition to BLS projections for an increased demand for RNs nationwide, there’s also a growing need for BSN-educated nurses. According to an AACN Fact Sheet updated in May 2026, “employers are expressing a strong preference for new nurses with baccalaureate education.”

Addressing the Nursing Shortage

Many factors have contributed to the increased demand for both RNs and BSN-educated nurses, including a nationwide nursing shortage that has become increasingly problematic since the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to data from the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis (NCHWA), a shortage of nearly 109,000 RNs and more than 245,900 licensed practical nurses (LPNs) is projected in the United States by 2038, and these shortages are expected to be worse in Nonmetropolitan areas.

This problem is compounded by the fact that many nurses are approaching retirement age, with one study finding that about one in five RNs in the United States is now age 65 or older.

With an increasing demand and a growing need for skilled nurses, now could be a great time to get into a career in nursing.

Salary Potential: What Can Nurses Earn?

The BLS states that the median annual salary for a registered nurse in the United States was $93,600 in 2024.

Factors That Influence Nursing Salaries

Of course, many factors can influence nursing salaries, including:

Education – Nurses with more education (such as a bachelor’s degree) may enjoy higher earning potential than nurses with an associate degree alone.
Experience – More experienced nurses may also see the potential for higher pay.
Location – Salaries tend to be higher in places with a higher cost of living, including metropolitan areas.
Specialty – Some nursing specializations (such as critical and emergency care) may pay more than others.

Is a BSN Worth It? The Long-Term Career Advantage

For many nurses, a BSN is worth the added time and investment in school for a number of reasons, including:

Expanded career opportunities. Many advanced roles in nursing (including leadership and management positions) require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree.
Increased earning potential. An ANA Nursing Resources Hub article reports that BSN-educated nurses make an average of $17,000 more each year than ADN-educated nurses.
Employer preference. A growing percentage of employers prefers to hire BSN-educated nurses over those with associate degrees alone.
Pathways to advanced practice. A BSN opens up opportunities to earn a graduate-level degree in nursing (such as a Master of Science in Nursing), which can create pathways to advanced practice.

How an RN to BSN Program Supports Career Growth

Although working as an RN can be very rewarding, nurses who want to set themselves up for more advancement opportunities (and the potential for higher pay) often choose to pursue a BSN.

Key Benefits of an RN to BSN Program

The right RN to BSN program offers a structured pathway for nurses who already hold unencumbered registered nursing licenses to earn their degrees efficiently and with added flexibility. Plus, some programs (including Nevada State University’s RN to BSN program) are even offered in a convenient online format that makes pursuing your degree easier while you continue to work as an RN.

The Personal Rewards of a Nursing Career

Working as a nurse is about more than collecting a paycheck. It’s more about making a difference in patients’ lives and knowing that the work you do every day has a positive impact.

Meaningful Patient Relationships

During your time as a nurse, you’ll have the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with patients and their families, especially as you interact with them and earn their trust.

Lifelong Learning and Growth

The field of nursing is anything but stagnant, with new advancements and technologies being developed all the time. As a nursing professional, there’s always something new to learn, and you can stay on top of the latest through ongoing education and professional development.

A Career With Purpose

If you’re looking for a career where you can enjoy a true sense of purpose and fulfillment in your everyday work, nursing can be a great choice for compassionate and caring individuals.

Challenges to Consider

Despite its many benefits, a career in nursing (like any career path) can come with some inherent challenges. Although nursing practice is extremely rewarding, it can be just as demanding on both a physical and mental level.

Nurses spend a great deal of time on their feet, often working long hours with high workloads. Meanwhile, because nurses see patients in various states of pain and suffering, the work can take an emotional toll in the form of long-term compassion fatigue. These are all potential challenges to think about if you’re considering a career in nursing.

Is Nursing a Good Career for You?

Ultimately, nursing could be a good fit for you if you’re compassionate, interested in a career in healthcare, and eager to make a difference in others’ lives. With plenty of opportunities for specialization and advancement, as well as steady projected demand and respectable pay, nursing remains an attractive career option for many individuals.

Take the Next Step in an RN-to-BSN Program

For those who are already working as licensed RNs, an RN to BSN degree program can be an excellent way to advance your education while building clinical, analytical, and management skills across a diverse range of healthcare settings.

Specifically, Nevada State University’s Online RN to BSN program offers the flexibility of an online learning format with a career-ready, CCNE-accredited curriculum that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of modern nursing practice.

Learn more about our RN to BSN online program, including program requirements and curriculum details, by getting in touch with our friendly team. Ready to apply? You can get started with your application here.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have questions about a career in nursing, we’ve got answers!

Is nursing a good career long-term?

While there’s no universal answer to this question, nursing can be a great long-term career option for compassionate individuals who are committed to making a difference in the lives of others. Not only do careers in nursing offer high job security, but they also come with competitive pay and room for advancement.

Why choose nursing as a career?

A high demand, job security, and ability to specialize are a few common options to choose nursing as a career. Likewise, nursing can be an ideal path for those who want a purpose-driven career that involves helping others.

Is nursing a good job for work-life balance?

This can vary depending on your specific role. It is not uncommon for nurses to work long hours (often 12 hours per shift) with unconventional schedules, which can affect work-life balance. However, some nursing roles (such as those in outpatient clinics, telehealth, or occupational health) may offer more traditional schedules.