Puzzling: Nurses Admired by the Public but Fewer are Entering the Profession

The nursing profession has long been highly regarded by the general public, as evidenced by the results of polls through the years which continue to show that, where respected and trusted professions are concerned, only teaching surpasses nursing in the public’s estimation. The public’s admiration for nurses, however, has not translated into higher numbers of individuals willing to enter the profession. A way must be found to parlay the high regard factor into a boost in the size of the nursing workforce.

It is also vital for the profession to figure out a way to attract a younger demographic. Every time I read or hear about the age of the nursing workforce I am astonished. In 2007 the average age of working nurses was 43.7. It is estimated that by 2012 half of us will be 50 or older. How in the world did this happen? Yes, I know about the lack of instructors and, as a result, the long wait lists for nursing school admission but, without a shred of any data to back me up, I would’ve thought there’d be more young blood coming in to at least balance out the gray-haired set.

Skewing that assumption on my part is the fact that students entering nursing school are no longer the fresh-faced 18-year-olds that were in the majority a few decades ago. Career changes are bringing older students into nursing programs and that does little to affect the average age in a positive way.

Most young people rarely have the opportunity to see hospital nurses in action. They may have an idea, in general terms, of what a nurse does but nothing concrete. So, while the idea of nursing may have some appeal to them in the abstract, most never go beyond that point to investigate the possibilities a nursing career might hold for them. Often their exposure to the profession is limited to what they see on TV in medical dramas, which, according to a recent study, does not affect their opinions of nursing negatively.

I believe in the positive power of TV because I am a product of the influence of TV medical dramas. I was a teenager—and obviously impressionable—when Dr. Kildare and Dr. Ben Casey came on the scene. Now it seems a bit shallow to admit but my watching those shows is the extent of my investigation into choosing a suitable career for myself. I sat in front of the TV every week, watched the drama unfold and said, "Well, that looks exciting. I guess I’ll be a nurse." Lucky for me, it turned out to be a good fit.

"As we move to the future, we must consider strategies that engage the public to move beyond high regard for nursing and into careers. Efforts to expand the capacity of nursing education programs and continued efforts aimed at increasing public awareness of the career advancement and salary opportunities in nursing are all important."

The statement above comes from a conclusion garnered from results of the Survey of the American Public about Nursing (Buerhaus, et.al. 2007). I would’ve liked some specific ideas for action spelled out and I’d also like to know what efforts to increase public awareness are now underway that, according to the ‘committee,’ need to be continued. I’d also like someone to explain to me how, if indeed public awareness increases interest and more people choose a nursing career, they will be educated. Let’s say increased interest occurs and the numbers of nursing school applications swell. Great! But, wouldn’t we still be burdened with the problems of not enough faculty, not enough clinical opportunities and long wait lists? How does increasing interest, therefore, solve anything? It seems like that old chicken and egg dilemma to me. It makes my head spin.

Would you recommend a nursing career to young people? Why? Why not?