Qualified nurses can pursue a wide range of career paths and have the additional security of being in nationwide demand even during an economic slowdown. Rose Labriola, a chief nurse offer and a veteran in the field, said her father's advice that going into nursing means "I'd never be out of a job" still holds true for today's graduates. Across the country, around 8% of nursing posts currently remain unfilled, the Frederick News Post reported. Ms Labriola said the shortfall is partly down to older nurses reaching retirement age, while the increased range of careers open to women has inevitably slowed the flow of new nursing graduates. Nevertheless, she added, the career still has plenty to offer through its combination of diverse opportunities and rewarding work. "It's very self-rewarding to be a nurse," she commented. According to the Department of Labor, graduates who become registered nurses have the option to specialize in one or more area of care, such as perioperative nursing, as well as specific conditions, like diabetes or skin disorders. In 2006, there were around 2.5 million nursing jobs in the US. This is expected to grow by 23% in the decade to 2016.  |