Those looking for nursing jobs in Arizona (http://azjobs.cancercenter.com) should see more positions available in the near future.

The U.S. Employment Index from eQuest increased from 101.81 to 102.03 during October, as a stronger-than-expected increase in job postings was somewhat offset by an increase in applicant traffic.

The healthcare industry experienced the largest increase in job postings over the month, while real estate reported the largest decrease. On a state-by-state basis, Idaho saw the largest rise in job postings, while California recorded the largest decline.

Industries that saw the largest increase in job postings:

1. Healthcare
2. Biotech
3. Retail
4. Consulting
5. Telecommunications
6. Energy
7. Pharmaceuticals
8. Computing
9. Environment
10. Advertising

Industries that reported the largest drop in job postings:

1. Real estate
2. Journalism
3. Distribution
4. Manufacturing
5. Construction
6. Tourism
7. Mining
8. Raw materials
9. Furniture
10. Paper

States that saw the largest increase in job postings:

1. Idaho
2. New Mexico
3. Arizona
4. District of Columbia
5. Virginia
6. Arkansas
7. Vermont
8. Iowa
9. New York
10. Washington

States that experienced the largest decrease in job postings:

1. California
2. South Carolina
3. Kentucky
4. Georgia
5. Florida
6. Michigan
7. Louisiana
8. Missouri
9. Mississippi
10. Alabama

A new round of federal funding will support thousands of nursing jobs in Arizona. Visit http://azjobs.cancercenter.com to find current openings.

The Department of Health and Human Services recently awarded $71.3 million in grants to organizations throughout the nation in an effort to create more nursing education, training, and diversity programs.

The programs will increase nursing education at all levels and prepare faculty members to teach nursing students. The grants are being funded as part of the Affordable Care Act – the healthcare law passed by Congress last year.

Organizations that support nursing jobs Arizona (Click here) are receiving a total of $1.16 million:

• Arizona Board of Regents – $985,424 for a nurse faculty loan program and $45,834 for advanced education nursing traineeship programs.
• Arizona State University – $74,016 for advanced education nursing traineeship programs and $27,000 for a nurse faculty loan program.
• Northern Arizona University – $24,065 for advanced education nursing traineeship programs.

The nurse faculty loan program grants will help registered nurses complete their graduate degrees and become qualified to teach. Nurses who choose to teach will be eligible for partial loan forgiveness.

The advanced education nursing traineeship grants will fund training programs for registered nurses enrolled in advanced programs, including nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse-midwives, nurse anesthetists, nurse administrators, nurse educators, and public health nurses.

“These awards reflect the critical role of nurses in our healthcare system, and our ongoing commitment to attract and retain highly-skilled nurses in the profession,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

If you’re considering nursing jobs in Arizona (Click here) among your future career options, you may want to check out what it takes to become a registered nurse.

Registered nurses are the largest occupation within the healthcare industry, accounting for about 2.6 million jobs nationwide. That means there are – and will be – plenty of employment opportunities for registered nursing jobs Arizona. Visit http://nursingjob.abrazohealth.com to see some openings.

The two most common educational paths to becoming a nurse include earning an Associate Degree in Nursing or earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Each of these degree options have their own requirements and advantages, so it’s best to choose based on the type of career that you want to pursue after you graduate.

It’s also important to keep in mind that these programs will vary based on the school you decide to attend. Many schools offer programs that include internships, clinical work, and help getting your license, while others offer more basic options.

An associate’s degree in nursing will teach you how to diagnose and treat patients, including everything from performing diagnostic tests and recording medical histories to administering medications and developing treatment plans.

In order to enter the program, which takes about two years to complete, you must have a high school degree or equivalent. You can expect to take classes in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, nutrition, health assessment, and adult patient care.

Students who pursue a Bachelor’s degree in nursing will learn more in-depth ways of managing and treating patients. You must have a high school diploma or equivalent in order to enter this program, which takes about four years to complete.

Students typically take classes in a variety of more advanced subjects, including biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, pathophysiology, clinical nursing theory, childcare, maternal and pediatric care, surgical nursing, mental health nursing, and nursing ethics.

Those preparing for Las Vegas nursing jobs at one local institution could soon be gravely effected by cost cutting measures.

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is currently facing significant budget cuts, and although the School of Nursing is one of the most successful programs on campus, it has become a target for cuts – or worse – elimination.

During 2009, 96 percent of the school’s nursing students passed the National Certification Licensure Examination, which is 7 percent higher than the national average. However, the program is being considered for cuts because it’s one of the more expensive academic programs at UNLV.

According to an article by the Las Vegas Sun, UNLV has identified the School of Nursing as one of the 20 most expensive programs, and therefore one of the most susceptible to budget cuts, in order to meet a 6.9 percent decrease in state funding for higher education.

Unfortunately, many less expensive programs have already been cut from the school. The nursing program currently has 200 undergraduate students, 150 master’s students and 30 doctorate candidates. The school operates on an annual budget of about $5 million.

The school has such high operating costs because of the clinical settings and a low student-faculty ratio, which is required for accreditation. However, the School of Nursing brings in about $1 million each year through research and educational grants.

Several options have been put on the table to help reduce costs and avoid cutting the program. The university president recently hosted a campus town hall meeting with students. Dean Carolyn Yucha also has been considering her options, one of which would be to close the school’s pediatric nurse practitioner master’s program, which only brings in about four applicants per year.

Although that move would only save about $120,000, the program is the only low-demand program at the school, and cutting other nursing programs would reduce enrollment during a time when the community desperately needs more nurses.

Another option would be to increase the cost of tuition. Nevada’s college and university system currently charges students the same tuition regardless of the academic field they choose, and moving to a system of differentiated tuition would better take into account the costs associated with specific programs.

Check out this video about the growth of UNLV’s School of Nursing:

When it comes to Pittsburgh nursing jobs, registered nursing is one of the most promising occupations.

According to Pennsylvania Workforce Development, registered nurses are considered a high priority occupation in the healthcare industry. Employment throughout the State of Pennsylvania is expected to grow from 121,150 workers during 2002 to 136,910 workers during 2012, accounting for a 13 percent increase and 4,111 available jobs each year.

Pittsburgh’s education and health services industry employed 237,100 workers during December 2009, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. Although this is a decrease from 238,000 workers during November, it is a .7 percent increase from December 2008.

The average annual wage for a registered nurse is $52,770, with the entry level wage averaging $38,290 per year and the experienced level wage averaging $60,000 per year. Registered nurses are responsible for observing patients, recording information, assisting physicians, administering medications and helping patients with rehabilitation efforts.

In order to become a registered nurse, most employers require a minimum of an associates degree. All registered nurses also must pass a national licensing examination. The top employers for registered nurses are: general medical and surgical hospitals, home healthcare services, nursing care facilities and offices of physicians.

State law technically dictates the tasks nurses are able to perform. However, as there are a variety of work settings a registered nurse can end up in, it’s more likely that the work environment will determine the day-to-day duties that will be performed.

The most popular settings for the occupation include:

• Hospital nurses – Provide bedside care, carry out medical regimens, and may supervise licensed practical nurses and nursing aides.
• Office nurses – Care for outpatients in physicians’ offices, clinics and emergency medical centers.
• Nursing home nurses – Develop treatment plans, supervise licensed practical nurses and nursing aides, complete paperwork and perform certain procedures for residents.
• Home health nurses – Provide periodic physician-prescribed services to patients living at home.
• Public health nurses – Work with individuals, groups and families to improve the overall health of communities, and may work with community leaders, teachers, patients and physicians.
• Occupational health or industrial nurses – Provide nursing care at work sites for employees, customers and others with minor injuries and illnesses.

Head nurses, nurse supervisors, nursing practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified registered nurse anesthetists and certified nurse midwives also are considered among the registered nursing occupation. The top related occupations are: emergency medical technician, occupational therapist, physical therapist and physician assistant.