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.