Nursing Employment Potential

Employment of Registered Nurses is projected to grow 19 percent from 2012 to 2022.  Employment of Licensed Practical Nurses is projected to grow 25 percent from 2012 to 2022, both much faster than the average for all occupations.

Growth will occur for a number of reasons. Demand for healthcare services will increase because of the aging population, since older people typically have more medical problems than younger people.  The financial pressure on hospitals to discharge patients as soon as possible may result in more people admitted to long-term care facilities, outpatient care centers, and greater need for home healthcare. Growth is also expected to be faster than average in outpatient care centers where patients do not stay overnight, such as those that provide same-day chemotherapy, rehabilitation, and surgery.

RN’s and LPN’s work in variety of industries including:

• Long-term care nursing facilities.
• Hospitals.
• Physician offices.
• Home health care.
• Residential care services.

Wages in the state of Kansas:
 
LPN
Average wage = $55,540
Entry level = $44,990
Experienced = $60,840

RN
Average wage = $75,780
Entry level = $59,470
Experienced = $84,500

For additional information, visit Kansas Labor Information Center for local wage information or U.S. Department of labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupation Handbook for national wage information.