Nurses are the bedrock of any hospital staff, and there was already a shortage before the pandemic. Health systems of all sizes shut down beds because of the pandemic, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities for nurses.

Nurses are essential to the health care system and play a vital role in patient care. They are the largest group of health care professionals in the United States and work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and community health centers.

The nursing profession is expected to grow by 16 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. The aging baby-boom population will require more medical care as they live longer and have more chronic conditions.