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Baltimore Nurse Credits ACA With Rapid Job Growth In Nursing Field

In an article titled, "Nursing Job Outlook Sunny as Experts Project Need for More Than One Million New Nurses by 2022," The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation discusses how these projections are very encouraging for nursing graduates, and those seeking to enter this field, as they "have one of the hottest degrees there is." There will be no shortage of different avenues to take with one's degree; discovernursing.com lists over 100 specialties to choose from in the nursing profession.

BAL-Nursing
(Photo Courtesy of Bimbola Akintade)

One specialty in nursing is gerontology, a sub-field that specializes in working with older adults. Bimbola Akintade, Specialty Director of the Adult Gerontology, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist Program at the University of Maryland School of Nursing and also maintains a clinical practice as an acute care nurse practitioner in the Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Akintade offers some expert advice on how to decipher which career path best suits your goals.

What are your thoughts on employment opportunities in the medical field?

"Working in the medical field provides opportunities that maintain professional employment while providing rewarding care and services to patients and their families. I believe that due to the introduction of the Affordable Care Act, there are many opportunities available for individuals interested in working in the medical field."

How has your educational background attributed to your career success?

"My education has provided me the tools necessary to perform at a very high level as a faculty member, specialty director, mentor and also a practicing clinician. My experiences as a student and a faculty member have provided me with a unique perspective and very good balance with student mentorship. I can help direct students based on my previous experiences and first-hand knowledge of what it takes to be successful."

What advice can you offer others looking to go into nursing or health administration?

"Based on my knowledge of the benefits of working as either a nurse or health care administrator, I encourage individuals to consider the medical field as a whole. The benefits of nursing include personal fulfillment, many specializations to choose from, job security and competitive salaries. Health care administration provides a high degree of job satisfaction, competitive salaries, career mobility, and job security."

Sara Lugardo is a professional writer out of Chicago, Illinois. She has a bachelor's in communication and is currently working on her master's. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

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