As is commonly recognized, the nations growing nursing shortage underscores a critical need for nurses. Nevertheless, the health care industrys challenge represents opportunity and flexibility for job seekers first entering the field, switching careers, or reentering the workplace. Written for the general reader, this work highlights this trend and provides an overview of the variety of emerging opportunities as the industry tries to adapt to this deficiency. Four nursing professionals offer one- or two-page profiles of 101 potential career paths. These snapshots include brief descriptions listing educational requirements; competencies and skills; compensation; outlook; and related Web sites and organizations. Scattered throughout are short question-and-answer essays gathered from interviews with practicing nurses in an array of specialties. A lengthier, more in-depth article on career exploration explains the how-tos of planning, self-assessment, style, industry trends, interviewing, and online resources. A handy appendix contains a guide to certification and other credential requirements of specialty organizations and boards. Though cursory, this addition to the nursing vocational literature reflects occupational expansion and trends in the profession. For career collections. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. General readers; lower- and upper-division undergraduates; two-year technical program students.
