According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, there were 5,150 registered nurses in Alaska as of May 2007. The same report states that the annual mean wage for nurses in Alaska at that time was $70,300, which is an hourly mean wage of $33.80. This is significantly higher than the average wage across industries in Alaska in May of 2007, which was $45,770 annually, or $22.00 per hour.
Alaska nursing careers offer an exceptional opportunity to practice this rewarding health care career in the unique, exquisitely beautiful natural setting for which the State of Alaska is so well known. As Alaska’s population increases and people continue to live longer lives, the demand for nurses in Alaska will rise accordingly. Therefore, prospective nursing students considering Alaska nursing programs will find ample employment opportunities upon graduation.
According to the 2008-2009 Edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for registered nurses are expected to increase by 23% throughout the country by the year 2016. This would mean an additional 587,000 new registered nursing jobs will be available across the nation. The demand for nurses in Alaska can be expected to increase at a parallel rate.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics also notes that registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree, or who choose to advance their education to a graduate level, will enjoy significantly better employment prospects than registered nurses below the bachelor’s degree level. Therefore, students considering Alaska nursing programs may want to consider completing a program that confers a bachelor’s degree in nursing.