The number of available Milwaukee nursing jobs is expected to grow significantly during the near future.

According to WORKnet, there were an estimated 51,130 registered nurses in Milwaukee County during 2006, but that number is expected to reach 64,550 by 2016, an increase of 26.24 percent. That means there will be about 2,180 available jobs each year.

The average wage for a registered nurse in Milwaukee is $29 per hour, or $61,248 per year, with entry level nurses earning $23 per hour, or $47,544 per year, and experience nurses earning $33 per hour, or $68,101.

Registered nurses are responsible for assessing patient health problems and needs, developing and implementing nursing care plans and maintaining medical records. The primary job of a registered nurse is to care for ill, injured convalescent or disabled patients. They also may advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention.

In order to become a registered nurse, you must first obtain the proper license or registration. Registered nurses can include nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives and certified nurse anesthetists.

Although the Milwaukee area's healthcare industry as whole has slightly declined from last year, the industry has managed to add jobs on a monthly basis, despite the current economic recession.

During September, the Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis area's education and health services industry employed 142,900 workers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is up from 141,900 workers during August, but a .3 percent decrease from last year.

In addition, the majority of the top 10 high-growth occupations in Wisconsin are healthcare-related. Those occupations and their expected growth rates through 2016 include: home health aides by 40.8 percent, personal and home care aides by 38.6 percent, medical assistants by 36.5 percent, physician assistants by 33.3 percent, radiation therapists by 32.7 percent, dental hygienists by 31.2 percent and skin care specialists by 29.4 percent.

Labels: Milwaukee nursing jobs