The field of healthcare is expanding rapidly, and nursing is one of the professions that is experiencing the highest level of growth. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of registered nurses is expected to increase by 19 percent from 2012 to 2022.

This is significantly faster than the average rate of increase for other occupations during this time, which is only 11 percent. Although all areas of nursing are expected to grow, openings offered by some types of employers are expected to increase faster than others.

Who is the Fastest Growing Nurse Employer?

The Department of Labor reports that the fastest growing nurse employer of all is the outpatient care center. Openings for nurses in outpatient care facilities are expected to increase by 34 percent from 2012 to 2022. Other employers that will experience an increase in job openings for nurses by 2022 include:

• Employment Services/ Staffing Agencies - 33 percent increase.

• Offices of Physicians - 25 percent increase.

• Nursing Care Facilities - 23 percent increase.

• General Medical and Surgical Hospitals - 23 percent increase.

• Home Healthcare Services - 23 percent increase.

Growth in the Staffing Industry

Staffing companies, such as Fastaff, are currently experiencing an unprecedented increase in openings. In fact, when it comes to anticipated growth, employment services/staffing agencies are surpassed only by outpatient care facilities. This means that staffing agencies are in high demand, and more people are finding travel nursing jobs through these services than ever before. Because there are so many job openings, something is available to meet the needs of virtually any nurse.

Some of the other benefits you can expect when working as a travel nurse include:

• Higher pay - Travel nurses receive premium pay for their services. In fact, Fastaff's top nurse earned more than $170,000 just in 2013.

• Benefits packages - Many staffing agencies offer benefits packages to travel nurses, which may include health insurance, retirement benefits and more.

• Flexibility - As a travel nurse, you can choose the assignments you take. Assignments vary in length, location and specialty.

• Travel and housing allowances - When you travel to complete an assignment, your staffing agency will typically pay your travel expenses. You may also receive a housing allowance to cover your housing expenses for the duration of the assignment.

• Opportunities for continuing education - Travel nurses often have access to continuing education opportunities that allow them to advance their careers and learn new skills.

When combined with the other benefits of travel nursing, the anticipated growth of staffing agencies only makes this career path more appealing to prospective nurses. To find out more about working as a travel nurse, contact Fastaff today.