Have you ever thought about the role a nurse has among his clients? The role of a nurse is much more than helping clients when they are not feeling well. In 2007, 12 million nurses would be employed (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009). This is a large amount of nurses employed in the world. A nurse protects, promotes, optimizes health and capabilities, prevents disease or injury, alleviates suffering through treatment and diagnosis of the human response, and supports the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations (Amercian Nurses Association, 2012). A nurse stands for many good qualities, but why is there a huge shortage of nurses? The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is very concerned about the nursing shortage (Rosseter, 2011). The AACN is working to find different ways to address the nursing shortage (Rosseter, 2011). There are several countries that fear that the nursing shortage is growing rapidly. According to the World Health Organization, there has been a decrease in the number of students graduating from nursing schools in several countries (Honor Society of Nursing, 2001). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the nursing industry is expected to grow 22% by 2018 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009). Nursing is also expected to grow rapidly compared to other occupations (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009). The goal is to graduate more nurses to prevent the shortage from doubling. Nursing has always been a growing profession. Looking to the future, many see that there will be a shortage of nurses for various reasons. There are many different opinions as to why there is such a large shortage. Some believe that the shortag association...... middle of paper ......es: http://www.nursingworld.orgBureau of Labor Statistics. (2009, December). Handbook on employment prospects 2010-2020. Retrieved February 23, 2012, from Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/oso/ocos083.htmHonor Society of Nursing. (2001, July). Nurses for a healthier tomorrow. Retrieved February 23, 2012, from Nurse Source: http://nursesource.org/facts_shortage.htmlNursing Online Education Database. (2007, August 29). Online nursing education database. Retrieved February 23, 2012, from The Impending American Nursing Shortage: http://noed.org/library/features/the-impending-american-nursing-shortage Rosseter, R. (2011, July 15). American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Retrieved February 23, 2012, from Nursing Shortage: http://aacn.nche.eduWilliams, PM (2007, June 3). The United States faces a critical shortage of nursing resources. (R. Gotbaum, interviewer)