Nursing jobs abundant in Florida

The newly graduated in Florida who encountered the least difficulty finding employment broke down into the medical and educational fields, according to a state report cited by the Sun Sentinel.

Leaders in the Sunshine State have been emphasizing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) for the purpose of meeting workforce demands and needs. Among the top professions were radiology, nursing, education, transportation and logistics, and electronic engineering technology, states the report from the Florida Education Training and Placement Program. The report is based on data from 2009 and does not cite graduates who left the state or enrolled in graduate school.

Prospects for nursing jobs are strong with an average salary of nearly $57,000, but one challenge is gaining entry to a nursing program. As an example, Florida Atlantic University has 80 spaces for which as many as 1,000 applicants submit their candidacy.

Aspiring nurses' likelihood of gaining entry to a program climbed as community colleges and private schools have begun offering bachelor's degrees in nursing.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing jobs typically are acquired after completion of studies for a bachelor's degree, an associate's degree or a diploma from a recognized nursing program.