In a time of lingering uncertainty in the job market, few careers have seen as much prolonged strength as nursing.

In Hawaii's clinics, hospitals and long-term care facilities, the demand for skilled nurses remains high, making it critical that in-state educational institutions help fill this need.

In its most recent jobs outlook, the U.S. Department of Labor estimated that the employment of registered nurses is expected to grow by 22 percent from 2008 to 2018, outpacing the average for all other occupations.

In Hawaii, nursing schools are expanding to accommodate this demand, giving local nurses the chance to receive a top-notch education right at home.

It is important that schools encourage nurses to be more than just “;in demand.”; Hawaii's nursing graduates must foster critical-thinking skills and be trained on the newest equipment, making them relevant in today's demanding health care environment.

They must also be trained to understand complex issues, such as preventive and geriatric care and emerging treatments and medicines.

Most important, schools must prepare graduates for real-world challenges with innovative solutions, such as high-tech simulation labs designed to give students more hands-on training.

“;In Hawaii our hospitals are really maxed out in clinical time,”; said Christi Keliipio, MSN, a doctoral student at the University of Phoenix who teaches several health and nursing classes and is also the director of Perioperative Nursing at Kapiolani Medical Center at Pali Momi. “;In nursing schools, there has been a decrease in the number of hours that students are at the bedside in diploma study.”;

Immersive nursing simulation labs, which are growing in use by educational institutions in Hawaii, help ease this strain on hospitals by providing this much-needed clinical time. In the labs, designed to mimic a hospital setting, interactive mannequins serve as patients for up to a quarter of all clinical training.

Meeting the needs of neighbor-island nursing students and health care providers is also critical in allowing Hawaii's exceptional nurses to remain in their home communities.

Most recently, to provide classes to three Bachelor of Science in Nursing students in Hilo, faculty from the University of Phoenix made weekly trips from Honolulu.

“;It definitely worked with my schedule really well, and that was the one thing I needed to get going on my next-level career,”; said Marzie Valdez, a licensed practical nurse at Hilo Medical Center who graduated in January from the Big Island program. “;That Registered Nurse title will get me onto the floors with a more challenging scope than what I have now.”;

As we celebrate National Nursing Week in May, we remain committed to emphasizing a forward-thinking curriculum — along with flexible learning and updated facilities — to better prepare local nurses to serve Hawaii's pressing and changing health care needs. We honor the spirit and determination of all nurses who help improve the health and quality of life for those in need.