At a time when many Americans wake up to read about healthcare news in the headlines, careers in the sector are evolving into new roles. The responsibilities of a nurse often require a large reserve of technical skills, the ability to think quickly and decisively and an attitude that views health as a lifestyle choice.

Sunday, November 8 marked the beginning of National Nurse Practitioner Week, a commemoration begun by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) to recognize the role that nurse practitioners play in delivering personalized care to the U.S. population.

AANP points to the shortage of primary care providers, a contentious topic in the current healthcare reform debate, to emphasize the ways that nurse practitioners bring primary care to patients throughout the country.

Barabara Malloy, a pre-anesthesia nurse practitioner at Clearfield Hospital in Pennsylvania, told the news source, "There is still a growing need for healthcare providers, especially in rural areas throughout this country and beyond." She added, "The growth of knowledge, skill and professionalism has been one of the most fulfilling adventures of my career."

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects that the employment of registered nurses will grow about 23% until 2016, which is a much faster growth rate than the average for all jobs.