In February 2004, when the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its list of the 10 occupations with the largest projected job growth in the years 2002-2012, registered nurses (RNs) were at the top of the list. American Nurses Association President Barbara A. Blakeney noted at the time that it was not surprising given our aging population and the fact that many in the nursing workforce would be retiring soon. Those factors translate into projected job openings of more than 1.1 million due to both job growth and the net replacement of nurses.