It's no secret that the unemployment numbers are bleak. Competition for new and existing jobs is fierce, with many more qualified applicants than there are positions available. Many job positions that are available are requiring either a Bachelors or Masters Degree just to be accepted for an interview.

Of course, women as well as men are looking for jobs in this rough economy. A two-income family is a fact of life in today's society. Living from paycheck to paycheck isn't going to help make the situation easier, so both parents need to contribute to the financial needs of their family.

Having a job isn't the only requirement for these parents, though. Being able to balance the needs of their families and their careers is just as important as the money they earn. No parent wants to sacrifice their relationships with the spouses and children just for a paycheck.

That's why a degree in nursing can be a priceless resource for both parents as they look to walk a tightrope between their professional needs and their familial desires. A job in the profession of nursing is inherently flexible in a number of ways. Some nurses work a 9-to-5 job in a doctor's office, while others work on eight or twelve hour rotations around the clock in a hospital or clinic setting.

A nurse's salary provides a very reliable source of income for a family that needs financial stability. There is little need to worry about job security in the nursing profession, either. The demand for health care professional, even in bad economic times, remains predictably high.

In addition to being a reliable source, a nursing income is a very nice source of income for any family. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports that the median salary for a registered nurse if $62,000 on an annual basis. That's a lot of security for any family. For nurses who may not have a lot of experience and are therefore at the lower end of the earning spectrum, $40,000 is the lowest pay tier. The Bureau also reports that as a job sector, registered nurses' employment is expected to grow at a faster rate than the national average.

Online education is stepping up to help meet this growing need. Prospective nurses may attain different nursing degrees at online colleges, depending on what they want to accomplish. Some nurses who are new to the field may be working toward licensure as a registered nurse, while others who have already achieved their license may want to pursue a higher degree. If a student chooses, they can achieve an Associate degree in Nursing (ADN) in about two years, or a Bachelor's of Science Degree (BSN), which can take four years to complete. Additionally, a Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) is also available online for nurses who want to continue their education.