WAKE COUNTY, N.C. – The American Association of Colleges of Nursing says the United States is well on its way to a nursing shortage.

• Connie Joyal finished nursing school at Wake Tech and is ready to take on the field
• A nursing shortage is expected in the next few years.
• The need for nurses is expected to grow 15 percent through 2026. 

Although there are expected to be more than three million nursing jobs available over the next decade, the supply of nurses may not meet the demand.

One new nurse, a Wake County mom who just received her pin from Wake Tech, says she’s ready to meet the growing need.

After seven years of working full-time on nursing school and taking care of her daughters, Connie Joyal pushed through.

Joyal is now employed at UNC Rex Hospital.

"This is really happening, like I really did it. I don't think it has fully sunk in yet," said Joyal. "I think what I love most is, even though you are dealing with very critical patients and you are the one, as the nurse, who is responsible for keeping them alive basically, and some are more critical than others, but you work so closely with the families, so it is just a different experience than any other I have had."

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the need for nurses is expected to grow 15 percent between now and 2026, compared to the average of seven percent for other jobs.