Historically, the nursing field offers a consistently positive job outlook, as there is usually a continuing shortage. Health care is the backbone of most communities, not only for its services, but also for the jobs it provides and for stimulating the economy. Jill Bernstein, author of “Changes in Health Care Financing and Organization,” says, “The health care sector is a critical component of the national and most regional and local economies in the United States” (4) . The field of nursing has suffered challenges due to the economic, social, and political downturn in the United States. Nonetheless, notable growth is still occurring and opportunities are available. This shows encouraging signs for new nursing graduates. The economy has created some challenges for the nursing field. With unemployment rates so inflated, many Americans have been left uninsured or underinsured. This directly affects those who work in healthcare. Bernstein, reported: "The American Hospital Association's 2009 survey of community hospitals found that 9 in 10 community hospitals had made cuts in response to economic concerns, including reducing staff, administrative expenses or reduction of services” (4). Bernstein added that doctors are seeing an increase in the number of patients with unpaid bills and a decrease in the number of patients (4). Both of these decrease the amount of money allocated to nurse pay, resulting in reduced hours, pay, or benefits. People without insurance coverage tend to postpone elective procedures or hold off on elective procedures until their economic situation improves. Specialists are seeing a decrease in the number of patients because often, co-payments and insurance deductibles are more expensive for middle of paper...... 10. (2010): PAGE. Premier Academic Research. Internet. Nov. 28 2011.&sid=7bf3df61-db98-43ef-8c91-38a5d7d9be11%40sessionmgr11&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGI2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=53436634>. “Leisure and fitness”. SAS. npnd Web. November 26, 2011.Sasfamily/recreation/index.html>.Rudman, Bill. “HIM and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.” AHIMA. 2009. Internet. November 10, 2011.Spring/ARRA.html>.U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Department of Health and Human Services. Vital Signs: State-Specific Obesity Prevalence in Adults – United States 2009, August 6, 2010. Web. November 21, 2011.Mm5930a4.htm?s_cid=mm5930a4_w>.