While trying times have limited opportunity in most job markets, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, especially in the health care industry.

Many young people are in school studying to fill a void in that industry, which is nursing. Even with that void, it's hard for many graduates to get nursing jobs now, but they shouldn't get discouraged.

This EITC student is learning the ropes of nursing, primed for a promising career in the health industry.

For years, young people have been told about a nursing shortage, and encouraged to educate in that field.

Now, few hospitals across the country are hiring nurses.

EIRMC has no openings, but says for those who aspire, there's much hope.

Elizabeth Later, Associate Chief Nursing Officer: "Don't give up that dream of being a nurse just because of what's going on today."

In fact, what's going on today is nothing like what will happen tomorrow.

The U.S. Department of Labor believes that by 2020, there will be a need for an extra one million nurses. That's due to our aging population, and the aging population within the nurse workforce.

Wendy Andersen, EIRMC's HR recruitment manager: "The nursing shortage is not going away anytime soon, so we still want to encourage students that the nursing profession is great."

But what's happening now is that hospitals all over are tightening their financial belts, and are seeing lower vacancy rates. While EIRMC has 200 inpatients today, there were about 100 one day in January -- a month when, for example, just 4 of 29 beds in ICU were occupied. That's a four year low.

Less outdoor travel means less traumatic injuries, and smaller wallets for some means people are holding off on medical operations.

But that shouldn't discourage those for a strong desire to one day become a nurse.

Elizabeth Later: "Our fear is that this is going to make the nursing shortage worse because people will say hospitals aren't hiring, the hospital shortage must be over."

Again, these issues are happening at hospitals all over. Wendy Andersen says the hospital is maintaining its relationships with schools, so nursing graduates should keep their heads up because tough times will pass and nurses will be in great need once again.