The role of a nurse in the healthcare system can never be understated. This profession alone is the single most popular and vastly expanding one within the field.
Nearly a century ago, hospitals or clinics didn’t consider nurses integral members of a healthcare team. But after years of lobbying, establishing, and professionally advancing — this career pathway has received professional respect in the industry. And now, contrary to popular belief, nurses’ responsibilities and duties aren’t limited to patient bedside care. Instead, they must also assist doctors or other healthcare workers in diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases. Additionally, they’re often the direct point of contact between patients and families and are primarily responsible for counseling and educating them.
The American Nurses Association lists patient advocacy as one of its nursing pillars. It is therefore given immense importance in patient care. Nurses play a vital role in advocating for their patients and ensuring they can meet their needs. And so, as a nurse, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to impact someone’s life.
However, that’s not the only reason you should consider opting for this profession. Here are seven more reasons why studying to become a nurse is well worth the hard work and determination.
- Increasing demand
If you want to make a wise career choice, choosing a profession that’s likely to stay in high demand for the next few decades is best. Since modern medicine has improved the quality of life and found contemporary solutions to chronic illnesses, more people will live up to an older age. Therefore, nurses and caregivers are needed to take care of them and meet the healthcare system’s demands.
More importantly, having advanced degrees like an MSN in nursing education can make you even more eligible for several other corporate or leadership roles.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics states that employment opportunities for registered nurses are likely to grow by 6% from now until 2031. And so, if you’re thinking of entering this profession, you’ll have an excellent job outlook.
- Make a difference
Although several professions exist across various industries, not many can provide you with the opportunity to make a real-world difference. But when it comes to nursing, you don’t just perform your job; instead, you help dispense comfort, care, and compassion to your patients. Apart from physically treating an injury or illness, being empathetic and compassionate towards your patient can go a long way in accelerating their recovery.
You can also educate or raise awareness about prevailing health concerns within a community and prevent disease incidences from occurring in the first place. Reducing the risk of disease exposure can help ease the healthcare burden and create stronger communities.
- Lucrative salaries
Nurses are in a unique position to earn lucrative salaries while in managerial positions and with more flexible work hours. Although they have the potential to make excellent incomes, salaries primarily depend on factors like qualification, years of experience, job title, area of specialization, and location.
For instance, nurses with advanced degrees such as a master’s or a doctorate command higher salary packages and better job benefits. Similarly, those nurses specializing in critical care tend to earn more since their work is more high-risk and requires particular skills and knowledge.
Regarding location, hospitals or clinics in urban areas often offer better-paying jobs since they’re well-funded. Therefore, you must consider all these factors when entering the nursing career path.
- Diverse specialties
One of the best parts about the nursing profession is the diverse range of specialization fields the industry has to offer. If you’re interested in exploring different areas of healthcare and want a chance to work with varying populations, this is the right career choice for you.
By keeping your personal and professional interests in mind, you can opt for a specialization that perfectly aligns with your goals. This way, you’ll be more dedicated to your work and be passionate about what you do. Additionally, specializing in a particular area requires you to take on extra training and advance your education. Doing so qualifies you for more job opportunities and allows you to discover career paths you may never have considered.
- Respectable profession
Nurses have continued to rank among the top most respected professions globally for several consecutive years. Their role in providing patient care, collaborating with healthcare teams, raising awareness, and advocating for patient rights makes them an essential profession of the 21st century. Since providing treatment, constantly staying vigilant, and offering emotional support require a high level of commitment and professionalism; it’s impossible to ignore the dedication of a nurse.
More importantly, to qualify for the job and get licensed, nurses must put in a significant amount of hours in getting educated and trained. Therefore, their advanced education, excellent skills, and loyalty toward their patients make them highly respected professionals worldwide.
- Several work settings
Despite what most people think, nurses can work in several settings within and outside the healthcare industry. For example, with the right experience and qualifications, nurses can be entrepreneurs, professors, policymakers, administrators, and even researchers. Instead of working in a hospital or clinic, you can get employed in schools, research labs, or even public health offices and build your career there.
You can also gain experiences from several work settings to see where you fit best and identify your area of interest. The diversity of each location and job can benefit your career growth and help build on your technical and soft skills.
Working in various settings also allows you to branch out your career while staying in the same field. Embracing change and continuously expanding your knowledge is the quickest way to climb a career ladder.
- Flexible schedule
Since working in healthcare can become draining and exhausting, adjusting your job hours while accommodating your personal needs is essential. Although your work hours may vary depending on your place of employment and specialization, they’re often better than that of doctors or other practitioners.
Compared to other healthcare workers, nurses generally have more flexible work schedules. As a nurse, you can choose to work part-time, full-time, or per-diem, allowing you to pick shifts as needed. Picking your hours can give you more liberty to pursue other goals, like advancing your education while still being employed as a nurse. A flexible work schedule lets nurses spend time with their loved ones and prevents burnout.
Conclusion
Although there are many endless professions, nursing is one of the top-tier. If you’re interested in building a career that remains in high demand, offers advancement opportunities, is flexible, and provides personal gratification—becoming a nurse might be for you.
