Some things are a given in life, such as taxes, chores and work. We all have bills, rent, mortgages and other expenses to cover, and we need employment to gain income to meet our financial obligations. For some, work is a means to an end – a responsibility to attend in order to pay for life. Yet for others, their career is a rewarding endeavor that brings mental, emotional and sometimes spiritual fulfillment on top of financial reward. Some people get satisfaction from closing a sale, while others may enjoy solving a bug in a software application. There are many career choices, so you’re bound to find something you enjoy.
And one career that can be incredibly rewarding is nursing. If you’re considering this as a career path, you should know a few things before researching the best ABSN programs in the US to embark upon your career. Let’s dig into them.
Nursing is Not for the Faint-hearted
Nursing suits those who are courageous, bold and have strong stomachs. Depending on the type of nursing you want to pursue, you may have to deal with some sticky situations, literally. As a nurse, you’ll be responsible for drawing blood, helping patients toilet, changing wound dressings and other tasks that will bring you into contact with bodily fluids. This means that you need to be resilient, have a strong stomach and show bravery. If this is no problem for you, nursing is an excellent career choice.
You’ll Be a Primary Caregiver to Patients
Being a nurse means being a primary caregiver to patients. You’ll be there to reassure them, administer medication, tend to their wounds and provide front-line health care to sick people. While doctors will develop treatment plans and prescribe medications, you’re the one that will attend to a patient’s needs while they’re in the hospital or another healthcare setting. If you’re comfortable with this, nursing is right for you.
You Can Work in Diverse Healthcare Settings
Once you’re a qualified nurse, you can work in various healthcare settings. Even within a hospital, you may have the opportunity to work across various wards. For instance, you could work in an emergency ward, tending to patients presenting with immediate and sometimes life-threatening injuries or conditions. Or, you could work on the fracture ward, helping people bend their broken limbs. Oncology is another type of ward where you’ll look after cancer patients. And that’s just within a hospital environment.
Nurses also work in various settings, such as community health centers, alcohol and drug withdrawal units and rehabilitation centers, or aged care. Nurses can also work in outreach roles, visiting patients in their homes to provide care. As you can see, a nursing qualification opens up many different places where you can work.
You’ll Need People’s Skills
As a nurse, you interact with people when they’re most vulnerable. When caring for people who are sick, have broken a bone, or are suffering from dementia or cancer, you must be empathetic, sympathetic, understanding, kind and patient. You’ll need to practice these skills every day. If you’re a good listener, naturally patient and caring, these soft skills will prove invaluable when working as a nurse.
You’ll Be in Demand
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for qualified registered nurses will grow 9% from 2020 to 2030. This is due to chronic health conditions in the community, such as obesity, diabetes and other health complications. Furthermore, as the baby boomer population ages, this cohort will require more hospital and aged care. The healthcare industry will need qualified and experienced nurses to care for this population. If you get qualified in the next few years, you’re guaranteed to be able to find work.
Good Salary and Benefits
Nurses earn a good wage, but they vary from state to state. The average salary for a full-time nurse in the USA is $82,750 per annum. This is a decent wage that should be able to provide a decent standard of living. However, some states pay more than others, with California paying the most and South Dakota paying the least. It’s worth researching what a nurse makes in your state, and depending on your lifestyle and stage, you may consider relocating to a state that pays more.
In addition to a good wage, nurses often get other workplace perks such as paid time off, paid sick leave, paid maternity leave, health and life insurance, paid professional development and training opportunities, retirement packages and tuition payments. These workplace perks make nursing a viable and practical career choice.
Job Stability
Unlike some other professions, nursing offers excellent job stability and security. As the country will always need qualified nurses, you should be able to find steady work throughout your career. Job security provides peace of mind and assists you when seeking finance to buy a house or car or afford your children’s childcare or school fees.
Nursing is a Respected Career Choice
Unlike some other professions, you will never hear anyone making snide remarks about nurses. Nurses are a valued profession with a high social standing, and you can rest assured that you won’t be embarrassed to mention what you do for a living during a social event. You will be respected by your friends, family, acquaintances and other people that you come across in life. Nurses are held in similar esteem to doctors, lawyers, accountants and other respected professions.
Also read: Eight Lucrative Career Choice for Nurses
In Conclusion
This helpful article has shared some key facts about becoming a nurse and why this career choice might suit you. From job security, being an in-demand profession, a wide variety of settings to work in and good pay and benefits, there are lots of reasons to consider becoming a registered nurse.
Hi, I’m the Founder and Developer of Paramedics World, a blog truly devoted to Paramedics. I am a Medical Lab Tech, a Web Developer and Bibliophiliac. My greatest hobby is to teach and motivate other peoples to do whatever they wanna do in life.