If you are thinking about becoming a nurse, but you are not 100% sure that this is the right career path for you, then you have come to the right place.
As well as there being a huge demand for nurses in the United States and in fact worldwide, this type of career offers a level of job satisfaction that is hard to find anywhere else.
From the flexibility of online studying to the ability to enter the workforce quickly to a varied and exciting daily routine, keep reading to discover ten reasons why you should pursue a career in nursing.
1. You can make a real difference
If you are looking for a rewarding career where you can make a real difference in people’s lives, then nursing could be the career for you. Whether you decide to pursue a hands-on patient role or you prefer to work behind the scenes, as you progress in your nursing career, you will have the opportunity to make real change in the health sector.
You may also choose to volunteer in your local community to promote public health and educate people on the importance of looking after their overall well-being.
2. You can study online
Not only are there academic nursing programs in every state of America and at least one nursing degree in each metropolitan area, but there are also a whole host of quality online nursing degree programs which allow you to study for your degree around your current work or family commitments.
For example, Carson-Newman University offers nursing degree programs that are 100% online. Plus, you have access to an experienced faculty of nurse practitioners so you can learn about the latest nursing practices without having to leave the comfort of your own home.
3. You can find financial aid
If you are worried about covering the cost of further education, there are two things that you should know. Firstly, online courses can save you a significant amount of money as you do not need to travel to a campus, give up your job or arrange any childcare. Secondly, there are many financial aid opportunities and scholarships which you can look into and which you may be eligible for.
Although some will only cover part of the cost of your studies, this can still make a big difference to how much debt you have to clear once you are qualified.
4. You can start working quickly
In terms of how long it will take you to qualify, this will, of course, be dependent on the type of degree that you choose to pursue. That being said, if you undergo a full-time course, either online or on-campus, you can expect to be able to complete your studies in 2-3 years, with some fast-track programs enabling you to qualify in just 24 months.
5. You will enjoy your job
If you are worried about the stresses associated with a career in nursing, you should know that this job actually has very high job satisfaction levels. In fact, according to a recent report, 85% of practicing nurses said they would still become a nurse if they had to do it again. Furthermore, according to another survey, 83% of nurses feel satisfied with their jobs, and two-thirds said they would encourage others to pursue a career in nursing.
6. Your working day will be varied
Not many people like the idea of a working day that follows the exact same pattern, as this can lead to both boredom and frustration. Fortunately, if you choose to become a nurse, no two days will ever be the same.
Not only will you get to interact with people from all walks of life, but you will also be met with new challenges each day that offers excitement and even an adrenaline rush for some people.
7. You will be respected
The healthcare industry is a well-respected one, and it doesn’t matter if you are starting off at the bottom or you choose to pursue further education before entering the field, you are guaranteed to be respected by both your peers and the wider community.
In fact, according to a 2018 survey by the Varkey Foundation, nurses rank as the sixth-most respected occupation in the world.
8. You will enjoy good pay and perks
Although not known for being the best-paid job in the world, there are so many opportunities for career growth once you enter the field of nursing, which can see your pay packet increase substantially. For example, the average salary for a nurse practitioner in the U.S is $114,510 per annum.
Furthermore, you can enjoy some great benefits, including paid time off, health insurance, dental and vision insurance, retirement contributions, and education funds.
9. You will work in a stable industry
You may be feeling worried about undertaking further education or pursuing a new career path in light of recent events, but you should know that the nursing sector is a very stable industry. In fact, according to BLS, between 2018 and 2028, the employment growth for registered nurses is 12%, and for qualified nurse practitioners, it is a whopping 28%.
There is also a great employment growth outlook for nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and licensed vocational nurses.
10. You can choose your own specialty
There are so many different areas of interest that you can choose to specialize and work in once you have decided that a career in nursing is for you. You could choose to work with infants as a midwife or neonatal nurse practitioner. Or you could look into anesthesiology or gerontology.
For those who really want to give something back to the local community that they serve, a career as a family nurse practitioner (FNP) is a great choice as you will be able to work with people of all ages, and your role will be highly focused around patients from underserved populations which can be incredibly rewarding.
As you can see from the above, there are multiple reasons why you should pursue a career in nursing, so the only thing left for you to decide is whether or not this is the job for you.
Still not sure? Why not look into online nursing degree programs and take it from there?