There are countless reasons to pursue a nursing career. It is a profession that offers rewarding and purposeful work, ample opportunities for career advancement, a wide array of specialized fields to choose from, the potential for high earnings, job stability, flexible scheduling, and much more. Nurses not only find personal fulfillment in their work but also enjoy the benefits that come with it throughout their entire careers.
If you are contemplating a career change, the accelerated BSN degree program might suit you. However, if you wish to know more about the benefits of nursing, you are in the right spot. In the following guide, we will shed light on why an increasing number of individuals are choosing nursing..
Top Reasons to Choose Nursing As Your Profession
Great Demand
A career as a registered nurse, particularly for individuals with a BSN degree, is in great demand nationwide, with the chance of staying so in the future. The reasons behind this are the aging population, the rise in chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes, and the shortage of resources for nursing education.
Consequently, there is a rapid growth in employment prospects for registered nurses. According to the BLS (United States Bureau of Labor Statistics), it is projected that the employment rate of RNs will increase by 6% between 2021 and 2031.
Meaningful Career
Finding work that is not only financially stable but also personally fulfilling is crucial. Thankfully, a nursing career can offer both aspects in abundance. While nursing can be physically challenging, it is also extremely rewarding due to the ability to make impactful decisions that contribute to the well-being and longevity of individuals. A nurse’s daily work directly influences the lives of those within your community. Whether you are providing bedside care or advocating for patients’ rights, nurses are dedicated to enhancing and preserving lives, a level of care that surpasses many other professional paths.
Hefty Salary
Nursing offers considerable earning potential, particularly with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Specific factors like the employer and practice state can influence your earnings, but the overall outlook is promising regarding financial stability. According to reports from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2021, RNs in the United States earned an average yearly salary of USD 77,600. Additionally, the BLS reports the yearly mean salary for registered nurses in Texas as USD 79,120.
Immense Stability
Nursing offers a stable career path that has endured for centuries and is expected to persist. The profession is resilient as compared to automation and outsourcing, as nurses hold an essential position within the medical sector. Even during economic downturns, their skills remain in great demand. Furthermore, as the generation of baby boomers grows older, the need for nurses will continue to grow, particularly in providing specialized care and support to older adults across various healthcare settings.
Flexible
The most significant benefit of a nursing career is its flexibility in terms of scheduling. Nurses have the opportunity to choose from various work arrangements, including part-time, full-time, or on-demand job positions, depending on their employer and preferred specialty.
While the conventional work schedule for many individuals involves eight-hour shifts, five days a week, nurses in large healthcare facilities or hospitals often work twelve hour shifts, 3 days/nights per week. It is worth noting that nursing roles are also available that adhere to the traditional eight-hour workday, five days a week. This flexibility allows nurses to find a schedule that suits their lifestyle and preferences.
Diverse Career Options
Nursing offers diverse opportunities, allowing registered nurses to work in various environments and assume different roles. While some may prefer working in hospitals, providing direct bedside care, others can apply their skills and knowledge in alternative settings such as cruise ships, campsites, military bases, medical transport, correctional facilities, courts of law, health companies, or medical disaster teams. The nursing profession provides over 90 specialty areas to choose from, including:
- Informatics nursing
- Travel nursing
- Holistic nursing
- Geriatric nursing
- Oncology nursing
- Pediatric nursing
- Critical care nursing
- Clinical nursing
By focusing on a specific nursing specialty, you can expect increased responsibilities, potentially higher salaries, and a sense of confidence in pursuing what you truly love to do.
Earn Respect
As a nurse, you will garner respect and trust from your community. Nursing has consistently held the highest rating for honesty and ethics over the past two decades. This remarkable achievement underscores the significance of the work nurses contribute to their surrounding communities.
Work in a Team
The collaborative and team-oriented nature of nursing is yet another compelling reason to pursue a career in this field. Nursing is not a solitary profession; instead, it involves continuous interaction and collaboration with fellow nurses and other healthcare professionals throughout each shift.
Working as a nurse means having a supportive team by your side, composed of individuals who genuinely care about your well-being and success. The close working relationships fostered among nurses often lead to strong bonds and meaningful friendships. If you value social connections and desire a career that allows you to form quality relationships, nursing is an excellent choice.
Enjoy Variety
Pursuing a career as a nurse provides an advantageous environment filled with great interest and various activities. Monotonous tasks are not part of the routine, as each day brings encounters with patients who present diverse health conditions and are at various life stages.
As a care nurse, your responsibilities can range from assisting younger patients in their post-surgery recovery to attending to an older patient with memory loss. This profession demands a wide range of skills tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual. If you thrive in a dynamic work setting where each day offers new tasks and opportunities, nursing is an excellent choice.
Begin Quickly
Nursing provides a quicker path to enter the profession compared to many other careers that involve lengthy transitions. If you hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or have completed a minimum of 60 non-nursing college credits, you can pursue an accelerated nursing degree. Opting for this accelerated route allows you to save time in comparison to the regular 4-year school program.
Endnote
Nursing offers many advantages, including personal fulfillment, opportunities for career growth, diverse professional paths, and the potential for high earnings. Additionally, the stability of the profession, the flexibility in scheduling, the collaborative team dynamic, the ever-changing nature of the work, the respect and trust from the community, and the possibility of starting your career quickly through accelerated programs all contribute to the attractiveness of nursing as a profession.