People who are curious about the nursing profession often ask me the following question: “What are the benefits of becoming a nurse?” That’s a great question, and in all honesty, there are many wonderful reasons why you should consider nursing as a career option.
In this article and video, I’m going to give you nine reasons why you should consider becoming a nurse.
Nine Reasons to Become a Nurse
9. You’ll Learn Insider Secrets within the Healthcare Industry
You’ll know which doctors, hospitals, and floors have the best reputation, and which ones you should probably avoid. You’ll know which facilities have issues with bedbugs, MRSA infections, low patient satisfaction ratings, and so forth.
You’ll also have a better understanding of how the healthcare process works (from admission to discharge), which will be helpful when you or your loved ones need medical attention.
8. Nurses Earn a Competitive Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov), in 2016, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in the U.S. earned an average salary of $44.840; registered nurses earned an average salary of $72,180; and CRNAs earned the most, with an average salary coming in at $164,030. (See more information about nursing salaries).
As a nurse, you may also enjoy benefit packages from most employers, which may include perks such as vacation time, sick leave, healthcare benefits, and more.
7. Nursing Has Reasonable Education Requirements
If you want to become a nurse, you won’t have to spend your entire adult life in school, and for most people, that’s a very good thing! You can become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in as little as 12 months, or a registered nurse in as little as 2-4 years, depending on whether you choose to pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree program.
6. There are Many Nursing Specialties to Choose From
You can become a legal consultant, educator, researcher, floor nurse, flight nurse, school nurse, labor and delivery nurse, oncology nurse, travel nurse, and so much more. The possibilities are endless, and new areas of nursing continue to emerge.
You can switch nursing specialties every few years, or even leave the nursing profession and use your degree and experience to enter into business, management, and other areas.
5. The Nursing Profession has a Great Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 16 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations.”
Although some areas might have a competitive job market, there is always going to be a demand for nurses, and nursing is much more resistant to economic downturns when compared to many other professions.
4. Nursing Provides Opportunity for Career Growth
With nursing, you can advance to positions of leadership and become a charge nurse, nurse manager, etc. In addition, you can pursue advanced degrees to increase your income and scope of practice by becoming an advanced practice registered nurse, such as a nurse practitioner, CRNA, nurse midwife, or clinical nurse specialist.
The nursing profession offers tremendous opportunity for advancement.
3. Nursing Work Schedules are Extremely Diverse
As a nurse, you can work day shift or night shift. You can work full-time, part-time, or PRN (as needed). You can work weekdays or weekends. You can work a 9-5 job (Monday through Friday), or 12-hour shifts for 3-4 days per week.
I’ve worked with some nurses who would work seven 12-hour shifts in a row, but then they wouldn’t have to work for the next 2 1/2 weeks. Many facilities also allow self-scheduling, which allows even more convenience and flexibility in your work scheduling.
2. Nurses Learn Useful Skills and Knowledge
As a nurse, you’ll learn about diseases, medications, the latest technology in healthcare, and other nursing knowledge that can help you educate your patients and loved ones, and potentially even save lives.
For example, a registered nurse named Ryan Reade helped save the life of TV star Tarek El Moussa after watching the show ‘Flip or Flop.’ After noticing what appeared to be a mass on Tarek’s neck, she wrote to the show, advising him to seek medical attention. It turns out that Tarek had thyroid cancer, and he was able to seek treatment.
Nurses are heroes who use their skills and knowledge to save lives!
1. Nurses Get to Serve Others in all Stages of Life
Most people enter the nursing profession because they genuinely love to serve others. Nurses have the incredible privilege of serving people through all stages of life—from birth to death. When a woman learns that she is pregnant, nurses are there to care for the mother and her growing baby. When a woman delivers her baby, nurses are there to witness that child’s first breath and to provide newborn care.
Likewise, when a geriatric patient draws his or her last breath, nurses are there to provide comfort and to administer the last dose of medication that the patient will ever receive.
Nurses are blessed to be able to participate in those events and to serve patients in all phases of life.