Nursing is a career that has been in high demand for years. As older generations of nurses begin to retire, opening up more jobs and requiring geriatric care, more nurses are needed to fill the shortage.
Being a nurse isn’t just about filling a gap, though, as there are many benefits that come with a career in nursing.
When you choose to pursue a career in nursing, you’ll not only have a rewarding career, but you’ll benefit from the numerous advantages that come with working in the healthcare industry.
Here are a few of the benefits you’ll see while working as a nurse:
1. Stable Career Outlook
Widely due to the nursing shortage, a career in nursing is stable and growing.
With the Bureau of Labor Statistics citing a predicted 9% job growth for RNs and a 45% job growth for NPs, there is very little chance that you will struggle to find a job opening no matter where in the country you live.
As the older generation of nurses begin to retire, their positions will need to be filled by incoming nurses.
There will also be a need for more geriatic nurses as Baby Boomers turn to nursing care facilities and grow older.
With the additional strain of Covid, the need for nurses has never been more apparent and it’s anticipated that it will be a long, long time before the need for nurses starts to drop.
2. High Salary
Nursing is one of the highest paying career fields and one of the highest paying associate’s degrees.
Even with only an associate’s degree and their license, registered nurses are amongst one of the top ten best paid professionals with an average salary of around $70,000.
Nurses with more education, such as a BSN, MSN, or DNP, can anticipate an even higher salary.
Depending on your specialty and where you choose to work, nurse salaries may be well over $115,000 annually.
Nurses that hold higher positions or have more specialty training can be expected to earn more, but even RNs and LPNs earn a considerable salary when compared to some other career fields.
3. Unlimited Career Opportunities
Nursing isn’t just working in a hospital with patients.
You can choose from a number of different specialties and workplace facilities as well as different locations.
If you have an affinity for travel, travel nursing may be a great decision!
If you find yourself extremely interested in midwifery, you can earn your certification as a nurse midwife!
Many people tend to think of nursing as just one thing, but there are so many different directions you can take your career.
With a specialty, you can choose to focus your career on an aspect of healthcare that truly interests you.
You can also return to school later on to learn a different specialty or increase your available job opportunities by completing an MSN or DNP.
4. Support for Furthering Your Education
Once you start working as a nurse, you aren’t trapped.
Many organizations will actively encourage and support a decision to return to school and further your education.
More and more healthcare institutions are requiring even RNs to hold a baccalaureate, so choosing to earn your BSN right away is highly recommended.
It isn’t the only way to do so, though.
Most universities will offer some form of RN to BSN program that you can apply for and follow.
These are incredibly common programs that facilitate the process of earning your bachelor’s degree and build on your experience as an RN.
Even if you have spent a few years working as an RN and have since left school, RN to BSN programs make it easier and possible for nurses to earn their bachelor’s degree.
Other programs such as BSN to MSN or BSN to DNP can also be completed through many universities.
If at any point in your career you decide to further your education, you won’t be on your own as many educational facilities and even healthcare workplaces will support you.
5. Well-Respected Career
Nurses remain one of the most well-respected careers, ranking even higher than medical doctors and school teachers.
The respect that nurses are given is well deserved as well, as nurses do a lot of difficult work everyday.
Choosing to pursue a career in nursing means joining a very well-respected field and working with many honest, ethical people as well.
You can be proud of the work you do and the field you work in as nursing is often thought of as one of the most honest careers a person can choose.
6. Flexible Scheduling
You may not think of flexible scheduling when you think of nurses, but many healthcare facilities do offer their nurses more flexible options.
You may be able to choose from 8-, 10-, or 12-hour work shifts as well as when you work: during the night or at night.
Working longer shifts may not sound appealing, but it does reduce the number of days you work and can free up your week.
While you may still need to be on-call for some shifts or work over a weekend, nurses are offered a fair amount of flexibility in their shift schedules.
This makes it easier for parents and guardians and can help you arrange your work day to better fit that of your partner’s or make it easier to raise and care for children.
Join a Rewarding Career
Nurses work hard, but their job is rewarding and brings a sense of satisfaction that not many other career fields may offer.
As a nurse, you’ll face challenges and difficulties, but you’ll also have many joyous, exciting times.
Patient care can be both stressful and encouraging, but it isn’t a job that fits everyone which is why it’s important to know what you’re getting into beforehand.
When you choose to pursue a career in nursing, you’ll benefit from all six of the points above as well as many others.
Nursing is a career path that is full of benefits and advantages, so start your journey to becoming a nurse today and join a rewarding industry.