5 Signs You Should Become a Registered Nurse
Thinking about a future in registered nursing? The nursing field can be fulfilling, but it isn't for everyone.
Most people associate registered nursing with images of smiling hospital workers feeding people, administering medicine, and making beds (see above). These images are accurate, but they only give you part of the picture. Registered Nursing can be anything but glamorous. They often times have to clean up bodily fluids and compel patients who don't understand their treatments to take medications, perform therapy, or even eat in order to nurse them back to health.
Before you apply to a registered nursing program, you may want to ask yourself if these 5 signs indicate you should become a registered nurse:
You genuinely care about people:
Although these experiences may turn some people away from nursing, they are paradoxically some of the most rewarding aspects of the job. As a registered nurse, you'll prove to yourself and to others that you are a caring person, willing to stick by those who need you no matter how difficult it is. Many nurses report that their work has made them more empathetic, moral, and compassionate people.
You need a flexible schedule and/or don't mind shift work:
Hospitals need nurses on duty 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, meaning that, in most cases they'll be happy to let you choose a shift that fits your schedule. Experience and seniority still play a role in shift selection, but flexibility can still be achieved if you are willing to adjust your schedule as well. A typical shift can last anywhere from 4 - 12 hours a day, depending on the facility and staffing levels.
You need to be able to work anywhere:
Unlike many professional fields, registered nurses can work anywhere in the country with minimal re-training or re-licensing requirements. This situation is ideal if you have relatives in multiple parts of the country, if your spouse's job requires you to move frequently, or if you just don't feel like staying in the same area for long periods of time.
You are good at math and science:
Comfort and kind words aren't the only services you'll have to provide as a registered nurse. You'll also have to calculate the dosage for medications, monitor changes in your patients' vitals, and predict any side effects that medications could have on each of your patients. If you have an interest in science and enjoy doing math problems, nursing will give you ample opportunity to practice and perfect these skills.
You are ready to get started quickly:
Ready to dive into registered nursing, but need a school that is flexible and can accommodate your busy life/work schedule? ECPI University, College of Health Science (Medical Careers Institute) has a Registered Nursing program which offers affordable and accessible training for aspiring nurses. For more information, visit our website today.
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