Deciding to Become a Nurse: Are You Ready to Answer Your Calling?
There are different reasons why people decide to study nursing. However, one of the main reasons why people venture into the nursing industry is the abundance of job opportunities. Nursing is all about caring for others and saving lives, and there is nothing nobler than that. Additionally, a nursing career is quite lucrative. After you identify your niche, you can specialize your nursing skills to land into top job positions.
Common Reasons why People Decide to Become Nurses
Work-Life Balance
Very few professions will allow you to match your lifestyle with your career. Rather than working from 9-to-5 on a daily basis, you can choose a schedule that fits perfectly into your life. A typical shift ranges between four to twelve hours. This means that you won't be tied to a desk or a certain schedule and will give you the flexibility you need to manage your life.
You can Make a Real Difference
A career in nursing will help you save lives and bring happiness to your patients and their families. From taking care of the aged, mentally challenged, rehabilitation and midwifery, you can help make a positive impact in several areas. If you’re an empathetic, strong-valued person and have an urge to assist others, pursuing a nursing career is a great career move.
There is a Shortage of Nurses in the Healthcare Industry
The influx of sick people has greatly contributed to the shortage of nurses. Most hospitals around the country have too many patients and not enough nurses. This explains why RNs (Registered Nurses) are among the fastest growing careers in the U.S. today. According to the BLS, the nursing profession will grow by 15 percent by the year 2026.
You can Work in Different Settings
Nursing work settings are endless. For instance, you can be off on holidays, weekends, or summers if you decide to work as a school nurse. Or you can decide to work as a nurse researcher at a research facility. You can even work from home as a nurse helping callers for insurance companies.
Nursing Careers are Expanding
In the past, a nursing career meant only one role, it has been growing wider and wider. Today, nurses can become administrators, entrepreneurs, bloggers, policymakers, doctors, and even researchers. There are several opportunities for nurses outside a hospital setting.
How can you tell Whether Nursing is the Right Career for you?
Nursing is a stable career that can provide some people with financial stability. However, before you jump into this career, you need to determine whether it’s the right career for you. Below are a few ways to help you make a solid decision:
Volunteer: One of the best ways to determine whether nursing is the right career for you is by volunteering for organizations that need nursing skills. This can be your local hospital or an organization such as Red Cross where volunteers are always needed. Being a volunteer will give you the opportunity to work with other healthcare professionals. The advantage of volunteering is that you can later add your experience to your nursing school application and resume.
Interview: Another way that you can discover whether nursing is right for you is by interviewing long-term nurses. First, prepare a list of the questions that you may have, for instance:
- Why did you decide to venture into nursing?
- Why do you love your job?
- What do you dislike about your job?
- Has nursing had any impact on your family?
- What is a normal day like while at work?
Job Shadowing: You can visit or call the nearest hospital and see if they have any job-shadowing programs. Experiencing the daily routine of a nurse will give you an idea of whether nursing is the right career for you. Job shadowing will enable you to:
- Expand your network, which can later help you get a job.
- Learn the daily duties of a nurse
- Get answers about being a nurse
- You will be exposed to various nursing working environments.
By completing either or all the three ways, you will know what nursing is all about, and you will be able to determine whether it’s the best career for you.
Importance of Formal Education for Nurses
Nurses perform different tasks, from providing basic healthcare to assisting surgeons and other critical procedures. Lack of sufficient knowledge can lead to serious mistakes that can cost people’s health and even their lives. Improved formal education is essential in the prevention of errors and in providing the best possible care. Therefore, if you’re interested in becoming a nurse, you will need formal education.
Nursing is a great career, but it carries a vast responsibility. If you want to follow your calling and earn an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, ECPI University offers this degree at an accelerated pace. For more information about the nursing program, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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Gainful Employment Information – Nursing - Associate’s
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