For decades, nursing has remained a prosperous, well-respected, and rewarding career path in the medical field for women. The recent influx of male nurses has also made it a more socially acceptable job for men, too. For those who value hands-on learning, working with the public, and having a dynamic and exciting job, nursing is a valuable and viable career path. Nursing programs are intellectually rigorous and provide students with preparation for a dynamic and fast-paced job where there is truly never a dull moment.
Nurses work in all types of medical facilities, serving alongside doctors to provide compassionate healthcare to their patients. They play a crucial role in medical practice, and are trained to compassionately and intuitively provide care to patients of all ages. Nurses are the link between doctors and patients, stepping in to bridge the gap and provide peace of mind to patients in their worst moments. Nurses are known to be friendly, warm, and empathetic, and this is true in most cases. Nurses report very high rates of job satisfaction, as they find their work compelling and meaningful.
For such a popular career, you might think that there are far more nurses than jobs available. But in today’s world, there is actually an unfortunate shortage of qualified registered nurses to fill positions in physicians’ offices, hospitals, and care facilities. This means that if you’ve been holding back on going back to school for nursing, now might be your chance. With a high median rate of pay, lots of job flexibility, and a diverse classroom, it’s never been a better time to pursue a career as a nurse.
Nursing school prepares you for real-world experience.
While medical school requirements are fairly rigid and straightforward in every state, nursing schools recognize that their students come from a wide range of backgrounds. It’s also generally easier and more affordable to obtain a nursing degree fl than a medical degree, which is appealing to many students who prefer practical application to classroom learning.
Nursing is appealing to non-traditional students, such as those balancing a full-time career or family with their education, due to the variety of pathways to a career in nursing. There are three pathways to becoming a registered nurse: a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BsN), an Associate Degree in Nursing program (ASN), or a diploma from an accredited nursing program.
The latter typically involve more applied learning, while the BsN program provides a more conventional STEM education. All three programs combine core science (biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and microbiology), social science (psychology), and liberal arts-focused courses, in order to provide nurses with a well-rounded educational background.
Nursing provides job flexibility.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is currently a significant nursing shortage that is impacting the quality of healthcare in America. As such, nursing programs are encouraging students to come in droves. Employment is expected to grow 15% over the next decade in order to fill this gap in the employment market. Suffice to say, there are more than enough nursing jobs to go around, and registered nurses are likely to find work immediately upon graduation.
What’s more, nursing provides a rare amount of job flexibility for a job in the medical field. While doctors must commit to residency programs and move wherever they are matched post-graduation, nurses often choose their career path. The field offers immense freedom which allows nurses to raise a family, choose their own hours, and find work after time away. As a nurse, you can rest assured that you can easily find a part-time, full-time, or temporary position that best suits your needs.
