So you’re thinking about going into nursing.
Maybe you’ve heard that nursing pays pretty well, has flexible hours and is a respected profession that is in demand.
All of those things are true.
It’s also true that nurses can work long hours, endure job stress, burnout and staffing shortages. Even so, there’s one reason that most nurses do what they do.
But before we talk about the most important reason to become a nurse, here are 5 great reasons why nursing is one of the best careers and will continue to be into the future:
- Job Security
Even with hospitals’ budget crunches due to COVID-19, the field of nursing is still expected to grow 12% by 2028, much faster than the national average. That means hospitals still need nurses.
- Competitive Salaries
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for a Registered Nurse (RN) is $73,300 a year, or about $35.24/hour. For a new nurse just coming out of school, it’s about $64,189. If you want to continue your nursing education and specialties, you can make even more.
- Flexibility
You can work as much as or as little as you want. You can work part-time, full-time or add on hours of overtime if you want. A flexible schedule also makes it easier to plan time off without having to burn your valuable paid time off hours.
- Career Growth Opportunities
Nursing has tons of opportunities to grow your career. You can continue your education to get a masters or Ph.D. Or you can become a specialist in an area of care. You can change to a different type of nursing you find more interesting. Some hospitals will even reimburse their nurses’ educations. It’s all up to you how far you want to go.
- Travel
Want to live and work in San Francisco or New York? How about Japan or South America? If you’re suffering from wanderlust, you can become a travel nurse and work in almost any state in the U.S. or anywhere in the world. You can choose from a major city or serve poorer regions that desperately need your help.
BONUS: You get to wear scrubs and comfy shoes to work
That’s right, no worrying about what to wear, high heels or stuffy ties when you’re a nurse. You’ll get to wear comfortable scrubs and comfy shoes every day.
These are 5 (plus one) great reasons for becoming a nurse, but the most important reason to become a nurse will never change:
You want to help people.
You want to help people in their time of need and make a meaningful contribution to your community.
That is the essence of what it means to be a nurse. This is best said by poet, memoirist and civil rights activist Maya Angelou:
“As a nurse, we have the opportunity to heal the heart, mind, soul and body of our patients, their families and ourselves. They may not remember your name but they will never forget the way you made them feel.”
Share your thoughts and the reasons why you became a nurse. Join us at The Buzz, our online community and connect with fellow nurses who are just as passionate as you. Or you can email us at info@nursehiveprep.com
You can also check out NurseHivePrep.com for vital nursing news, education, resources and more.