Did you know that there will be an increase in nursingshortages over the next few years? The baby boomers are getting older, and a large portion of the nursing profession is approaching retirement. It was
estimated that 22% (of the 2,000,000 registered nurses (R.N.s) working in hospitals were 55 years old or older as of March 2020.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there willbe a 6% growth in the nursing profession by 2031. This makes it the ideal time to consider nursing as a career.
There are many options for entry-level nurses, includingspecialities and work environments. Continue reading to discover ten reasons why a career as a nurse might be the right choice for you.
Nurses Make a Real Difference
Nurses are more than just medical professionals. You canmake a difference in someone's life by being a nurse. Sometimes, even in the most challenging time of their lives, you can bring hope to others. After a
devastating diagnosis, nurses often counsel families and patients after adevastating diagnosis, share good news with them and are trusted confidantes.
Volunteering is another way nurses can help theircommunities. A 2017 survey found that 74% of nurses cited activities unrelated to work as the reason they have done something to improve their community's
health. These activities included volunteering for health, travelling to do volunteer work, raising money or donating money and health-related volunteering.
Nursing Degree Programs Exist Everywhere
The National Centre for Education Statistics ranks healthprofessions among the top three associate degrees based on the number of graduates. The top two are bachelor's degrees. Many colleges and universities in large cities offer ADN or BSN programs. Check out these top RN-to-BSN programs in Ohio, Arizona and Alabama, as well as the best online colleges in Alabama.
Nurses Can Pursue Their Education Online
Online nursing programs are also available. This allows youto obtain your nursing degree anywhere in the United States. Nursing is a hands-on career. You must take both online classes and do clinics in a healthcare setting.
The accredited online program must be approved by theAccreditation Commission of Education in Nursing (or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education). You must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and take NCLEX-style tests to obtain your license.
Many Nursing Students Find Financial Aid Opportunities
Student debt can be very overwhelming. It can take up to adecade for student debt repayment programs to be paid off. Nursing students have many options to pay for their school.
Many options include nursing scholarships and grant money from various organizations. Students can apply for financial aid to finance their associate, bachelor, masters or even DNP degrees. Many hospitals also offer tuition remission programs to staff who want to return to school. You don't need massive debt to finance your nursing schooleducation.
Nurses Can Enter the Workforce Relatively Quickly
You can quickly enter the workforce with a variety of nursing degrees. You can earn an income while completing your bachelor's degree by returning to school.
You can earn an average annual salary in the $73,000 range after you have completed a two-year associate degree program accredited by Payscale Nov. 2022. This includes some of the highest-paying associate
programs. Your BSN degree will open up more career opportunities and an average salary of $89,000 (Payscale Nov.2022).
Nurses Have a High Level of Job Satisfaction
There are two types of job satisfaction: career satisfactionand job satisfaction. The first measure satisfaction with a job, and the second measure satisfaction with your career. According to the 2019 American Mobile Nurses Healthcare Survey, 81% of nurses are satisfied or very satisfied with
their job choice.
70% of respondents said yes to being asked if they would recommend nurses to others. According to the survey, job satisfaction was also tied to supporting professional development. Employers who supported nurses' professional development were 52% more satisfied than those who didn't. Only 7% of those not supported by their professional development were delighted.
Nurses Get to Do Exciting Work
Every day can be different for patients. Nursing isn't dull,regardless of whether you work in an office, hospital or clinic. According to AMN Healthcare's 2017 Survey of Registered Nurses data, many nurses planned to work in areas other than direct patient care. Some could work less depending on their circumstances, while others would like to travel nursing.
Nursing Is a Respected Field
Gallup began a survey in 1999 to find the most honest andethical profession. It lasted for over a decade. For 19 years, Americans have ranked nurses at the top of their profession. After September 11, 2001,
firefighters were the highest-scoring group.
Nursing also ranked first in 2020, with the highest possiblescore for honesty and integrity. The ranking in 2020 was four percentage points better than the 2019 record.
Nurses Can Choose Their Specialty
Nursing is an integral part of healthcare delivery in manysettings. There are over 100 nursing specialities available, so you will always be energized. You can focus on general healthcare, such as nursing for the
elderly, or you could expand your role and become a flight nurse or transplant nurse. You could also consider a career in health policy.
Another advantage is the ease with which you can switch fromone speciality to the next. You should travel nursing after you have completed your dialysis training. You can take on a variety of assignments if you're a skilled speciality nurse. Before you can move to become a labour and delivery nurse, you will need to have some practical experience and continue your education.
Nurses Work in a Stable Industry
The baby boomer generation will reach 65 years old by 2030.Over 85% of seniors have at least one chronic condition and 60% have more than two. According to the BLS, nurses are needed to care for an increasing number of patients with chronic diseases. Nurses and nurse practitioners expect job growth between 6% and 40%.
