If it’s a rewarding and fulfilling career that you’re after, pursuing a nursing profession is highly recommended.
Nursing offers various benefits as well as opportunities for both professional and personal growth.
This article will explore some of the good reasons to be a nurse and list the qualifications that are required for you to land this healthcare role.
The Benefits of Becoming a Nurse
The appeal of becoming a nurse will be obvious to some, but if you need convincing, we’re here to provide a few reasons that might convince you.
1. Making a difference in people’s lives: Nurses have the privilege of positively impacting the lives of their patients.
Be it providing comfort and care to those suffering in their sickbeds or assisting someone in their recovery from illness, nurses are there for their patients at their most vulnerable moments.
A good bedside manner can go a long way, acting as a ray of light for people who are going through dark times.
Nurses are remembered both for their professionalism and kindness.
2. Job security: Nursing is a future-proof profession.
Nurses are always in demand and this will only increase in the decades to come.
An aging population and advancements in healthcare technology mean that qualified nurses are more important than ever.
As a result, nurses have better job security than most professions and opportunities for employment are plentiful.
3. Competitive salary: Nursing offers a competitive salary package.
As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average registered nurse salary, as of May 2021, was $82,750.
Furthermore, nurses are often offered additional benefits that add to the security of the role.
These can include health insurance, retirement plans and paid leave, making balancing work and life possible for those with young families.
4. Diverse career options: When you study nursing, the world is your oyster.
A versatile skill that can apply to so many environments, it allows you to consider a wide range of career paths and specializations.
Regardless of your preference, there is a career out there waiting for you.
It could be in a hospital or a clinic, a school or even in the military.
It’s a broad spectrum that allows you to tailor your job pursuit to your specific interests.
You can nurture young patients in paediatrics or provide compassionate care for the elderly in their twilight years.
Whatever your passion, there’s a nursing job out there to ensure you don’t neglect it.
5. No two days are the same: Nursing will never ‘bore’ you.
No two days are the same, and you have the chance to meet different people on a daily basis.
It’s a profession that constantly challenges you to embrace learning and development.
Advancements in medical research and technology mean that new insights are found all the time and that practices evolve to move with the times.
In addition to this, nursing is a great pathway for career advancement.
Esteemed roles like nurse educators or practitioners allow you to educate the next generation of nurses.
The Qualifications You Need to Become a Nurse
Becoming a nurse is by no means an easy feat.
However, it is something that those who are dedicated and hard-working enough can do.
We’ve listed everything you need to become a nurse below.
1. Education: The journey to becoming a nurse begins with completing a nursing education program.
This path offers three primary options: a diploma program, an associate degree in nursing (ADN), or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN).
Your choice of program hinges on your career aspirations and desired educational level.
2. Licensure: After finishing your nursing education, securing licensure involves passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
This exam evaluates your proficiency across various aspects of nursing practice, ensuring your readiness for a licensed nursing role.
3. Skills and qualities: Besides the foundational requirements of education and licensure, achieving a successful nursing career necessitates cultivating specific skills and qualities.
These include effective communication, empathy, meticulous attention to detail, critical thinking, adept interpersonal interactions and the capacity to perform well under pressure.
4. Continued education: Nursing is a profession underscored by the principle of lifelong learning.
Remaining up to date with the latest advancements in healthcare and upholding your licensure is imperative.
This encompasses attending conferences, engaging in workshops and pursuing advanced certifications.
5. Personal attributes: Few professions require as much dedication, compassion and resilience as nursing.
Having a genuine desire to help others is essential and it’s important to possess the ability to handle stressful situations with grace and professionalism.
Final Word
he choice to become a nurse is profoundly rewarding.
It has an array of advantages, including the ability to impact lives, job stability, competitive compensation, diverse vocational avenues and individual and professional maturation.
However, this pursuit entails commitment, education, licensure and honing pivotal skills and attributes.
If your passion involves aiding others and embarking on a lifelong voyage of learning and development, nursing is the vocation for you.
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