When you enter higher education, you make a major life-altering decision; your career path.
There are so many different options, ranging from skill and knowledge-based jobs to entrepreneur-based career paths.
Each of these has its unique characteristics, but some factors make healthcare professions like nursing stand out.
Many of this profession’s work requirements, duties, and outcomes are different from most other professions.
This gratifying profession revolves around serving the community in pressurizing situations.
Especially during the current pandemic situation, the role of nurses has been emphasized more than ever before.
Amidst the COVID-19 mass panic, nurses have helped sustain public health, often at the expense of their mental health.
A survey by ANA reported that 3 out of 5 nurses reported facing difficulty sleeping and a significant number of nurses reported feeling overwhelmed, irritable, and anxious; yet, interestingly, another survey showed that 85% of the nurses stated that they did not intend to switch careers because of the pandemic.
So, what makes this profession so different, personally rewarding, and satisfying than other careers?
Let us review some of the ways nursing is unique as a profession.
1. High personal satisfaction
Nursing is a calling, not just a profession. While many careers are personally rewarding, nothing can be more satisfying than saving lives.
Social work is the predominant theme in this profession, and the ultimate goal is to improve overall community health.
Public health practice and social work are strongly associated with this field, and many nurses benefit from a Master’s in Public Health.
An online mph gives students a personalized mentorship experience with public health leaders.
Nursing offers you an opportunity to save lives and make a difference for those undergoing a period of stress.
As a nurse, you can connect with vulnerable patients and their families, provide emotional support, and foster relationships of care and trust.
A survey conducted in 2017 revealed that two-thirds of all nurses encourage others to opt for this career path because of the intense job satisfaction.
2. Astounding Flexibility
Nurses have a great deal of choice in designing their job schedule and selecting a profession with a routine that matches their lifestyle.
With a nursing degree, you can explore job options in various geographical locations and work settings, with different job types (part-time or full-time) and work hours.
You can choose if a day, evening, night, or weekend shift suits your lifestyle the best.
If you prefer to have some days off from work, you can complete 12-hour-long shifts in 3 days and get a few days off from work.
The degree of flexibility varies from one job to another, with some offering shifts as short as 4 hours in one go. You are likely to have a more regular schedule and a fixed shift, usually 8 hours long with outpatient care.
However, in terms of shifts, nursing also has highly unpredictable requirements because of the nature of service provided; because of emergencies, nurses are expected to work unusually long shifts, sometimes as much as 36 hours in 3 days.
You might even have to come to work on holidays or weekends and work overtime if your patients need you.
3. Diverse career options and excellent opportunities for advancement
With a nursing degree, there are countless job options you can select from, be it in hospitals, other healthcare facilities, critical care units, emergency rooms, outpatient care units, and many more.
If you like to work on the frontlines, you can work in trauma care. In healthcare settings, nurses can also join as instructors in nursing schools.
If you’re interested in understanding how the healthcare system operates and determining if it’s the right path for you, starting as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) can be a great option. To become a CNA, you’ll need to pass the CNA test, which is moderately difficult if you have a solid knowledge base.
Fortunately, numerous online resources, including reading materials and full-length CNA practice exams, are readily accessible to help you prepare for the test.
Certified nursing assistants support nurses with their daily tasks, although their direct contact with patients may be limited.
Beginning your career as a CNA provides a solid foundation and an excellent starting point for further career advancement in healthcare.
By pursuing further education degrees and partnering with leading professionals in the field, you can open up new doors for your career path.
There are endless learning opportunities you can explore if you truly possess the dedication and desire for knowledge.
4. High demand and numerous job opportunities
Nurses will never go out of demand; healthcare is a crucial component in any community, without which everything else will be in chaos.
The healthcare sector ensures that the population lives through chronic and mild illnesses, maintains good physical health, and reaches old age with minimal medical complications.
In 2017, even before the pandemic, the American Nursing Association set a goal of including 1 million more nurses in their workforce over the next five years.
Then, with the pandemic situation, while overall unemployment increased tremendously, the demand for nursing increased.
Nursing is considered a highly reliable and stable career path that is unlikely to go out of demand shortly.
5. Opportunity for travel
If you are a travel enthusiast at heart, nursing also has this flexibility in some of its career options.
Many organizations offer nurses travel jobs where you have 13-week contracts on average in an area you like.
In fact, some places also compensate for your travel, room, board, and uniform expenses.
Many RNs travel, and most such nurses are recent graduates with two or more years of experience.
Final words
Nursing is unique in many dimensions when compared to other professions.
With its practical nature, flexibility, diversity, high demand for nurses, and travel options, nursing is a career with its unique perks.
Nursing has always been high in demand, and if you are considering this career path, the opportunities are endless.