Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare industry. They are often the first person patients interact with, and the ones asking questions, giving shots, talking treatments, and checking vital signs. Nurses spend their days treating people who are sick, injured, and disabled – caring for others is core to what they do.
Not to mention, nurses are also key intermediaries between patients and other medical professionals, serving as advocates and educators for patients in need. These factors make nursing one of the most vital and respected professions.
Thus, it’s no surprise that the importance of nursing in modern healthcare continues to grow, especially with an average of about 193,100 job openings each year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
This article will cover the many reasons why nursing is such a respected and valued career, as well as why getting into the nursing field is a great career move.
What is Involved in the Nursing Field?
A registered nurse (RN) is a skilled, trained, licensed primary caregiver for medical patients. They assist physicians and other healthcare professionals in various environments and locations as they perform critical daily tasks to coordinate, manage, and provide clinical and at-home patient care.
Some of the tasks, duties, and responsibilities involved in the field of nursing are:
- Listening to and educating patients and their families.
- Preparing patients for clinical exams.
- Recording patients’ medical histories.
- Collecting samples.
- Using medical equipment to diagnose and treat patients under the supervision of physicians and nurse practitioners (NPs).
- Assisting with managing and navigating a patient’s care.
Nurses work in state, local, and private hospitals, ambulatory healthcare service centers, nursing and residential care facilities, government offices and agencies, and educational services.
Check out our Associate Degree in Nursing Get Started Guide to discover if becoming an RN is the right choice for your future!
Why is Nursing a Respected and Valued Career?
Nurses are essential and vital to the sustainability and effectiveness of our healthcare system for many reasons.
First, nurses are compassionate, resilient individuals who want to make a difference and impact by caring for the lives of others. They connect personally and individually with patients and their families to help them understand and overcome chronic illnesses or protect them from disease, often at some of the most challenging times of their lives.
Secondly, the field of nursing and the healthcare industry overall is booming, especially as the senior population is growing, making the demand for health services increase more and more. Employers and patients alike want qualified registered nurses who can think on their feet, exercise strong patient care, and communicate well with patients, families, and team members.
Lastly, pursuing a nursing career is respected and valued because of the variety of career opportunities and positions one can pursue and are needed by our world today.
Candidates with degrees in nursing can pursue careers as research analysts or clinical educators, as well as working as many different types of nurses like pediatric nurses, forensics nurses, emergency room nurses, psychiatric nurses, military nurses, travel nurses, and more.
Why is Nursing a Great Career Move?
Whether you are looking to enter the field of nursing straight away or considering changing from one career to another as a nurse, you are making an extremely worthwhile, fulfilling, and exciting decision.
1. Flexibility
While it will depend on the specialty you pursue, most nurses find a lot of satisfaction in the flexibility of their schedule.
More often than not, nurses work in twelve-hour shifts to provide round-the-clock coverage. They may work nights, weekends, and holidays, as well as work on-call shifts where they are on duty and must be available to work on short notice. However, nurses do not work every day and often work three days per week, with four days off.
Nurses who work in schools also achieve flexibility by having the same schedule as students with daytime shifts, weekends, and holidays off, as well as summer breaks.
2. High Earning Potential
Registered nurses (RNs) earn a median annual wage of $81,220, with the highest ten percent earning more than $129,400, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Compare this to the median annual wage for all occupations of $61,900, also reported by the BLS, and it’s clear why the high earning potential is a great reason to pursue a career as a nurse.
Furthermore, by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), candidates can increase their earning potential, marketability, and job prospects for advanced positions in the field.
3. Stimulating Work Environment
Nursing is not an office job where you stare at a computer screen for hours on end. It’s an exciting career where no day is the same. Nurses interact with patients with different stories, symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment needs.
This creates a stimulating job where nurses need to think on their feet, get creative, and problem-solve to ensure they provide the best care to patients and their families.
Additionally, nurses are on the frontline of medicine as they learn, implement, and witness the effect of new technologies, new research, and new treatment methodologies on the lives of others. In turn, nurses continue to grow in their abilities and evolve within their roles.
Nurses can also find opportunities to travel to locations worldwide that need experienced nurses to care for their communities. Travel nurses not only see their impact but also have the opportunity to explore and engage with our communities and cultures.
The importance of nurses today is not going away anytime soon, especially as the baby boomer population ages, current nurses reach retirement, and our world places more and more emphasis on healthcare. All of these reasons make it the perfect time to pursue a career in the nursing field.
Goodwin University’s comprehensive nursing programs are designed to fit your needs, whether you are just entering the nursing field or looking to advance your career. Find out more information by contacting us today.
We’re ready when you are!