When visiting a doctor’s office, the first person patients interact with is often the nurse. Due to the diversity of roles nurses fulfill, job security in nursing is astoundingly high. Throughout their shift, registered nurses provide various services to help care for patients and provide critical care wherever needed.
And for those interested in working in the healthcare system, looking for a rewarding career, and seeking job security, rest assured that a career as a registered nurse is a fantastic and worthwhile option.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment of registered nurses (RNs) will grow six percent by 2031, with an average of 203,200 openings projected each year.
It has never been a better time to pursue a nursing career, especially since the pandemic, when many hospitals and healthcare institutions realized they could not handle the influx of patients. Today’s article will discuss a career as a nurse and the many benefits of pursuing this career, including strong job security.
What is a Nurse?
A registered nurse (RN) is a primary caregiver for medical patients. They are licensed healthcare professionals who assist physicians and other healthcare professionals in various environments and locations.
RNs perform many critical daily tasks, such as coordinating, managing, and providing clinical and at-home patient care by:
- Recording a patient’s medical history and collecting samples.
- Preparing patients for clinical exams.
- Educating patients and their families.
- Assisting with managing and navigating a patient’s treatment and care.
Nurses find employment in hospitals, physicians’ officers, home healthcare services, and nursing care facilities, as well as in outpatient facilities and schools.
Benefits of a Nursing Career
The medical field is a fast-growing career field in the United States, and nurses are the backbone of this industry. Qualified nurses increase patient safety, lower mortality rates, and improve patient outcomes.
And it’s for these reasons that a career in nursing is a rewarding path that comes with many different benefits, including:
1. Job Security
As we mentioned, there is an increased need for patient care due not only to the Covid-19 pandemic but also due to:
- The aging baby boomer population
- Retiring nurses
- An increased focus on healthcare
Nurses will always remain necessary, and healthcare facilities cannot function without them. They are the leaders providing care to patients at all hours, day in and day out. Without nurses, hospitals and doctor’s offices would be unable to admit or care for patients.
Furthermore, even during cutbacks, poor economic outlooks, and global pandemics, nurses have always been able to find jobs due to their essential duties. While it may not always be a job within a nurse’s specialty, there are always open positions leading to an extremely high level of job security in nursing. For example, in 2023, the RN vacancy rates stands at 15.7% nationally and is assessed as “critical” by respected recruiting firm, Nursing Solutions, Inc.
2. Opportunities For Advancement
In addition, RNs with nursing degrees can advance their career into management and leadership positions like team leaders, unit leaders, and assistant directors of nursing.
Most of these positions do not require any further education. In exchange for additional responsibilities and duties, the candidate receives an even higher salary and level of fulfillment.
Learn more about how Goodwin’s associate degree in Nursing program can set you up for success in your career!
3. High Earning Potential
According to the BLS, the median annual wage for RNs is $77,600 per year. Additionally, the median yearly wage for RNs in the top industries earned the following salaries:
- Government – $85,970
- Hospitals; state, local, and private – $78,070
- Ambulatory healthcare services – $76,700
- Nursing and residential care facilities – $72,420
- Educational services; state, regional, and private – $61,780
Graduates of nursing programs can not only expect to earn a high salary but also receive medical and dental benefits for themselves and their families.
And, as nurses are typically paid hourly, they often incur overtime and holiday pay as they work in shifts to provide around-the-clock coverage every day of the year.
4. Travel Opportunities
The opportunity and ability to travel is another coveted benefit of a nursing career. Many companies work full-time to match nurses with locations worldwide needing experienced nurses to care for their communities.
Medical care will always be a fundamental service of society. Nurses interested in helping others and traveling will be rewarded with job security and excellent pay because of this essential need.
Remember that most traveling nurses need a few years of experience before being eligible to apply for traveling nurse positions. Upon completing those requirements, however, traveling nurses have various options as to where and in what specialty they would like to work.
How to Become a Nurse
Becoming a nurse starts with an associate degree in Nursing (ADN) or a bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN).
Associate programs typically take two years, while a bachelor’s program takes four years. Some schools, like Goodwin University, offer nursing students accelerated options like an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing or RN-to-BSN program to further expedite their studies and careers
From there, nursing candidates must register for and pass the National Council Licensure Examination to receive their license and be able to practice as an RN legally. Candidates should research and ensure they meet all the certification standards of the state they wish to practice in.
Contact us today to learn how to start your satisfying and exciting nursing career. We can’t wait to help you succeed in college and your future career!