Let’s start with the basics. What does it mean to be a nurse?
Well, that all depends on what type of nursing job you’ll take when you graduate from one of the top-rated nursing schools in your chosen field.
There is a lot more to becoming a nurse than just writing prescriptions and dispensing medications, which is why you’ll want to focus on your nursing classes and courses while in school.
Depending on which course of study and the nursing job you choose, you can expect to do any number of tasks, including providing basic care such as administering medications, assisting patients with daily tasks, and providing comfort/support. You’re also expected to take vital statistics, help maintain a clean and healthy facility for patients in the hospital or long-term care setting, clean wounds, complete medical tests and procedures, operate medical equipment like an X-ray machine or heart monitor, manage the flow of information between doctors and nurses who are caring for the patient, and so much more.
How to Choose Which Path to Take
Nurses are in high demand, so you’re likely to have to work hard in school, even though you may be able to choose from a number of different paths. If you’re considering becoming a nurse, be sure that you know exactly what type of career path or path and setting will be best for you and your career goals.
If the idea of being a generalist appeals to you, then the RN-to-BSN route is probably the path that will work best for you. If dealing with patients who are suffering from mental illness appeals to you more than working with adults who need routine medical care, then an MSN-to-BSN route is probably more suitable for your career choice.
There’s even the opportunity to specialize in family medicine by taking extra qualifications, such as one of the online fnp programs.
Making the Right Decision for Your Career
So how exactly can you determine which is the right path for you? There are a number of different factors you will want to consider.
Your level of knowledge and training completed so far will be a big factor. Will a bachelor’s degree in nursing be enough, or will some nurses with an MSN degree make you more desirable to employers?
The type of medical care offered at the facility where you want to work will be another. Some facilities, such as hospice care centers, can only offer family-style care that requires a more specialized degree than others.
There are so many benefits to joining the nursing profession; here are a few of them.
You’ll Help Others in Need
Becoming a nurse means helping people in their time of need and making sure they are as comfortable as possible while they’re in your care.
When you become a nurse, you’re putting on one of the most respected uniforms in the world. That’s because, in every corner of the globe, nurses are respected for what they do for society.
The nursing profession has a long history of being at the forefront of medical care and treatment. Many nurses have made medical history for their important contributions to the field.
You’ll Have the Opportunity to Grow and Learn Every Day
You’ll have the opportunity to learn something new every day. You won’t ever really be done learning when you’re a nurse.
New material is introduced to you constantly, making it an ideal vocation for people who want to continue their education after they’ve left school.
This is the perfect career for someone who likes to constantly learn and develop their skills.
You’ll Have the Opportunity to Change Lives
You may not realize it, but when you’re a nurse, you have the opportunity to change lives for the better.
When you offer medical care to someone who is in need of that care, you’re giving them an important gift that could make an enormous difference in their quality of life.
Nurses who have been in the profession for many years have saved countless lives because of the treatment they’ve provided.
You’ll Have a High-Paying Job
Becoming a nurse is an excellent career choice for anyone who wants to make a lot of money.
After all, nurses are essential parts of the medical industry, and plenty of medical facilities, such as hospitals and healthcare centers, rely on their nurses to provide them with high-quality care that allows them to remain in business and pay their employees a good wage.
Deep down, every nurse wants to grow in their chosen career path and offer more than just routine care to those who need help. There’s no shortage of people who are in physical pain or suffering from mental health problems, and nurses are the ones who can provide a helping hand.
If you really want to see how a career as an RN can lead you on an exciting path that takes you all over the world and allows you to change lives for the better, then you won’t want to miss out on this opportunity.
Nursing is One of the Safest Careers
A nurse who is certified to provide medical treatment while on the job carries no more risk of harm than someone performing any other similar task.
This means nurses have many opportunities to help people and enjoy a very safe career.
There are relatively few occupational hazards that nurses might face on the job, and you have no shortage of options to help keep you from harm’s way. The most obvious hazard is being struck by a moving vehicle or being caught in an accident while outside of work hours.
This is another area where nursing shines when it comes to financial and job security. You’re unlikely to ever find yourself in danger of being fired from your job since there’s always going to be a high demand for nurses, and the education required to become one is not easy.
Nursing is Flexible Enough to Fit Any Schedule
Becoming a nurse means you get the opportunity to shape your own schedule. You’re likely to have a lot of control over which shifts you work, and if you don’t love going in on weekends or after work, then you can typically arrange your schedule in such a way that avoids those shifts.
It’s common for nurses to travel, so if this is something that interests you and fits into your plans, then you’ll have no shortage of opportunities.
Travel nurses are often hired alongside doctors and other health professionals who are looking for a change of scenery or a new location to work at.
Nursing Offers Great Pay and Benefits
Nurses enjoy relatively high pay for the efforts they put into their profession, and there are many benefits to ensure that the work environment is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
Job security is an issue for a lot of jobs, but being a nurse doesn’t mean you have to fear losing your job if you don’t do your job properly or if you get injured on the job or outside of it.
Additionally, most nurses in North America receive a minimum salary that far exceeds the average full-time minimum wage.
You Can Have a Positive Impact on the World
Becoming a nurse is a great way to make the world a better place, and you’re not just doing it for the people who receive medical treatment in your facility.
When you’re working as a nurse, you’re also offering that person in pain or suffering from sickness and disease an opportunity to be able to produce more value in society and feel like they have added something meaningful to this world before they pass away.
You can help those who are suffering, those who have gone through depression or other mental health challenges, the homeless, and the rich alike. Every nursing job has a positive impact on somebody out there, making it one of the most rewarding careers out there.
You’re a part of the Medical Community
Nursing truly is a calling and an important part of the medical community. When you’re working with medical professionals, you’re helping to make it easier for them to do their jobs and help people who have been injured or ill.
This means you’re also likely to be offered a chance to go on more specialized training over time, making it one of the most rewarding careers when it comes to advancing your skills and knowledge.
Conclusion: Should You Become A Nurse?
Whether you already have a nursing degree or you’re looking to get one shortly, there are many reasons why nurses are one of the best careers out there and a career path you can’t afford to miss out on.
By taking part in this rewarding career, you can find a path that takes you all over the world and provides numerous opportunities to help people who require medical treatment and care.
Being a nurse is a great career choice, but whether or not it’s right for you depends entirely on how enthusiastic you are about taking part in this rewarding profession.
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