What are the Job Benefits of being a Nurse?
Being a nurse means you have to get used to a dynamic working environment. Having a career in nursing puts you into a fast-paced and in-demand field. This job is a great choice for someone who loves to help other people. Below are some of the perks and benefits of being a nurse:
Compensation and Benefits
One of the top benefits of being a nurse is the job’s compensation and benefits. Many hospitals and other medical facilities would pay high salaries with sign-on bonuses for experienced nurses who have been in the field for long. How much does a nurse make? The average annual salary of a nurse in the United States averages around $80,010 – still depending on the experience. You can go to www.bls.gov to check for salary brackets for each nursing department. Aside from the pay, being a nurse also means having these job benefits:
- Paid leave, vacation and sick time off
- Health & life insurance
- Childcare
- Retirement benefits
- Wellness programs
And some even offer tuition reimbursement programs. Also read: 7 states expected to have the most available nursing jobs
The feeling of fulfilment
Another job perks of being a nurse is that feeling of fulfilment they get when they help others. Providing compassion to other people often makes nurses feel as if other people depend their health and wellness into their hands. In 2020, a poll conducted by Gallup showed that 89% of Americans voted nurses and medical practitioners to be at the top of the list for honesty and ethics. No wonder why they are ranked as the most trusted professionals for 19 consecutive years.
Acknowledged in different industries
This is probably the most unique benefit of being a nurse – the flexibility of nursing career/degree is being acknowledged in different industries. That means, registered nurses benefits by being able to work on these non-medical industries:
- School and other educational bodies
- Correctional facilities such as prisons/jails
- On call nurses (home health)
- Forensic and other related court systems related to collecting crime evidence
- Assisted Living Facilities
Travel Opportunities
One of the best perks for nurses is that they are always in demand in different areas. This gives them an opportunity to travel – when a shortage in nurses happens in one medical facility, they would call another nurse to fill in the gap even just for a short period of time. Healthcare recruiters are often the ones called by hospitals and clinics to help fill their open positions. Aside from the trip, travel nurses are often offered a pay package that includes an hourly rate, accommodations, and reimbursement.
Flexible Working Schedule
Hospitals and other medical facilities would always offer a flexible working schedule as this benefits their employees as well as patients. If a nurse works on a full shift incompetency and low performance may happen at work which is a big no for a health related industry. That is why some hospitals and clinics allow 8-, 10-, or 12-hour shifts, some even give two months off each summer such as for school nurses.