Many people became interested in the nursing profession because they feel called to it and naturally want to do work that helps other people. If you enjoy making an impact on people’s lives, why not make a career out of it? Even without a degree, there are many positions that can be pursued in the medical field. Nursing can offer a purposeful career, but it is as much of a calling as it is a career path. Aside from job security, flexibility, and competitive salaries, being a nurse will definitely have a positive effect on the lives of your patients. On the job, you will have the opportunity to improve the well-being of people from all walks of life. Here are five more good and valid reasons to join the nursing industry.
Nursing Degree Programs are available everywhere and anywhere.
The National Center for Education Statistics ranks nurses in the top 3 associate degrees by the number of graduates. Most large cities have a wide selection of universities and colleges that offer BSN or ADN programs.
Nursing degrees can also be attained through accredited online nursing programs, which means you can be located anywhere in the U.S. and still become a qualified nurse. Since nursing is a hands-on profession, you’ll be required to both complete online classes and in-person clinicals.
Nurses have compelling benefits and options.
Nurses can work in different medical specialties and various workplaces. You may choose to work in a hospital, clinic, school or even a private company. For specialties, nurses can specialize in pediatrics and work only with children, work as a surgical nurse in the operating room, work as a correctional nurse, or become a qualified nurse in an assisted living facility. Some even choose a different path with a government agency. Nursing offers many entry-level nursing options, specialties, and working environments. They have flexible schedules and shift selection, which is an enticing feature for most people.
Doctors’ offices, clinics, and hospitals may offer excellent benefits to interest and keep qualified professionals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a nurse’s average annual salary of $75,330 is well above the average annual salary of all occupations. Depending on the nursing employment contract, here are some examples of benefits that registered nurses receive:
- Paid sick time, vacation, and holidays
- Bonuses for working extra shifts or when understaffed
- Health and life insurance
- Tuition reimbursement or student loan repayment
- Retirement benefits
- Wellness programs
- Childcare
- Subsidized travel
Another option is to become a travel nurse. Registered nurses in this kind of set-up have added benefits for the inconvenience of living and working in a different city. Benefits include covered travel expenses and allowance for housing, meals, and other bills. You may ask for guarantee in the job offer.
Nursing is a trusted and respected profession.
According to the annual Gallup poll on honesty and ethical standards in 2019, nurses were ranked as the most trusted profession. They have topped the list of 22 professions for the past 18 years. 85% of Americans say nurses’ honesty and ethical standards are “very high” or “high,” basically consistent from the 84% who said the same in 2018.
Nurses have a good and decent reputation. They are regarded as caring and honest by the public. They work closely with the people, providing medical care while being conscious of people’s privacy rights. Nurses are trusted because they put their patients’ needs first rather than serving the interest of medical groups or insurance companies.
Nurses have plenty of room to grow professionally.
As nurses gain different levels of qualification, they’ll continually progress in their career. Some might start off as an Assistant in Nursing, working under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. As more experience is gained, nurses could become an Enrolled Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, or a Registered Nurse. There’s also a choice to aim towards becoming a Nurse Manager or Nurse Educator. Put simply, there are many paths nurses can choose from.
Nurses can also take advantage of leadership roles in clinical practice, including advanced practice nurses, case managers, and clinical specialists. The nursing industry offers several avenues to take additional responsibility, improve their workplace skills, and advance to the career ladder.
Nurses are crucial to the growth of telemedicine.
When it comes to telemedicine, nurses are at the forefront. Telehealth nursing forged ahead during 2020 when healthcare providers began treating patients at home to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Up to this day, the need for remote telemonitoring of patients in the intensive care unit or at home continues to grow. Remote monitoring reduces costs for a hospital without sacrificing patient care.
Nurses are integral to patient consultations, taking patient histories, and coordinating care at home. They are mostly the main source of health education and monitoring and they play a crucial role in ramping up telehealth services. Nurses help manage workflows to keep nonurgent cases at home and allow doctors to focus on critical patients.
How important is nursing to the healthcare industry?
Nurses play a crucial role in delivering healthcare in many different settings. Much more than lending an empathetic ear, they take care of their patients by educating them on all important aspects of their health. They’re the backbone of the U.S. healthcare industry. As patient advocates and skilled care providers, nurses have never been more important in meeting the needs of a growing number of patients whether in the hospital or at home.
If you’re considering joining the nursing industry or hoping to find a place in the healthcare industry, you can visit our job section page or contact us for a full list of open positions at DeVore Recruiting.
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