As you may know already, our healthcare system is under incredible stress at the moment. But what many people don’t know is that it was experiencing issues way before the pandemic. The healthcare sector has been dealing with shortages across the board and demographic pressure from boomers entering retirement age.
So, if you wanted a job where you could help others and help our healthcare system stay afloat, becoming a nurse could be a great idea. But there are tons of other reasons why becoming a nurse right now could make sense. Let’s take a look at a few reasons why now could be a great time to become a nurse.
Make a Difference
One of the best things about becoming a nurse is that you’ll have the chance to make a real difference in other people’s lives and their communities. You’ll be able to support public health efforts now and in the future, as there’s a strong chance that we’ll have to deal with the same issues again at some point.
Another great thing about being a nurse is that you don’t have to be stuck in one position. If you want to make even more of an impact on the profession, you could start working on research or even become a teacher. You’ll have the chance to directly transform the way care is dispensed, become an advocate, and teach the next generation of nurses.
Some nurses also end up on boards or in politics. Others work with law enforcement to solve crimes or identify cases of negligence. That’s when they’re not helping bring new lives into this world. Nursing is one of the most fulfilling jobs you can have, especially in the current times, so consider this option if you want to be filled with a sense of purpose every time you clock in.
Getting a Nursing Degree is Easier than Ever
If you wanted to become a nurse but felt like the traditional route was too difficult or simply impossible because of logistics, know that there are ways that you can make things easier for you. One of them would be to go for an online degree.
If you think that these degrees are not as respected as traditional nursing degrees, think again. You will get the same level of education and credentials as any other nurse and there’s absolutely no way to tell that you got your degree online, as long as you get it from a respected and accredited school.
If you currently hold a bachelor’s in a non-nursing field, you could get an ABSN online from a school like Baylor and get it in a fraction of the time it usually takes. Getting your degree online is the best way to get your credentials while you work. You’ll be able to fit your studies around your schedule and won’t have to deal with the hassle of commuting to school, which will not only save you time but money as well.
Flexible Schedules
People often speak of 12-hour shifts when they talk about nursing, and they do exist, but nothing forces you to take them. Nursing is one of the fields that offer the most flexible schedules. You could literally decide to work by the day as a per diem nurse, or only work on the weekends and still make good money.
There are also benefits to working 12-hour shifts, believe it or not. These might seem long, but not when you consider that many nurses who work these shifts only work about three days per week and have four days off. That sounds pretty luxurious when you think about it, and when you love what you do, 12 hours doesn’t seem that long.
You could also decide to work on calls on limited availability and some facilities offer shifts as short as four hours, so, if you want to have more free time to relax or work on other projects, these can be good options.
Great Pay And Job Prospects
Nurses are some of the most well-paid professionals in the country. Even entry-level jobs pay north of $50,000 per year and it’s not uncommon for nurses to get paid in the six figures. Some nurses earn even more than some doctors.
Salaries are also expected to go up for nurses over the next few years because of increased demand. Not only does the industry currently have to deal with nursing shortages, but these will only get worse as more nurses retire. This means that tons of great positions could open up.
You’ll never have to worry about finding work with a nursing degree. Even if you can’t find a job where you are, you could always find work in another city, state, or even country. Conversely, you could also decide to work where people need it the most, either by moving to an underserved area or working as a travel nurse. The field offers so many opportunities even beyond healthcare, so this is one of the best ones to be in if you want to enjoy good pay and great job security.
Hundreds of Different Specialties
We haven’t even talked about all the different nursing specialists yet. Being a nurse means that you get to work in pretty much any setting that you want. Some people may want to work on one particular type of disorder, body part, or population. Others may want to work on specific issues like mental health and substance addiction, for instance.
There will be more specializations being introduced as technology advances too. You can already specialize in nurse informatics and help facilities handle their systems. You could also specialize in telehealth, which could see a large increase in demand in the future. So, we would suggest that you give specialties a look and see where you could fit.
These are all reasons why you should consider embarking on a career as a nurse right now. It’s one of the fields with the brightest prospects for the future and you’ll get the chance to make the world better, so think about it.