There are many great careers out there that you are able to choose from, but one that tends to give a lot of flexibility, great pay, and many opportunities is nursing. It may take some time to get a degree in nursing and enter the workforce, but all of that can be worth it for those who are ready to take on the role.
As you take a look at all that nursing has to offer, you will quickly notice that there are a ton of perks to choosing this career over some of the others that are available. Some of the best perks to choosing a career in nursing include:
Great Salary and Benefits
Nurses are in high demand throughout the country. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of job opportunities for nursing professionals will grow by 9% by 2030. Many states and medical facilities are finding that they have a nursing shortage, which means that nursing professionals will be able to find many career options.
Because of all these open job opportunities, nursing professionals will be able to get a competitive salary as medical facilities look to entice them to come work there. The average salary for a nurse is $80,000, which is higher than the annual average salary for all occupations out there.
In addition, you will be able to get a lot of great benefits for being a nurse as well. The exact benefits will depend on the employer, but some examples include:
- Childcare
- Reimbursement for certifications
- Retirement benefits
- Paid family leave
- Wellness programs
- Tuition reimbursement
- Health and life insurance
- Paid holidays and vacation
- Paid sick time.
Flexible Schedule
Another benefit of choosing to work in a nursing career is that you will have a lot of flexibility when it comes to your hours and the scheduling. This can be a great benefit for these professionals to work with what they would like, especially if they are parents. For example, they can choose to work during the day or night or even do longer shifts over fewer days.
Nurses may also be able to work side gigs for other employers if they would like. They could work as a school nurse and get a few months off during the summer or they could be a travel nurse and pick the assignments based on where they want to go.
Flexibility is a key in this field. Although nurses may need to be flexible and work overtime or float to another floor, the job provides a lot of options for the kinds of shifts they would like to work. This can give them more freedom while bringing in a great paycheck at the same time.
Rewarding Career Path
You can also choose to work as a nurse because it can bring you personal fulfillment. Nursing professionals will be able to make a difference in the lives of their patients on a daily basis. NO matter what setting you work in, you will need to understand the emotional side to illness and how it will impact the behavior of a person while giving great medical care.
Nursing professionals are necessary in many different areas and niches as well. Whether you want to work in labor and delivery to help mothers giving birth, pediatrics, or even with the elderly, and everything in between, you will find that this can provide a good career choice that helps reward you and gives you a way to help out others.
Chances to Advance in Your Career
When you choose to take on a career in nursing, you will find that there are a ton of opportunities for you to advance and work in a variety of different fields. When you have your nursing degree and partner it with an advanced education, you can even take on a managerial position or a more advanced clinical position as well.
It is possible to progress your career when you earn a specialized nurse certificate, which shows that you have additional skills and education compared to others and makes you more attractive to potential employers. They will often pay you more for this as well. Others will choose to move out of the clinical field and into an administrative position.
As you advance in this career, it doesn’t just bring on new challenges, but it also brings on more job satisfaction and higher salaries. You will have to choose which career you would like to go with and then decide whether you need more training, education, or experience to help you reach some of those goals overall.
Many Ways to Join This Career
As you decide to enter into this career, there are different methods you can use to enter into the workforce. The three most common routes to becoming a registered nurse include:
- Licensed Practical Nurse: Getting an LPN degree is a great way to get started in nursing. It only takes one year to complete and you can start out by making $50,000 a year. Most employers will want a higher degree than this though.
- Associate Degree in Nursing: This option will take two years for you to complete, including the clinical hours. You can then be prepared to go over to a bachelor’s degree to really impress the potential employer and gain attention.
- ADN-to-MSN Bridge Program: Some ADN nurses will be able to bypass the BSN and go straight to the master of science in nursing, or MSN degree through a bridge program. This will help you to get the education that you need to finish with a masters degree and get some of the higher paying jobs and roles that you want.
Choosing to Become a Nurse
While the nursing field may not be the best option for everyone, there are a ton of benefits of making this the right career choice for you. Take a look at our list above and see what some of the perks are to choosing a career in nursing, rather than a career in something else.
