Deciding what to study can be one of the most exciting yet frustrating tasks a student can undertake. The decision you make regarding the program to study will determine your employability, work satisfaction, and career progression. Students interested in the medical sector have always had many choices, with medicine and dentistry being the top choices for many years. However, recently, there has been a shift in trends, with many students choosing nursing as their preferred career option. So why is nursing trending and why do so many students choose it over other professions?
What Are the Benefits of Studying Nursing?
Nursing is one of the most fast-paced and in-demand professions around the world. Studying nursing is perfect for students who already enjoy helping others. Recently, studies have reported a surge in the demand for nursing programs. So, why are so many students choosing to study nursing? Here are some notable reasons.
- Impressive Remuneration and Benefits
One of the main reasons people go to college is to get jobs that will make their lives comfortable and afford them financial security. For those interested in the medical field, nursing offers one of the best remuneration rates. With a median salary of $77,600, registered nurses are some of the best-paid professionals in the healthcare sector. There are also impressive benefits and bonus packages to look forward to. Nurses are paid for sick time as well as holidays and vacations.
- Job Security
The nursing profession is one of the most secure job categories in the world. There is always a demand for registered nurses, meaning that you are unlikely to lose your job. If you get laid off or resign, getting another gig shouldn’t be too hard. Even in developing countries, finding a job if you are a trained nurse shouldn’t be too hard. If you are thinking about getting into the field, just know that you can be confident about getting a job after certification.
- Flexible Schedule
While nursing can be hectic, the scheduling is one of the most flexible in the medical profession. Nurses can choose between night and day shifts. There is also the option of 8-, 10-, or 12-hour shifts. This will depend on the employer and your agreement. Remember, the longer shifts reduce the number of days you have to work in a week. This gives you room to get other jobs or gigs to do on a part-time basis. Or you can use the space to continue your career development by furthering your studies either through in-person instruction or online.
- Room for Career Progression
One of the best things about choosing nursing as a career is that you get to enjoy room for career development. You can easily rise the ranks, expanding your education and attracting more remuneration. Platforms like www.writemyessays.org can offer assignment tips as you focus on other areas of your nursing job. Registered nurses can work their way up to management levels and can even rise to the ranks of administrators. There is also the option of specializing in such areas as palliative care, flight nursing, or hospice. In other words, the nursing profession gives people many options to explore their person of providing quality care to those who need it.
- Job Satisfaction
Another reason why you should consider nursing as a career is that, in addition to the financial gains, your job will be very satisfying. You will enjoy nursing patients to health and getting appreciated by family members for your diligent work. In addition to this, nurses are entitled to amazing benefits like a considerable holiday annually and leave allotments. After retirement, nurses get pensions for the contributions and work done in serving the public. There is also the option to claim considerable tax relief.
- A Supportive Community
Students also choose to pursue nursing because of its supportive community. Work can be lonely at times, and you will need a strong support network to persevere. Unlike most jobs, the nursing profession is communal, and you will always have fellow nurses and administrators to turn to when facing professional and personal challenges. Nurses are always there to support their colleagues when it comes to careers, families, and personal lives. This is important because the healthcare profession is emotionally draining and the schedule can be hectic at times. If you start feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities you carry, reach out for assistance. Other nurses may have gone through similar challenges and will walk you through with advice on how to cope.
- An Engaging Career
Many people like nursing because it keeps them engaged. Practitioners can work flexible hours and use their free time to improve their training and conduct research. The work is interesting and the opportunities for fun, but professional activities are limitless. Nurses are also trusted with making independent decisions, which allows them to enhance their decision-making skills. The experiences you gain as a nurse are transferable, and can suit you elsewhere if you ever choose to switch careers.
How Does One Become a Nurse?
Becoming a nurse isn’t too challenging if you already have a passion for helping others. What you need is a solid nursing education that combines theoretical classwork with clinical experience. Once you become a licensed practitioner, you can still advance your education and get into managerial positions for better remuneration and greater impact. You can also grow your career by choosing to specialize in a subfield like oncology or palliative care. Specializing will improve your attractiveness to hiring managers.
The Bottom Line
Nursing is quite popular among students and continues to grow in demand due to impressive pay, high job satisfaction, and unmatched career progression. Those interested in this field should get the required education and certifications to kickstart their careers. Just remember that, like every other profession, the field of nursing comes with its fair share of challenges.