Nurses are at the forefront of health care in the United States. Registered nurses provide and coordinate direct patient care services and generally work toward the betterment of public health standards in the country.
If you’ve got a passion for helping other people, you’re empathetic and compassionate, and desire to work in the healthcare industry, this is a career you could pursue.
But why nursing?
Sure, there are a lot of career paths you could take when you have these qualities, but nursing is the standout one. Continue reading as we delve into the various reasons you should consider becoming a nurse.
1. You Won’t Spend Several Years in College
Doctors and nurses are the most in-demand professionals in the healthcare industry.
However, the two professions have vastly different qualification requirements. If you want to become a doctor, you need to complete a bachelor’s degree, then medical school. It takes at least eight years for one to become a doctor of medicine.
On the other hand, nurses don’t spend more than four years in college. In fact, there are three academic paths to becoming a nurse.
The longest involves pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing. These nursing programs typically take four years to complete. You can also get started by pursuing a diploma or associate’s degree in nursing.
The gist of the matter is if you have to choose between becoming a doctor and a nurse, and you don’t want to spend several years in college, then nursing is the clear winner.
2. A Steady Job Outlook
Nobody wants to pursue a career that doesn’t have plenty of job openings.
If you’re considering how soon you’ll get hired after completing a nursing program and obtaining a license to practice, there’s an awesome surprise for you. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of registered nurses will grow 12 percent through the next decade. Considering that the average growth rate for all occupations in the U.S. is 5 percent, it’s fair to say there’s a good demand for qualified nurses.
This demand is fueled by the aging boomer generation. As a result, the number of people seeking healthcare services will keep rising.
3. Competitive Salary
At the end of the day, it’s what you take home that counts. A good salary doesn’t just keep you motivated or enhance your job satisfaction. It also improves your overall quality of life.
This is one of the reasons you should pursue a career in nursing. In 2019, the mean annual wage for nurses was $72,180. The highest earners pocketed $102,990.
For context, median household income in the United States is $56,516.
See? Nurses earn much more!
4. A Variety of Employers
Most qualified nurses work in public and private hospitals, but if this isn’t your preferred work environment, don’t fret. You can find employment in nursing homes, physicians’ offices, ambulatory health centers, and educational institutions.
Such a wide range of potential work settings gives you the flexibility to find a nursing job that really suits you.
Why Nursing? Now You Know!
If you were asking or wondering, “Why nursing?” you now have a couple of compelling reasons why this career would be ideal for you. From the relatively easy qualification requirements to the solid job outlook and competitive salary, you have every reason to become a nurse.
Check out our career page for nursing opportunities.