Check out some of the benefits of being a nurse to see if it's the right career for you.
5 Benefits of Being a Nurse
Nursing is an exciting, fast-growing, and in-demand field. Becoming a nurse can be highly rewarding and offers many benefits for professionals. While being a nurse is by no means an easy career to undertake, it is absolutely a rewarding one. If you are looking into a career in healthcare, here are five benefits of being a nurse that could help make your decision easier.
Benefit #1- Nurses are in high demand
Going into a career in healthcare has never been more needed than today. Skilled and compassionate nurses are in high demand. No matter where you are in the world, the skills and knowledge that you carry as a nurse hold value and are vital. In fact, the need for nurses will grow, promising job security for nurses both old and new.
Benefit #2- Opportunity for growth
Advancing in your career as a nurse is easier than in many other occupations. There are many opportunities you can take to grow in your career, such as receiving a Master’s in Nursing or a Doctorate in Nursing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, opportunities for nurse practitioners are projected to grow 45 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. If you are an asset to the facility you work for, it’s likely that they will provide tuition benefits for furthering your nursing education. And of course, along with career advancement comes an increase in pay.
Benefit #3- High earning potential
The income for nurses is pretty good. As a registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree, the BLS estimates the median salary as $75,000 per year. Additionally, a master’s or doctorate in nursing earns more because of their extra training and education.
Benefit #4- Variety of work settings
Being a nurse doesn’t mean you are limited to one specialty or setting. Nurses are able to work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, in-homes, or even travel for their job. You also have a variety of specialties to work in depending on your interests and strengths.
Specialties can include:
- Pediatrics
- Obstetrics
- Neonatal
- Mental Health
- Geriatrics
- Women’s Health
- Oncology
- Emergency Room
- Labor and Delivery
- Trauma
There are many specialties in need of nurses. Therefore, exploring multiple areas of interest is easier for nurses to do.
Benefit #5- Making a difference
Nurses have more direct contact with patients than most other medical specialists. In general, it is the quality of the nursing staff that will have the most effect on a patient’s experience in the healthcare setting. Nurses save lives and improve the quality of life for their patients. If your goal is to truly change people’s lives, nursing may be the perfect career for you.
Ready to become a nurse?
Concordia University offers many flexible options for you to start your path to being a nurse. Feel free to contact our admissions team. They are ready to answer your questions and help you reach your goals.
— Maddie Schueller is the Content Marketing Lead for Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor. In her free time, she enjoys listening to podcasts, anything music-related, and hanging out with her husband and daughter.
If this story has inspired you, why not explore how you can help further Concordia's mission through giving.