Whether you’re fresh out of high school, in college deciding what to do next, or looking for a new career path after being in the workforce for a few years, nursing is a great option. If you love working with people, are interested in science, and want a fast-paced job on your feet, there are multiple nursing jobs that may interest you.
Learn More About Pros and Cons to Working in Healthcare
If you’re deciding on a career move, here are six reasons why you should pursue a career in nursing.
1. Outstanding Job Security
When it comes to job security, you can’t beat a healthcare career, particularly in nursing.
Automation is replacing some jobs, while other industries are fading into near extinction as there’s no longer a demand. And some jobs will always be volatile, with a high potential for turnover—and layoffs.
Nurses, however, will always have job security. We will always need healthcare, no matter how advanced our future tech becomes, and nurses are at the front of the healthcare industry.
It also doesn’t hurt that we’ve been in a nursing shortage for nearly a decade, which has only increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. So even if you quit your job at one facility, it likely won’t take long before you can secure another. Travel nursing and PRN work are additional options if you’re looking for temporary work.
2. It’s a Well-Respected Career
Everyone knows that nurses are the backbone of healthcare. They know that nurses work hard physically, mentally, and emotionally to keep their patients safe, happy, and healthy. As a result, nursing is an incredibly well-respected career.
While everyone should choose a job they love, having a career that’s widely regarded as valuable and esteemed can be an asset. One study found that 89% of surveyors trusted nurses and that nursing was considered “the most trusted” profession.
3. You Can Choose a Schedule That Works for You
Once you get your nursing license and become a registered nurse (RN), a lot of doors open up. More open doors means more flexibility, allowing you to get a say in what kind of work-life balance you have.
A traditionally-employed grant writer, for example, is typically going to have to work a nine-to-five job. A school teacher must work the hours of the school where they teach, Monday through Friday.
Nurses, however, have a lot more flexibility to choose a job position that suits their schedule. Want to only work three or four days a week and still get full-time benefits? You can choose a job at a facility with longer half-day shifts but plenty of days off. Prefer the nine-to-five? You can work as a nurse for a provider in a family care practice.
And if you want to truly set your schedule, you can look at PRN work, through which you’ll work as an independent contractor. You can request individual shifts that fit your schedule, with no minimum or maximum to how much you work at different facilities near you. Learn more here.
4. There Are Opportunities to Travel
It’s not uncommon to hear nurses talking about working their days and then taking four days off to vacation somewhere glamorous. These vacations could be a staycation nearby just for a change of pace and a romantic getaway or four days in another country.
Most jobs only give workers two days off a week. Having four days off and requesting additional time off as nurses build up vacation hours grants an enormous amount of potential for travel.
5. It’s Not Your Average Boring Desk Job
Some people can’t stand the thought of standard work hours Monday through Friday, sitting in a cubicle at a desk for eight hours a day.
Nursing can be an excellent choice for you if you like the following:
- Working directly with a variety of different people, as new patients come day in and day out
- Being on your feet more than sitting at a desk
- Unique shifts, with a variety of different challenges that you’ll need to tackle daily
- Problem-solving on the spot
- Continuing education in an exciting, fast-developing field
And keep in mind that if desk jobs are your thing, some nurses prefer to go into education or administration. These jobs may have more standard responsibilities, such as those you may typically find in a conventional business job, so there really is something out there for everyone as long as you enjoy continued education.
6. You Know You’re Making a Difference
Millennial and Gen Z workers are increasingly looking for jobs that allow them to feel that they’re contributing to the world in a positive way. They want to make a difference. Wanting to make a real, quantifiable difference day to day, is only one of many reasons to pursue a career in nursing.
When you’re caring for patients, you can have a direct impact on their recovery. Being particularly gentle can make procedures less painful, and a supportive, positive presence can reduce any embarrassment, stress, fear, or unhappiness they’re feeling. It’s hard to be a patient in need of care or in recovery, and you can turn that around for them.
When we asked real nurses what they loved most about their careers, the ability to help people was what they loved most. While all the other benefits are exceptional, this is what seems to bring many nurses to the profession.
Are you considering a career in nursing? Check out our blog for resources on everything you need to know!
