However, any professional nurse will agree that the benefits of being a nurse outweigh the drawbacks. This is because nurses can help patients through some of the most challenging and vulnerable times of their lives. Besides, nurses live a comfortable life, and they enjoy job security.
Let’s look at the pros and cons of being a nurse to help you determine whether this is the right career for you.
The pros of a nursing career
Before delving into the pros of nursing, you must understand that it’s essential to have a passion for helping others before starting a career in nursing. Anyone who goes into nursing for money or job security risks being unhappy and unsatisfied in this profession. The following are the pros of becoming a nurse.
Better pay and job security
One of the main reasons people choose nursing as a profession is job security and better pay. The healthcare industry always needs nurses, so you will never have to worry about being unemployed. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted that the demand for nurses will rise by 15% from 2016 to 2026—which is much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations.
Besides job security, nurses also enjoy a comfortable salary. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for registered nurses was $75,000 in 2020. And if you have experience or specialize in a certain area of nursing, you can earn even more.
You can make a difference in someone’s life
If you want to join a profession where you can genuinely make a difference in someone’s life, nursing is the right career. Nurses often spend the most time with patients and their families—providing not only medical care but also emotional support.
For instance, if a patient is going through a difficult treatment, a nurse will be by their side throughout the process, providing encouragement and hope. Likewise, if a patient dies, it’s the nurse who will console the family members and help them through this tough time. It’s these little things that make nursing such a rewarding profession.
You can work in different settings
Another great thing about nursing is that you’re not restricted to working in one setting. If you get bored working in a hospital, you can always switch to working in a nursing home, doctor’s office, or even starting your own home healthcare business. What’s more, if you don’t want to work full-time, you can always opt for part-time or per diem positions.For example, when navigating the diverse opportunities in travel nursing, crafting a travel nurse resume becomes essential to showcase your adaptable skills and experiences across various healthcare settings. Utilizing a well-designed resume template tailored to travel nursing can effectively communicate your flexibility, clinical expertise, and commitment to delivering quality patient care to prospective employers.This flexibility is one of the main reasons many people choose nursing as their career.
You can specialize in a certain area
If you want to further your career in nursing, you can always specialize in a certain area. For instance, you can become a certified midwife, anesthetist, or pediatric nurse. Or you could also specialize in a specific disease or condition such as cancer, diabetes, or cardiac care. According to the USA international nursing jobs agency, Connetics USA, this will not only allow you to earn more money, but it will also give you a chance to gain more knowledge and expertise in the field. Plus, it will make you more marketable and employable.
The cons of a nursing career
The thing with most nursing cons is that nurses always find a way to ease the seriousness of these drawbacks. However, the drawbacks without workarounds require the most attention because they are the ones that people look at when deciding whether or not to join the healthcare industry. Here are the cons of the nursing career.
Long hours and shift work
One of the biggest downsides of being a nurse is that you’ll often have to work long hours and shifts—especially if you’re working in a hospital. For instance, you may have to work 12-hour shifts, which can be quite tiring.
If you have young children at home, it can be especially challenging to juggle your nurse and parent responsibilities. What’s more, you may also have to work night shifts, weekends, and holidays. This can make it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Stressful job
Another downside of being a nurse is that it can be a very stressful job. You will often have to deal with sick patients, anxious family members, and demanding doctors and surgeons. Plus, you will also have to deal with the constant threat of exposure to diseases and infections. And if you make a mistake, it could have serious consequences for the patient. All of this can lead to a lot of stress and anxiety.
Physical demands
Another con of being a nurse is that it can be a physically demanding job. You will often have to lift and move patients and carry out other physical tasks. This can put a lot of strain on your body, leading to injuries. Plus, if you’re working long hours, you may not get enough time to take care of your health.
Emotional demands
In addition to the physical demands, nursing can also be an emotionally demanding job. This is because you will be constantly exposed to sick patients and their families. You will also see patients in a lot of pain and some who may even be dying. This can take an emotional toll on you, and if you’re not careful, it can lead to compassion fatigue.
Limited career progression
Another downside of nursing is that there is limited career progression. Once you become a registered nurse, there are only so many ways to advance in your career. Sure, you can specialize in a certain area or become a nurse manager or educator, but the truth is that your options are still quite limited. This can be quite frustrating for nurses who want to further their careers.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are both pros and cons to a career in nursing. So, if you’re considering becoming a nurse, it’s important to weigh all of these factors carefully before making a decision. Of course, the decision ultimately comes down to you and what you want out of your career. But if you do decide to become a nurse, you can rest assured knowing that you’ve chosen a challenging and rewarding profession.
Nurse Career Guide: Pros & Cons
Nursing is one of the most exciting, in-demand, and fastest-growing fields. For anyone who desires to help other people and find fulfillment and meaning in their life, pursuing nursing can be the best option. Like any other career, nursing comes with tons of benefits—and it also has some drawbacks. Thus, it’s important to take your time to determine both the benefits and drawbacks of the nursing career before joining the industry.
The healthcare industry is naturally challenging. Here, you will find a lot of messy and stressful situations, which you will need to deal with as a nurse.
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