Choose Nursing As a Career

Years ago It seemed like so many little girls wanted to be a nurse when they grew up. Not so today and that is really too bad, because nursing is a great career for both women and men. Nursing is one of the most rewarding and exciting careers in the job market and nursing is its own unique profession that has multiple career paths. Hopefully after reading this hub, some may decide to research nursing to see if it may be a good career choice for them.

If you're thinking about changing careers or deciding on which career to choose for your life, consider the choice of nursing as a career. If you have compassion for mankind, a kind heart and love for life, then becoming a registered nurse may be a good choice for you.

Today there are many career paths to take, but with the instability of the job market it would be wise for one to consider which careers can endure during shaky economical times. Nursing is one of those careers that can for the most part hold its own when times are tough. Even though the medical industry has also taken a financial hit, registered nurses are always needed.

With the world's population living longer and needing more healthcare, it is projected that by the year 2020 there will be a shortage of 800,000 nurses. Nurses salary have increased over the years with the median starting salary for a staff nurse being $65,000. Depending on which type of institution you choose to work for, increases in salary are usually given on a yearly basis. A nurse will earn more when working in a specialty clinic or with obtaining a bachelor's degree. (discovernursing.com) and (salary.com)

Registered nurses are needed in hospitals, clinics, private physicians offices, schools, nursing homes, veterans clinics and veterans homes, nursing homes, businesses and a number of other places. Registered nurses can also work in a home care setting educating clients about their disease processes and promoting healthy living styles. Registered nurses can specialize in specific areas such as nephrology, cardiology, oncology, obstetrics, pediatrics, hospice, psychology and other areas,

Travel nursing is really a wonderful opportunity for nurses to work practically anywhere around the world with having many of their everyday living expenses paid for in addition to a lucrative salary. Just imaging being a travel nurse in Hawaii, I know I'd love that!!!

There are several educational options to beecoming a registered nurse:

• By studying at a community college and earning an associates degree over two years will allow you to take your state board exam, the NCLEX, for a profesisonal registered nurse.
• By attending a 4 year college, one can obtain a bachelors of science degree in nursing and also take the NCLEX state board exam.
• Some hospitals, although not that many now, offer 3 year diploma programs towards becoming a registered nurse. After completing this course, the student is eligible to sit for the NCLEX state board exam.
• There are multiple bridge options for LPN's wanting to become a registered nurse including online courses of study through many different colleges and universities. These courses are usually 1 year long and allow the student to sit for the NCLEX exam.
• There are graduate degree level programs and doctorate degree level programs where students can continue their education to become nurse practitioners, midwives, nurse anesthesists, professors, researchers, administrators or CEOs. The opportunities are endless.

In addition to the high tech medical procedures registered nurses perform, how rewarding it is to help patients who cannot help themselves. Advocating for a patient who cannot advocate for him or herself. Comforting an elderly resident in a nursing home who does not have any family. Caring for a baby in a facility who may not have any parents and assisting in finding a loving adoptive home for him or her. The areas are endless in which your skills and compassion will be needed.

There will always be people who need help and therefore there will always be a need for nurses. Even doctors can't work efficiently without registered nurse. They write the medical orders, prescribe the medical treatments but without registered nurses these tasks can not be carried out.

Nurses are the ones who spend the most time with patients educating them about their disease processes, health needs, medications and so much more.  Doctors are usually too busy to do this and delegate the responsibility to the nurse.

If this hub has intrigued you to think about nursing as a career, check out the links below for more information and always feel free to call your local community college or university for information on the nursing programs they have to offer.

Also remember that the nursing courses can be taken on a part-time basis if you're already working full time at another job.