(407) 574-8411
1722 W. Oak Ridge Rd. Orlando, FL 32809
(407) 574-8411
1722 W. Oak Ridge Rd. Orlando, FL 32809
There are many paths to settle upon when choosing a career. The advent of technology and ease of access to information provide career seekers many options to choose from, but what make nursing attractive is a combination of job security, growth opportunities, and making a profound impact on those in need of care. Here at Hajgden International College, we are committed to guiding our students and prospects to a career field that is financially rewarding and motivates them for the foreseeable future. Here are the top 10 reasons to consider a career in nursing.
Demand
In the United States, nurses are among the most highly sought-after professionals. Data shows a recent surge in demand for male nurses. There are many reasons why this demand is prevalent, which has an aging baby boomer population as one of the leading causes. 82 million individuals who were born between 1946 and 1964 will be 65 years or older by 2030. As boomers age so will their demand for geriatric healthcare, which will subsequently raise the need for nursing assistance.
Declining Workforce
Additionally, experienced nurses who are tenured in the field are retiring en masse leading to a nursing shortage. According to recent surveys from the Health Resources and Services Administration, the median age for an RN is 50 indicating that nearly a quarter of all nurses will exit the profession within the next 15 years. This drastic workforce decline will contribute to the demand for new nursing professionals.
Staff Shortages
Lastly, many healthcare facilities deal with workforce shortages causing them to over schedule their current nursing staff. Naturally, working long hours on a continuum could lead to stress and nursing burnout causing professionals to quit the profession altogether. Shortly after the Covid-19 pandemic, the turnover rate for nursing professionals fluctuated between 8% and 37% across U.S. geographic regions in 2022. This statistic further solidifies the need for additional well-trained nursing professionals.
Nursing Career Paths
There are numerous nursing career paths to choose from based on preference or lifestyle. The profession is constantly evolving due to ongoing research and new discoveries, which provide nursing professionals the leverage to select the environment, location, and settings that suits them best. For instance, nurses can choose to work in a hospital setting, which is the most common option, or they can choose to apply their skills and knowledge beyond a stationary bed. Nurses can offer their services at the following locations:
Additionally, once a registered nurse (RN), there are over 100 specialties to choose from to either stay in healthcare or pursue opportunities beyond healthcare. Hajgden International College (HIC) offers some of the most demanded nursing tracks such as:
Earning Potential
The nurse salary makes it one of the most financially rewarding professions in the job market. In 2023, the median salary for RN was $86,070 according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. In states like California and New York, the median salaries for RNs are $137,690 and $106, 620, respectively. Professionals who opt to continue education or earn more certifications can significantly bolster their earning potential beyond these average median salaries.
Flexibility
Nursing is one of the few professions in which professionals can set their own schedules around their obligations, which can be a strong benefit for working parents and those with limited time. Depending on the employer or the setting, nursing professionals may get to work 8-, 10- or 12- hour shifts. The selection of hours or arrangements in nursing scheduling may shorten the workweek for some professionals leaving time with three to four days off in a week depending on the employer.
Additionally, nurses have the option to pick up extra hours or work gig shifts in arrangements such as travel nursing where professionals can choose assignments based on the locations.
The nature of the nursing profession with all its demand makes great for flexible scheduling, which works in the benefit of both the employers and employees.
Travel Opportunities
Those who enjoy traveling are going to love the ample opportunities that travel nursing provides as it became a booming sub-industry born because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Travel nurse jobs, on average, offers higher hourly wages in comparison to traditional nursing allowing nursing professionals to maximize the amount they can earn in each week or month. In rural areas where nursing staff shortages remain prevalent, travel nursing offers professionals the opportunity to experience new cities and regions while making a difference in their field. In conclusion, traveling nurse jobs allows professionals to create a work-life balance by offsetting the frequency at which they are punching the clock with the extra earnings to create time to explore new experiences, hobbies, and other interests.
Growth Opportunities
As nursing professionals become more experienced in their respective roles and upon fulfilling their educational requirements, the opportunities for advancement become plentiful. There are many opportunities for professional growth in nursing leading to managerial roles or move into an advance-practice area based on the location.
By earning certifications and more education, nursing professionals even have the option to occupy administrative nursing positions or venture in educational settings where they can leverage their expertise to educate the next generation at renowned institutions.
Lack of Diversity
According to the study by the Journal of Nursing Regulation, nearly 80 percent of all nurses in the U.S. are Caucasian, which accounts for approximately 3,480,388 nursing professionals. The remainder of the registered nurse population is split between other minority groups in which approximately 275,607 registered nurses are African Americans, and 319,695 registered nurses are Asians. For professionals who identify as minorities, there are many opportunities to help increase representation in the nursing field.
Making an Impact
Nursing professionals contribute to society in a plethora of ways that cannot be solely quantified by monetary gain. Nursing professionals are leaders, innovators, patient advocates who dedicate their time and energy to improve patient outcomes across communities throughout the country and beyond.
By committing to the nursing profession, one gets the chance to make a direct impact through trust and quality of care. Nurses are addressing issues beyond the scope of nursing such as disparity, injustice, and representation. Therefore, choosing a nursing career path is an act of servitude, which the world respects and appreciates.
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