Here’s What You Need To Know About a Career in Nursing
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Nursing is an expansive profession, with various specialties and roles for every education level. When choosing a nursing career path, take into consideration your job likes and dislikes, network with current nurses, and join a professional organization. The profession is extremely rewarding, but also comes with its own set of challenges to be aware of. If you love helping others and are willing to go to nursing school, this may be the career for you.?
In the U.S., nursing is the largest profession within healthcare and a high-demand career.??
LinkedIn recently reported that nursing, specifically registered nurses , is one of the most in-demand jobs right now. In fact, registered nurses currently top the list of frontline and entry-level jobs with the fastest-growing demand, followed by software engineers and salespeople. The future of work is ever-changing, but nursing professionals will always be needed.
If you’re in your early career stages, still in school or looking to pivot , here’s what you need to know about a potential career in nursing.?
The Nursing Profession Is Vast
One great thing about nursing is that there are many specialties that you can work in at every education level.?
Southern New Hampshire University lists several of the most popular nursing types, including (in no particular order):?
And this list is just a small snapshot into possible nursing career paths. With so many different types of nurses (and accompanying salaries), it can be difficult to know which one is best for you. You’ll need to take into consideration what you want from a job.
Choosing Your Nursing Path
As with any job, you need to determine why you want to pursue a specific nursing career, even if you’re still in college .
Sarah Wells, MSN, RN, CEN, CNL , a proven nurse leader and innovator with 10-plus years of experience, is passionate about elevating the level of care at the organization and people’s nursing careers. I spoke with her to gain some insight into how to best pick a nursing specialty and education/training path. She shares three pieces of advice, broken down below.?
1. Self-Assessment
When it comes to picking a nursing specialty, she recommends taking a self-assessment to determine your job “likes” and “dislikes”.?
“Do you like to be on the move or seated at a desk during your work day? Do you like structure or is variety something that you value? Do you like a high-stress environment or want to be in a slower-paced setting?,” says Wells. “These are important things to think about and will help inform your decision on what path of nursing education and potential roles to pursue.”
Maybe salary is a major deciding factor? Nurse salaries across the board have risen, as demand continues to grow.?
The Wall Street Journal reports that the average annual salary for registered nurses grew about 4% in the first nine months of 2021 to $81,376 (not including bonus pay). And as healthcare employers strive to be competitive, some nurses have been able to secure better work benefits , like flexible work schedules.?
2. Do Your Own Research
As a job seeker, it’s your responsibility to do thorough research into your desired career. Wells also states that researching the nursing profession can help you see what is available. For example, a quick Google search can reveal a lot of information about nursing, from top schools, hospitals and pay.?
“Nursing is vast and has all kinds of roles and specialties. You can look online. I recommend looking on job sites, like LinkedIn , to see what jobs are posted and then try to find people who actually work in those fields. Nurses are often very open to being contacted related to their work,” she says.
This intentional networking is a wonderful way to get firsthand information into the day-to-day of certain nursing specialties, helping you find the best fit for yourself. You can easily set up a quick informational interview with a nursing professional in your desired field or at your dream employer. Ask questions, says Wells … and practice active listening .?
“Reach out to people and ask them questions! There is no better source of info on what a job is like than a person who is actually working in it.”
3. Join a Professional Nursing Organization
Finally, Wells strongly encourages any nursing student to join a professional nursing organization, like the American Nursing Association (ANA) or American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) . Membership to any one organization, which caters to a wide range of specialties, demographics and more, has various benefits, like networking opportunities, career development and lifelong learning.
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“These are groups that help set standards for practice, promote research, offer continuing education and leadership opportunities. I have been a very active member of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) over the years. Both memberships helped shape my career and took me places that I never would have otherwise considered,” Wells says.
You can find a categorized list of nursing organizations at nurse.org .
The Reality of Nursing
Nursing is a fantastic career for those who want to be of service to others.?
The profession offers a wide variety of benefits, says Wells, including:?
“Further, the field of healthcare is constantly growing, so job security is guaranteed,” she adds. “Even if one door closes on a nursing role, there are endless opportunities to retrain and gain new skills and employment without ever having to go back to school.”
While nursing is an incredibly impactful career with many benefits, it’s by no means easy.
?Beth Kutscher , senior managing editor at LinkedIn News, recently covered the stark reality faced by many nurses — deteriorating work conditions . And the word “burnout ” barely scratches — actually it fails to convey — the surface of what doctors and nurses deal with on a daily basis.?
Healthcare workers, globally, experience high levels of mental health disorders , decreased work conditions and morale , and workplace violence (nursing is one of the most dangerous healthcare jobs ). Any prospective nurse must have a love for working for and with others.
“What I think needs to be emphasized for those considering a career in nursing is the need to really love working with others. Healthcare is the ultimate team sport, and you will always be relying on other care team members to support you in your work,” says Wells.?
“It is also very important to know that while there can be so much joy in nursing, there is also a lot of stress and sadness … It is essential to have a plan to care for your mental and physical well-being and to have a support system in place when you start a career in nursing. Whether you are at a desk or working at the bedside, nursing takes a toll on the nurse.”
You’ll need to proactively maintain and build your mental and physical health while working in what Wells views as an otherwise wonderful and long career.
You can learn more about the healthcare world by subscribing to Kutscher’s weekly newsletter, Path to Recovery .
Your Education Will Take You Far
To even have a career in nursing, you need to go to nursing school . There’s no way around it.
“All nurses must go through nursing school,” says Wells. “There are associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s level degree programs for first-time nurses. Research the various programs in your area to see what might be a good fit for you and your career goals!”
And consider getting a job in healthcare, before hopping into nursing (or spending money on a degree).?
“I think roles that allow someone to put [their] hands on patients are the best. These roles can include: certified nursing assistant (CNA), emergency medical technician (EMT), patient care tech (PCT) and many more,” Well says.?
It’s important to determine whether you like helping people face-to-face because, according to Wells, all nursing roles are based on patient care experience. She also states that the ideal candidate for any nursing career is someone “who likes people, enjoys working in a team, has a passion for learning, is able to adapt to changing environments, and feels fulfilled after helping others.”
If you need help finding a nursing school or program, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is a good resource.
“Nursing is generally not a job that can be done just for the paycheck,” Wells says. “A nurse has to also find joy in their patient care work to have a long and sustainable career.”
Top Takeaways?
Nursing is an in-demand profession, filled with several specialties and roles.