What Are the Benefits of Becoming a Nurse?

In the most recent Gallup Honesty and Ethics poll, conducted in December 2021, nursing again garnered the rank of “most trusted profession,” a position the profession has held for an impressive 20-years running. Since the poll’s inception in 1990, nursing was only displaced from the number-one-trustworthiness-spot in 2001, when firefighters understandably claimed the top spot.

If you’re looking for a rewarding, challenging career in a highly respected, growing field, a career in nursing fits all of those qualifiers and so much more. We’re all familiar with the ongoing shortage of nurses plaguing hospitals, long-term care facilities, and senior living communities. While everyone understands that we need more nurses, not everyone grasps the benefits a career in nursing offers. Benefits that stretch beyond the opportunity to earn a lucrative, competitive wage.

Let’s explore just a few of the many advantages of a career in nursing, including—

• A deep sense of purpose

For many in the field, being a nurse is more than a profession; it’s a calling. Supporting individuals and families during crises as well as throughout the routine of daily living provides an enormous sense of fulfillment. Many nurses feel that the caregiving career chose them, reinforcing the truth that it is indeed a calling.

• Job stability

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts employment of RNs to grow 9% from 2020 - 2030 and about 194,500 registered nurse openings are projected on average each year.

• Flexible scheduling

A plethora of varying work schedules exists across the scope of nursing positions. From part-time to full-time employment to PRN opportunities, days versus nights, from shorter blocks of hours to the more popular 12-hour shift, from weekday only hours to weekends only and combination schedules, the possibilities for flexibility are nearly endless. With nursing being a 24-hour profession, the potential employment scenarios cannot help but appeal to a wide range of nurses’ personal and family needs.

• Career growth opportunities

More than 200 nursing specialties, including long-term care, Med-Surg, ER, Labor and Delivery, OR and nursing administration, provide ample opportunity for career growth with the perk of a higher salary potential and an ongoing stream of professional options within healthcare. In addition, registered nurses may also take their profession away from the traditional medical setting to work in the justice system or pursue opportunities to write, conduct research or even transition to teaching future nursing students. The possibilities are limitless.

• The chance of a lifetime for explore-the-world adventures

Travel nursing combines the rewards of caring for patients with the opportunity to experience exciting locales and cultures. The typical short-term assignments that are the hallmark of travel nursing appeal to many a nurse’s sense of adventure while offering them the chance to utilize and grow their skillset.

A career in nursing can be a rewarding experience. The team at LeaderStat extends a heartfelt thank you to each person who chooses this career path dedicated to helping others.