Nursing can be an amazing career to get
into, and it’s easy to see why so many people are attracted to it. It can be a
stable job, there is plenty of opportunities to progress, and you get to help
people in their time of need. However, although there are many benefits to
being a nurse, it isn’t the right job for everybody, and there will be
challenges in this role that some might not want to experience. If you think
nursing could be the right career choice for you, make sure you’re considering
the following before you take any steps to pursue it.
Education
Firstly, if you want to become a nurse, you
will need to get the relevant qualifications to do so. You will need to get a
college degree in nursing to pursue this career, so you must make sure that
you’re willing to dedicate your time to these studies. You should also be aware
that if you want to advance in your nursing career, you may have to return to
education to get higher qualifications relevant to the role you’re interested
in. You can fit your studies around work by enrolling in an online degree
program such as the Excelsior’s
Nursing Jumpstart program for those who already have an associate degree in
nursing.
The Different Career Paths
Although it might be a little early to know
for sure which career path in nursing you would like to follow, having some
ideas about which roles interest you will be beneficial. There are lots of
opportunities that you can follow within nursing, whether that’s becoming an FNP
(Family Nurse Practitioner), working in mental health, sexual health,
nutrition management, or become Head Nurse at your place of employment. There
are also various working environments that you can be in, some of which might
be preferable to others. So take the time to do a bit of research in these early
stages to see what you think you’d like to pursue, as this can help you form a
plan for your career.
It’s Not an Easy Job
There will be many moments in your career
as a nurse that will be incredibly uplifting and positive, but there will also
be many times when things get very tough. It is not an easy job, and you might
have to face some very difficult situations with patients and their loved ones.
Sometimes these interactions might become abusive towards you or make you feel
uncomfortable in other ways. You’ll also be working in high-pressure
environments, especially if you’re working in a hospital in the ER department
and working long shifts, including weekends. So while you will toughen up on
the job, you need to have a certain level of resilience
naturally if you’re going to make it as a nurse, as well as good memory and
patience when it comes to dealing with your patients, as you’ll have to have an
excellent bedside manner.
Nursing can certainly be a wonderful career
choice for the right person, but it’s important to make sure that it will be a
good fit for you before you pursue this career. So consider the points above
and let them help you decide if becoming a nurse is the right thing for you.
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