Choosing a career path is an important decision you’ll make in your life, and nursing is often considered by those who are passionate about helping others. But is nursing a good career? From job stability to earning potential, there are a lot of factors to consider in a nursing career path. You should start by making sure a nursing career aligns with your personality, needs, and career goals. No matter what avenue you pursue in nursing, you will need:
- Stamina
- Strong communication skills
- Adaptability
- Empathy
- A strong stomach (in some cases)
Do these skills and qualities sound like you, or sound like something you feel you can learn? Read on to discover the advantages and challenges of nursing as a career, and the wide variety of job specializations available if you decide to go this route.
Explore the Dorsey College nursing programs!
Understanding a Nursing career path
One great thing about a nursing career path is that it is diverse. There are many different specializations out there that can be tailored to fit your interests and goals.
Starting as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a registered nurse (RN), you can advance to specialized roles or even leadership positions. While working as an LPN or RN, you can gain valuable experience and training to continue your career growth. This flexibility allows you to grow and evolve within the field, making nursing a dynamic and ever-changing career choice.
After completing your education to become an LPN or RN, you can enroll in other education programs to help you advance into different nursing career paths, including:
- Nurse Anesthetist
- Certified Nurse Midwife
- ER Nurse
- Nurse Educator
- Critical Care Nurse
- And more
Advantages of Pursuing nursing as a career
What are the big advantages in becoming a nurse? What makes nursing a good career? There are quite a few, but the top reasons you may discover as you research becoming a nurse include:
- A high demand for nurses
- Opportunities to make a positive impact
- Good earning potential
- Diverse working environments
1. High Demand for Nurses
One of the most compelling reasons to consider nursing as a career is the high demand for nurses. Many people born during the “baby boomer” years are now retiring and seeing increased healthcare needs. This aging population makes nurses essential in nearly every corner of the world. 1. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of registered nurses is projected to grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. Although no job is 100% secure, the demand for nursing careers means there is job security and lots of opportunities for those entering the nursing profession.
2. Opportunities to Make a Positive Impact
Nursing is not just a job! It’s also a way to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Your daily duties include more than just physical treatment for patients, whether you’re:
- Helping a patient recover from surgery
- Offering emotional support to families
- Providing end-of-life care
- Listening to a patient’s concerns or needs
The impact you have as a nurse is profound. It’s important to remember that another day on the job for you could be the worst or best day of a patient’s life. You’ll need to show up and practice empathy daily. The ability to positively affect someone’s life daily is a powerful motivator for many who choose a career in nursing.
3. Potential for Good Earnings
While nursing is often seen as a career driven by compassion, the potential for good earnings is also a motivating factor for a nursing career path. Registered nurses, on average, can earn a competitive salary. If you choose a specialized role or advanced degree (like becoming a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist), there are opportunities for more earnings, too. This financial reward can be a significant factor for those considering nursing as a career.
4. Diverse working environments
Another advantage of a career in nursing is the variety of working environments available. Nurses typically work in:
- Hospitals
- Private clinics
- Nursing homes
- Schools
- Patients’ homes or other private facilities
The diversity in places to work is a big reason many people choose nursing as a career. This flexibility in work settings allows nurses to choose a workplace that aligns with their preferences, whether it’s the fast-paced environment of an emergency room or the more personal setting of home healthcare. Additionally, nurses can specialize in different fields such as pediatrics, geriatrics, oncology, or mental health, further broadening their options when it comes to places to work.
Different Nursing Career Options
Now that you know a bit more about nursing as a career path, it’s important to consider where you want to go. Nursing offers a wide range of career options, each with its own unique responsibilities and opportunities for growth. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance your career, there are numerous paths and education programs you can take within the nursing profession, including:
- Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)
- Registered Nursing (RN)
- Other specialized nursing roles
Licensed practical nurse (LPN)
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) provide basic nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses and doctors. They typically complete a one-year training program and must pass a licensing exam.3 If this is the nursing career path you choose, you can learn the information you need for the licensing exam through a quality education program.
LPNs are often responsible for monitoring patients’ health, administering basic care, and assisting with daily activities. This role is an excellent entry point into the nursing field, offering hands-on experience and the opportunity to further your education and career.
Registered Nurse (RN)
Registered Nurses (RNs) play a vital role in the healthcare system. They are responsible for:
- Providing and coordinating patient care
- Educating patients about health conditions
- Implementing treatment plans
- Offering support to patients and their families
- Managing LPNs, CNAs, and others
To become an RN, you need to complete a nursing program, which can range from a two-year associate degree to a four-year bachelor’s degree in nursing. After completing the program, RNs must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to obtain their license. RNs can work in various specialties, such as surgery, emergency care, or intensive care, and can pursue advanced degrees to move into leadership or specialized roles.
Specialized Nursing Roles
For those looking for even more specialized roles in nursing, there are a wide variety of options. These specialized roles usually offer a pathway to greater responsibility, higher earnings, and the ability to focus on specific areas of healthcare. They also often require additional training and/or experience. Some of these types of roles include:
- Nursing Practitioner (NP), who work independently or in collaboration with doctors for primary and specialty care services
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), who are experts in specific area of nursing such as pediatrics or oncology
- Nurse Anesthetist (CRN), who focus on administering anesthesia and providing care before, during, and after surgery
- Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), who specialize in women’s reproductive health, labor and delivery, and postpartum care
- Nurse Educator, who train and mentor people who want to become nurses in academic or clinical settings
Once you decide which nursing career path you want to take, you can research the education requirements for that position and plan to achieve your goals.
The challenges of being a nurse
While nursing is a rewarding career, it is not without its challenges. There are physical, emotional, and mental demands that you will not find in other career paths. It’s important to be aware of these challenges before committing to a career in nursing.
One of the most significant issues every nurse deals with is the physical demands of the job. Nurses often work long hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays. The job can also be physically taxing, as it involves lifting patients, standing for extended periods, and performing tasks that require fine motor skills. These demands can lead to physical strain and injuries if not managed properly. How do you manage this challenge in nursing? Stretching, learning proper lifting techniques, and even physical therapy may be helpful.
The emotional toll of nursing can also be considerable. Nurses often deal with life-and-death situations, which can be emotionally draining. They are also exposed to the suffering of patients and their families. They witness families realize they’ve lost a loved one, and sometimes their patients pass away. This can be very mentally draining and can lead to compassion fatigue or burnout over time. It’s essential for nurses to have strong support systems, to take time off, and to practice self-care to maintain their emotional well-being.
Another challenge in nursing is the need for continual learning and adaptation. Healthcare is an ever-evolving field, and nurses must stay up to date with the latest medical knowledge, technologies, and best practices. This requires a commitment to lifelong learning, which can be both time-consuming and demanding.
This may sound like a lot to carry, and it is! However, these challenges also highlight the importance of advocating for better working conditions and participating in professional organizations that work to improve the nursing profession. There are many ways you can get involved if you decide to pursue a nursing career path. Advocacy, strong boundaries, and community will be key parts in providing balance in your career.
Get on the path to your new career with Dorsey College nursing programs
If you’re ready to start a nursing career in Michigan, Dorsey College offers robust and in-depth programs to help you achieve your goals! Both of our nursing programs are designed to help you meet Michigan’s requirements for becoming a nurse and get started in a career all about helping others. Dorsey College offers two programs:
Learn more about how to get started on your nursing career path with Dorsey College!
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational-nurses.htm
