Of the many potential paths in healthcare, nursing stands out as a fulfilling and exciting option. If you’re interested in the reasons to become a nurse, you’re not alone—the number of RN positions is rapidly growing in the US at a rate 20 times higher than other jobs.
As frontline workers, nurses are an integral part of our healthcare system, and they enjoy benefits like job security, flexible hours, diverse specializations, and more.
Read on to discover why nursing is a rewarding career path and how to get started on your nursing school journey.
Introduction to Nursing as a Career
Nurses are licensed professionals who provide patient-centered care to people of all ages and walks of life. The telltale scrubs aside, a lot goes into their day-to-day responsibilities, and the personal and professional fulfillment make those long shifts worth it.
What Makes Nursing a Rewarding Profession?
Overall, nursing boils down to two words: helping others. It is an extremely rewarding job that allows you to make a lasting difference for other people. From providing compassionate bedside care to literally saving lives, the impact of nurses is immeasurable, bringing a deep sense of fulfillment and passion to the profession.
Nursing is a particularly patient-centered role. For instance, hospital patients may not remember the doctors who performed tests or scribbled on their charts, but they will remember the nurses who checked their vitals, brought snacks, chatted with them, and always had a friendly face.
Overview of the Nursing Field Today
There are an estimated 4.3 million RNs actively licensed across the country, with 3.5 million of them working as nurses. Over 80% of nurses work full-time, and 5% are employed as travel nurses.
Despite these numbers, nursing is not a saturated field, and there are plenty of opportunities for new nurses. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the number of RN positions will grow by 6% in the next decade—that’s 20 times the growth of other professions overall.
Key Benefits of Choosing a Nursing Career
In addition to the rewarding nature of nursing, it is also a beneficial career on paper. Let’s go through some of the key reasons why nursing is a successful career path.
High Demand and Job Security
As we’ve mentioned, there are millions of practicing nurses working around the country, with growing demand for new positions. In fact, shortages are predicted: In the next decade, the demand for nurses is expected to exceed the supply by around 9%.
With demand on the rise, nursing guarantees a strong level of job stability. Moreover, nursing is a career that will forever remain indispensable.
Diverse Opportunities in Various Healthcare Settings
Nursing is a broad profession, and there are many opportunities to specialize in different forms of care.
Nurses can work in a variety of healthcare settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Urgent care centers
- Long-term care homes
- Schools
- The US military
Nurses can also choose from a range of specializations:
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- ER nurse
- Nurse anesthetist
- Pediatric nurse
- Labor and delivery nurse
- Travel nurse
With so many opportunities available, nursing offers a dynamic and adaptable career path.
Competitive Salaries and Benefits
Nursing salaries often meet or exceed the industry standard. In 2023, nursing salaries were an estimated 30% higher than the national average. This high earning potential often comes with attractive benefits such as paid vacation, health insurance, and overtime.
The Impact of Nurses in Healthcare
Nurses are an integral part of healthcare, a field that would not be the same without them. Their impact extends from everyday patient care to long-term innovations.
Vital Roles Nurses Play in Patient Care
From morning to night, nurses are the backbone of daily patient care. They bring compassion and skill to the job, helping patients feel better emotionally and physically when experiencing health complications.
In addition to medical treatments, nursing patient care includes:
- Emotional support
- Translation or interpretation
- Scheduling
- Explaining medical instructions
- Health education
Nursing and Patient Advocacy
Nursing is a patient-first job, with proactive patient care and advocacy at the core of everyday tasks. Nurses help patients feel more calm and comfortable, walk patients through care instructions, and advocate for their needs.
A good nurse considers cultural norms, personal stigmas, and patient inequity, while also empowering patients to speak up, make decisions, and take an active role in their recovery.
Innovations Led by Nurses in Healthcare
When informed by evidence-based practices, nursing stays at the forefront of innovative medical care. This involves incorporating new intervention methods, clinical guidelines, and current research to provide the best care possible.
Nurses may also offer preventative care to provide education, counseling, and resources to help improve patient outcomes.
Educational Paths to Becoming a Nurse
So, you’re interested in the engaging field of nursing—where do you start? There are several ways to optimize your education.
Different Levels of Nursing Degrees and Certifications
Aspiring nurses have various educational tracks to choose from, depending on the type of job they want. Potential nursing education includes:
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Certificate – After obtaining a high school diploma or GED, an LPN needs to pass a national licensure exam.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) – Typically taking two years to complete, ADNs can serve as bridge degrees to bachelor’s or master’s programs.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – Typically four-year degrees at undergraduate institutions, allowing graduates to become an RN.
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Two-year programs to advance a nursing career in leadership, education, or further clinical practice.
- Doctorate in Nursing – Nurses can choose between a PhD (research-based) or a practice-focused Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
With abundant opportunities for continuing education and further specialization, nursing can be tailored to align with your unique interests and strengths.
Overview of Nursing Programs at Jefferson
The Jefferson College of Nursing offers several dynamic degrees to prepare the next generation of dedicated nurses. The numbers speak for themselves: 130 years of experience, over 11,000 alumni, and a health system of 18 hospitals.
Undergraduates can choose between a traditional BSN track, a one-year accelerated BSN program, or a two-year BSN accelerated pathway. Both Accelerated BSN Plus (ABSN+) programs are designed for students who already have bachelor’s degrees with related prerequisites. Students earn a BSN plus nine graduate credits that they can put towards a Master’s degree in nursing.
Speaking of MSN degrees, we offer fully virtual two or three-year MSN programs with a variety of specializations, including:
- Pediatrics
- Women’s Health
- Adult Gerontology
- Academic Nursing
To expand your career opportunities, consider our DNP or PhD in Nursing, both delivered fully online. We also offer a range of online Post-Bachelor's Certificate Programs, Post-Graduate Certificate programs, and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Certificates.
How to Decide if Nursing is Right for You
Despite the benefits, nursing comes with many challenges, and it is not the right career for everyone. If you know you want to work in the healthcare industry, but aren’t sure if nursing is your calling, here are a few things to consider.
Key Skills and Qualities of Successful Nurses
Nurses need more than the proper certifications or degrees—they also need internal qualities that are well-suited to the demands of the job. Successful nurses are:
- Compassionate – Comforting, empathetic, and caring with all patients
- Flexible – Able to work days or nights, cover shifts when needed, take on different patient loads, and adapt to new settings
- Resilient – Able to quickly bounce back from challenging situations
These qualities make nursing a unique yet rewarding profession.
Other Considerations Before Pursuing a Nursing Career
Like most careers in healthcare, nursing requires a certain level of preparation and diligence before even stepping foot on a hospital floor. Here are some things to consider:
- Time commitment – Pursuing a degree takes time, and you’ll have to decide between becoming a full-time student or working while studying. As a nurse, don’t expect a typical 9-5 schedule; shifts can be unpredictable, and the time commitment is significant.
- Educational requirements – Do you want to be an RN? Teach nursing in higher education institutions? Work on innovative nursing research? There are many pathways to consider, all of which require different degrees and certifications, so it’s important to set educational and professional goals.
- Lifelong learning – Nursing is a continually evolving field that requires a commitment to growth, innovation, and continued learning. This could entail learning new skills on the job, staying up-to-date with current research, or trying out new specializations.
In the end, if you’re committed to a career of helping others, you’ll know if nursing is right for you.
Explore a Career in Nursing at Thomas Jefferson University
Nursing is an incredible career path for resilient individuals with a passion for healthcare and helping others. Ready to get started? Discover one of our dynamic nursing programs.
First-year, transfer, and second-degree students can contact undergraduate admissions to learn about our accelerated BSN programs. For students seeking further education and career growth, our graduate admissions team can speak to you about our MSN, DNP, and other advanced certificate options.
Visit Jefferson or apply today.