If nothing else, the coronavirus pandemic has certainly taught us that healthcare organizations worldwide are under-staffed. While COVID-19 still has a hold on a large section of the world, pressures on healthcare, hospital beds, and staff are only ever increasing. Find the reasons to become a nurse in 2021.
Even without a pandemic to consider, the demand for nurses is expected to grow by 12% before 2028, thanks to a large number of nurses (“baby boomers”) all reaching retirement age at the same time. This means if hospitals and health clinics weren’t already short-staffed, there’s going to be a real deficit sooner rather than later.
So, if the world’s current health crisis has got you stressed or panicked, perhaps it’s time to consider a career in nursing.
Unlike becoming a GP, nursing requires much less studying time, making it an ideal career swap for those looking to change profession in later life. That said, it is also a satisfying and rewarding job for anyone just starting college, too. Therefore, nursing is a profession that is perfect for all ages.
There are a huge number of reasons why people choose to become a nurse in 2021, but this article discusses the best reasons you should consider it too.
1. It’s active, exciting work
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The life of a nurse is both exciting and challenging. No two days are the same, and rather than spending all your time sitting down at a computer, as a nurse you will be active throughout your whole shift as there’s always a job to be done.
2. You can make a real difference everyday
Nurses are so much more than their medical responsibilities. They provide compassion, reassurance, and comfort to their patients throughout their whole treatment. While doctors are incredible and well respected, it’s the stand-out nurses that are remembered by patients and their families.
As a nurse, you can leave a positive mark on someone’s life on a daily basis.
3. A schedule that suits you
Although the hours may be long, a nurse’s schedule is actually quite flexible. If you’re a single parent who wants to be able to pick their kids up from school, you can find a shift pattern to match. Similarly, if you’re a night owl, you can choose night shifts. Nurses work closely with their managers, and as such are able to discuss a schedule to suit their other day-to-day priorities.
4. You can study online
Due to the high demand for nurses across the globe, earning your qualifications has Become A Nurse in 2021 more accessible than ever before. Accelerated nursing programs online now allow candidates to study at their own pace, over and around their day-to-day life, meaning you can study while continuing to work. If you already have a degree, you can often do a fast-track course, too.
5. There are many career progression options
Once you’re a registered nurse, the learning doesn’t have to stop there. You’ll be learning new skills every day while on the job, and if a particular area takes your interest, you can study a specialism in order to boost your career. Nurses can easily study to become nurse practitioners, pediatric nurses, nurse executives, or midwives later down the road.
6. It could take you around the world
There is also an endless number of places that nursing could take you. For the more adventurous, there are opportunities for nurses on cruise ships, emergency flight nursing, or travel nurses, which might offer you the perfect career for helping other people while also seeing the world.
7. Competitive salary
While money isn’t the main reason to get into nursing, the pay for nursing is decent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean average salary for a registered nurse is $66,560, with salaries for practitioners being almost double this amount.
8. Nurses are in high demand
A 2020 study by the WHO suggests that in order to be able to provide the best health services to patients, the number of registered nurses worldwide needs to grow by at least 5.9 million. Thankfully, the recent crisis has made nursing increasingly popular as a first-choice career, which is helping to bridge the gap between supply and demand. However, the world is still extremely far away from having enough to meet the need.
9. Financial and job security
With the above in mind, job security is extremely high in nursing. And, over the pandemic, nurses and practitioners have been two of the most financially secure positions to hold—despite surgeries and treatments being limited for anything other than COVID. While the pandemic thankfully won’t be around forever, the general unemployment rate for trained nurses is always extremely low. And, no matter where life takes you, there will always be opportunities for you to advance your career.
10. Technology is making helping patients even easier
The pandemic has put pressure on the healthcare industry and as such, technological advancements have been made to make access easier for everyone. Thanks to telemedicine—the practice in which patients can access health advice through telephone, text, or video consultation—nurses have been able to provide care to patients near and far. Now, vulnerable members of the community can access the help they need, without having to travel.
There are other reasons as to why people choose nursing as a profession, as well as why some people might change their career in later life. Some of these reasons will be personal for those who have experienced incredible treatment from nurses themselves.
Whatever your reason for wanting to become a nurse in 2021, the work is incredibly diverse and rewarding. Every day is a new challenge and a chance to make a difference to someone’s life. And, with the help of online training, there are now even more ways to get qualified and begin your career.
To get started, check out the schools you’re interested in and see what requirements you’ll need to be accepted onto a course. You may find if you already have a degree—even if it’s not related to healthcare—that you’re already heading in the right direction.
Enroll on a course today and who knows, you could be changing lives within two years. Good luck!
