Are You Ready To Be A Nurse? Here’s What To Expect
Are you ready to start your career as a nurse? Nursing is a wonderful profession since it allows people to make a difference in others’ lives. To do so, you must provide excellent care to your patients while being emotionally tough.
Nursing is an exciting, rapidly expanding, and in-demand profession. Many people become nurses because they want to serve others and find purpose and fulfillment in their employment. It has numerous advantages. Nursing, like any other profession, can be challenging. Before entering the area of nursing, it is critical to weigh the benefits and drawbacks.
What does a nurse practitioner do?
The general public’s perception of nurse practitioners is that they provide care to patients in hospitals. A nurse practitioner’s job is to offer primary care to patients using medical knowledge, technology, and competence. Patients can receive primary care from a nurse practitioner without the supervision of a physician. They can also prescribe medications and perform diagnostic tests if necessary.
Becoming a nurse can be a gratifying career choice for people who enjoy providing care and finding solutions to fulfill patients’ needs. There are several benefits of being a nurse, including high pay, a bright career outlook, promotion opportunities, and specialized possibilities.
We’ve analyzed the benefits and drawbacks of being a nurse to help you understand what you may expect in nursing.
Rewarding career
Like doctors and surgeons, nurses have a unique potential to save lives or make a difference in their patients’ lives. As a result, nursing is a highly rewarding career. Every day, nurses assist patients who are sick, injured, disabled or experiencing a tough time in their life. Nurses are frequently the closest to patients, providing routine bedside care and advocating for those who require assistance. A nurse makes a difference in someone’s life every time they recognize a symptom, diagnose an illness, treat a patient, or listen.
Nursing is not only personally fulfilling, but it also provides professional advantages. Depending on your field, you may be able to expect a nice salary. Registered nurses earn about $75,000 per year on average in the United States.
Nurses are respected, trusted, and valued
According to a Gallup study, nurses are the most honest, ethical, and trusted workers in the United States. Nurses have been named the most trusted professions for 19 years, including in 2020, when they fought the COVID-19 pandemic with zeal. It demonstrates how vital nurses are and how much patients and communities value them.
Job security
Healthcare practitioners that are qualified and compassionate will always be in demand. No matter where you go in the world, the skills and knowledge as a nurse will be respected and required. Indeed, the demand for nurses is likely to rise, assuring job security for new and seasoned nurses alike.
Flexibility
There is some flexibility in the nursing profession. While some nurses work part-time, others work full-time. Nurses may also work on a seasonal or temporary basis to accommodate particular scheduling requirements or obtain additional flexibility. It’s a major bonus to move between a part-time and full-time schedule as needed.
When adapting your resume to reflect this flexibility within the dynamic field of travel nursing, utilizing a free travel nurse resume template is a practical and efficient way to craft a professional document. These templates offer a cost-effective solution, helping you showcase your diverse experiences and qualifications in a visually appealing format that aligns with the specific demands of the travel nursing industry.
Learning opportunities
While nurses may specialize in one area, the healthcare industry is always changing to include new techniques, therapies, and research. So it can help nurses revolutionize the way they care for their patients. As a result, nurses must keep up with industry advances and continue to learn new skills throughout their careers.
Physical Requirements
Foot problems and back ailments are common in the nursing profession, especially those working in hospitals. These caregivers are regularly forced to lift and transfer patients and spend a lot of time on their feet. Remember that proper stretching and exercise can help avoid and alleviate these foot issues, just as they can help reduce the risk of back injuries.
Long shift hours
Hospital nurses frequently work 12-hour shifts. However, if a lot of patient reporting needs to be done before a shift change, these caregivers may work a 15-hour day, which is hard on their minds and bodies. Nurses with lesser job seniority are also obliged to work many nights, weekends, and holidays.
Research the overtime and scheduling regulations of the companies you’re interviewing with to minimize burnout. Inquire about overtime schedules with nurses who work at these locations. You can also look for nursing jobs in a private clinic or as an administrative assistant.
Virus Infection
While nurses can take steps to avoid germs and viruses, there is always the danger of contracting anything from a patient. Being accidentally stabbed by a needle by a patient with a blood-borne infection or getting a splash of body fluid in the eyes is an example of extreme exposure. Keep in mind that most healthcare facilities have processes to handle such situations, including cleansing and testing.
Pressure and Stress
Being a nurse entails a great deal of stress and strain. Nurses don’t have much leisure on the job. Yet, they still have to think critically in life-or-death situations and control their emotions while dealing with challenging patients and families. Despite the high pressures they experience, nurses are the ones who must still take the time to answer all of the patients’ inquiries.
Emotional commitment
Nursing is a rewarding and personal career. Unlike many other occupations, nurses get emotionally invested in their patient’s lives and results, which can be a difficult burden to bear over time. As a nurse, you should develop a strong support system with whom you can express your feelings and thoughts.
Conclusion
It’s a major decision to decide what you want to do with your life. Take the time to thoroughly examine your options and undertake research to understand a nurse practitioner’s responsibilities and expectations. You should also be aware of the educational requirements, the time required to complete your training and education, and the financial ramifications. Your road to becoming a nurse practitioner should be paved with all of the information you require to make the best decision possible.
