<p><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/trueprofile-ios-covid-19-psa-for-our-members" target="_blank">COVID-19</a> highlighted the importance of healthcare professionals like <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/trueprofile-ios-nightingale-scholars-doing-their-best-to-help-others" target="_blank">nurses</a>, doctors, and other medical staff. These professionals spearheaded the fight against the virus. While nurses have played such an important role in healthcare, there is a global shortage of nurses. Apart from the growing demand for healthcare nurses, <strong>here are 6 reasons to choose a career in nursing. </strong></p>
<h2>1. Make A Difference </h2>
<p>Most people pursue a nursing career to make a difference in people’s lives. Nurses work with patients and their families during difficult circumstances. Nurses report feeling <a href="https://mph.ucdavis.edu/health-news/contenthub/year-of-the-nurse-blog-rebecca-billing-we-feel-honored-and-humbled-to-do-what-we-do/2021/01" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">honored and humbled</a> by interactions and experiences with different patients and colleagues. </p>
<p>As a nurse, you provide patients with the necessary support during their health journey. Some nurses work directly with communities to educate them on health, safety and accessing quality care. Nurses play a crucial role in improving patient outcomes. </p>
<h2>2. Job Opportunities </h2>
<p>There is a global demand for nurses. In addition to a pandemic, some other factors include aging populations and an increased focus on preventative care. However, choosing a nursing career does not restrict you to patient care. Nursing degrees allow you to work in areas like nursing management, health policy, academia and informatics. </p>
<p>Choose a career in nursing in:</p>
<ul><li>Public health</li><li>Community education</li><li>Nursing care management</li><li>Patient-care coordination</li><li>Healthcare administration </li></ul>
<p></p>
<p>A nursing career is also recession-proof for the most part. For instance, <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/jobs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nursing jobs</a> increased during the US financial recession of 2008 in terms of both opportunities created and the salaries a registered nurse earned on average. The job security that comes with nursing careers is a major motivating factor for people in the sector. </p>
<h2>3. High Job Satisfaction </h2>
<p>Nursing is a demanding career that sometimes involves long shifts, patient losses, and overwhelming cases. Despite these challenges, many choose a career in nursing for job satisfaction. Whether you work locally or <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/get-a-job-abroad-faster" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">abroad</a>, nursing allows you to interact with culturally diverse patients with different conditions. </p>
<p>Nurses draw upon their compassion to provide comfort to patients during difficult times. Environments that offer room for growth and better <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/trueprofile-io-supports-world-patient-safety-day-2021" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">patient safety and care, </a>contribute to better job satisfaction.</p>
<h2>4. Excellent Benefits</h2>
<p>On average, a registered nurse in the US will earn $33.23 per hour. The global demand for nursing skills allows nurses to earn higher wages. For those with a <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/get-nursing-license-qatar" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nursing license</a> to work overseas, competitive salaries are on offer. </p>
<p>Healthcare facilities are more willing to provide an attractive compensation package to attract top international talent to their facilities. Other benefits you receive when working as a nurse include:</p>
<ul><li>Bonuses </li><li>Medical, dental, and vision insurance</li><li>Paid vacation </li><li>Sick time</li><li>Tuition reimbursement for nurses who advance their education in a specialized area </li><li>Retirement packages</li></ul>
<p></p>
<h2>5. Flexibility </h2>
<p>Often nurses can choose to work shifts most convenient for their <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/dealing-with-professional-burnout" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">work-life balance</a>. Nurses can choose between agency, part-time and full-time work. With such flexibility, a nursing career allows you to meet other responsibilities in your life, such as family and social commitments. </p>
<p>You can also work in different settings, including hospitals, home healthcare and clinics. Nurses specialize in other areas depending on their interests. For instance, you can choose to work as a geriatric nurse, pediatrician nurse, or trauma care nurse. </p>
<p>You can<a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/need-to-know-travelling-for-job-abroad" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> travel and work</a> in different locations around the world too. If you love caring for people and traveling, combine both by working as a nurse overseas. This exposes you to new experiences, cultures, <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/learn-new-language" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">languages</a> and destinations. Choose to work in one location or move to different countries once your contract expires. </p>
<h2>6. Highly Respectable Profession</h2>
<p>The world regards nurses as some of the most ethical and honest professionals. Nurses are bound by professional ethics to put their patients first.</p>
<p>Nurses work together with more than their patients. They work with families to provide or refer to the necessary support. </p>
<h2>Ready to Choose a Career in Nursing?</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="535" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/10/shutterstock_1633124824-1024x535.jpg" alt="6 Reasons to Choose a Career in Nursing" class="wp-image-12629" srcset="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/10/shutterstock_1633124824-1024x535.jpg 1024w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/10/shutterstock_1633124824-300x157.jpg 300w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/10/shutterstock_1633124824-768x401.jpg 768w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/10/shutterstock_1633124824.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>As a nurse, you provide patients with the necessary support during their health journey</figcaption></figure>
<p>Nurses are in high demand and can enjoy a high level of job satisfaction compared to other professions. They can transfer their skills from one specialty or region to another. </p>
<h3>To choose a career in nursing, you need to:</h3>
<h3>1. Earn a nursing degree </h3>
<p>You must have formal education and a <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/how-to-verify-your-degree-with-trueprofile-io" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">degree</a> to work as a registered nurse. Some degree options include a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, an Accelerate Nursing Program, an Associate Degree in Nursing, or a Master of Science in Nursing. </p>
<h3>2. Obtain a nursing license </h3>
<p>Once you have earned your degree, the next step is to complete the necessary licensing exams to obtain your nursing license. </p>
<h3>3. Get hired</h3>
<p>Fortunately, nursing is a rapidly growing field with a high employment rate. Most <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/resources/5-tips-to-cope-in-your-first-year-as-a-registered-nurse" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nursing students are employed soon after obtaining their nursing license</a>. You can also search and apply for nursing opportunities with international employers on career platforms such as <a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/jobs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TrueProfile.io Jobs</a>. </p>
<h3>4. Choose a Specialty</h3>
<p>Choose from several nursing specialties, including neonatal, midwifery, critical care, or clinical nursing. You can choose to work in a general position until you are ready to move into a more specialized role. </p>
<h3>5. Pursue Additional Training</h3>
<p>While nursing is a high-growth field with plenty of opportunities, nurses who regularly advance their skills and expertise attract better opportunities and higher pay. Additional training keeps nurses updated and relevant.</p>
<h2>Take the Leap!</h2>
<p>Nursing could just be the career for you if you care about helping people at their most vulnerable. It’s a dynamic career choice with countless opportunities to specialize, travel, upskill and gain new experiences. If you already have a nursing degree, search and apply for your next career opportunity on our new<a href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/jobs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Jobs</a> page.</p>
<div class="is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons">
<div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link has-text-color has-background" href="https://www.trueprofile.io/member/jobs" style="border-radius:50px;background-color:#00497a;color:#f5f5f5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apply for nursing jobs</a></div>
</div>