Is now a good time to become a nurse? In short, yes. Now is a great time to become a nurse, and here’s why.
Nursing is one of the most in-demand careers currently, and the nursing shortage is to blame. The bright side? Despite the challenge for the healthcare system, the shortage is excellent news for nursing students, or anyone completing a qualification like an ABSN online. Your dream nursing job will be easier than ever to attain.
Interested? Stay with us as we convince you of the reasons why now is one of the best times ever to become a nursing practitioner.
U.S. Nursing Shortages: Why American Nurses Are in Such High Demand Today
Today, over 58 million Americans are older than the age of 65. Our community, as such, is fast approaching the stage where an increasing number of us are experiencing age-related health concerns – hence our rapidly growing demand for healthcare services.
Healthcare patients are not the only ones getting older, though. Our roster of registered nursing staff is also aging – with the 2020 National Nursing Workforce Survey finding that the average age of an American registered nurse is as advanced as 52 years old, concerningly close to retirement age. And there simply aren’t enough fresh nursing grads coming up through the education system to fill their shoes.
The worrying truth? We need to add as many as 200,000 nurses to the U.S. healthcare workforce every year until at least 2026 – per American federal economists’ calculations – if we want to combat this major nursing shortage. The good news? If you’re considering becoming a nurse, you’re on the money. You’re unlikely to have any trouble finding a job.
Reasons to Become a Nurse: What’s in it For Me?
So should you become a nurse? The benefits of becoming a nursing practitioner in the U.S include:
Competitive Nursing Wages
Competitive nursing wages are part of the appeal of being a nurse in the U.S. – as an RN, you can expect to earn an annual salary of on average $89,000, with nursing practitioners (NPs) often attaining a mean annual wage of approximately $125,000 annually.
Job Satisfaction and Fulfilment
On the job, admittedly, no day as a nurse is ever the same. But, look at it this way: you’re helping people in need, and you’re getting paid to do it.
Truth be told, what could be better than this?
The Opportunity to Make a Difference
The opportunity to make a difference through the care they provide is one of the drawcards for many nursing professionals. For natural caregivers, this makes the hard work all worthwhile.
The best part? Undoubtedly, the gratitude you receive from your patients.
How to get there: Pursuing your Passion in Nursing
If the challenges of being a nurse in this demanding time don’t deter you, here are the steps to take to pursue your passion:
- Get Your Qualification
Yes, to be a nurse, you’ll need to complete the requisite qualification. Most important? You will need to be totally committed to your goal to be able to attain it.
Being a student is never easy, and for nursing students in particular, you can expect to spend many a late night cramming to complete your assessments. The good news? This will prepare you for the late-night shifts you will undoubtedly be rostered on once you land your job.
- Complete Your Placement
Before you get your job, you’ll need to complete your placement rounds. Make the most of these, and be sure to be proactive, take initiative, and learn everything you can.
- Prepare for Interviews
Is your resume ready? If not, spend some time polishing up your assets, and preparing to interview for professional roles. You may find it beneficial to network with other nurses who have already secured their jobs to get tips on how to stand out professionally.
- Secure (and Perform) Your Professional Role
Finally, you’ve made it into your dream role. Now, you have to perform. Be sure to draw on your learnings from your nursing course and clinical placements, and to give it all you’ve got.
