There are many misconceptions about many different careers, and this means that sometimes you might choose a job that you think would suit you perfectly and that you would enjoy hugely, only to find it’s not what you thought it would be. It’s a shame when this happens, as it means you have to go back to the beginning and start fresh, determining what career is a better fit. Although it’s great to have this opportunity – no one should ever feel stuck doing something they don’t like – it is something that takes time, effort, and in many cases, money. Therefore, it’s far better to make the right choice initially, and save yourself from having to start again. Not only is this something that will make you happier and more content, but it means you can enjoy your career for longer, making the most of it and moving forward when you are ready.
Of course, the fact is that it’s not always easy to know what the best career would be. It’s so easy to be swayed by the media or by other people who, as good as their intentions might be, make suggestions just aren’t suitable but that you feel obligated to listen to and even revolve your life around.
So, what can be done? How can you make sure that you’re taking on a career (and all the learning that goes with it) that will work out best for you? One option is to think about your own personality and match that to a job, along with a list of things you must have from that job. Nursing is a great example of how this can work out perfectly; keep reading to find out more.
You Want Growth And Variety In The Job Market
Job stability is something that plays a hugely important part in many people’s lives, even if they’re not completely aware of it. Consider this scenario; if you had a job that was not stable, and where you might be made redundant at any moment, would you feel happy to do the work required? Would you be focused? Would you work hard? The answer to all of these questions is more than likely no – you would be thinking about what else you could do, and perhaps even using your time and energy to apply for other jobs rather than work on the one you have. Conversely, if you have a job that is very stable, you would be able to focus on it and give it your full attention. You would be able to move forward and climb the career ladder as far as you want and need to. You would do what it takes to be the best, knowing the job would be there for you no matter what.
If this sounds like the best option when it comes to working, then nursing could be the answer because it is a very stable job – nurses are always needed, and right now, there is a nursing shortage, so finding a job and keeping it is much easier (although you’ll still need to put the work in, of course).
As well as this, nursing is a job market with a lot of growth and variety. There are always new ideas coming to the fore and plenty of different departments and branches of nursing to consider. When you keep up with nursing trends, you can not only have a stable career, but one that is exciting and different when you want it to do – there are very few other career options that can deliver on both of these things.
You Want To Earn A Decent Salary
Choosing a job solely for the salary isn’t usually a good idea. It might pay well, but if you don’t enjoy or understand the work, you’ll be miserable and stressed, and the money you earn won’t be worth it. However, although this is true, it’s also a fact that money is important – the cost of living is rising, and this means that even the basics are becoming more expensive.
Should you take a job that pays well but you don’t like or one that you do enjoy that doesn’t cover the bills? When it comes to nursing, you don’t have to make that decision; even though the received wisdom is that nursing doesn’t pay very well, the fact is that the salary for a nurse is probably higher than you think. This means that you can have a job you love and that you find incredibly rewarding that also pays well and actually rewards you in ways other than being a fulfilling thing to do.
The idea that nurses earn a fair, even good, salary is one that is often lost, and the assumption is that nurses are paid poorly. In reality, however, an RN can earn around $77,000 a year, and the more qualifications you have, the more you can earn, with some nurse leaders earning more than $120,000. Of course, you’re not going to be paid this money for doing nothing and not working hard; there is a lot you’ll need to do as a nurse, and you’ll earn every penny. If you’re happy to take on a challenge and be proud of the work you do – and fairly paid for it – then why not look into what it takes to become a nurse?
You Want Lots Of Job Options
There is not just one kind of nurse. This might come as a surprise to anyone who has not looked more closely into the profession and who might assume that a nurse only does one thing at one level. When you investigate nursing more, you’ll realize that there are multiple types of nurses and many different nursing levels, from RN to a nurse leader and more.
If you want a job that has many different options for you to choose from and where you can form your career in exactly the way you want to, taking your own skills, preferences, and requirements into account, then it could be that you are exactly cut out for nursing, because this is exactly the kind of career you can have. Although everyone will start out at the same place, by studying to obtain a degree and work as an RN (registered nurse), the career path you can take after this is up to you, which could include going for an RN to MSN program. You might want to work in a specific department or in a particular setting (nurses don’t just work in hospitals, for example, but can work in many other places including prisons, schools, vacation resorts, and so on). You might want to be more generalized but become a leader. No matter what it is, there will be a career path for you to take.
In order to take the path you want, however, you’ll need the right experience and qualifications. Experience will come over time, and when it comes to qualifications, good online courses mean that you can study for them without having to step away from your career and lose out on important experiences. As you can see, if you want to progress as a nurse and make the best of your career, everything is already in place, and you just have to make the choices that will work out for you in the most positive way.
You Love Learning
You may have noticed from what we’ve said above that learning is an integral part of nursing. It’s how you become a nurse in the first place (although you can learn a lot ‘on the job’, you do need to have qualifications and basic knowledge before you start treating patients), and it’s also how you progress and make the most out of your working life.
If you have a deep love of learning, nursing is going to suit you. As a nurse, you never stop learning. Apart from the initial degree you’ll need and any further formal qualifications, you’ll need to ensure you keep up with all the nursing news and the new methods of working that are sure to come out during your time as a nurse. You’ll have to keep learning in order to keep doing your job.
If you don’t like this idea, then it might be best to look at a different career. The fact is that nurses have to have a love of learning as they must continue to improve and advance throughout their careers.
You Want To Make a Difference
There are some jobs in which, if you didn’t do the work, there would be no major difference in the world. There might not even be a minor difference. These jobs often have low job stability, as mentioned above, but they’ll also have a lot less job satisfaction associated with them.
Nursing, as you might expect, is different. When you are a nurse, everything you do, even the smallest of actions, has an impact and makes a difference. Just talking to a patient or holding their hand, just answering a simple question in a patient, kind way, can be a positive force, not to mention the fact that, as a nurse, you save lives and therefore you are making the biggest difference with your actions in that case.
If you want to make a difference in the world, nursing is the answer.
