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5 Key Things to Know Before Pursuing a Nursing Career

The job of a nurse involves caring for patients in any healthcare setting. In addition, they provide assistance and support to healthcare professionals such as surgeons and physicians. Over the years, the demand for nurses has rapidly grown. Nursing jobs offer a bright career outlook with high salary prospects in the long term.

5 Key Things to Know Before Pursuing a Nursing Career
Thus, working as a nurse may just fit the bill for those keen on a rewarding career in the healthcare domain. Thus, if one is interested in pursuing a career in nursing, here are some of the important things to know about.

Types of nursing jobs
There are over 40 different nursing specialties, providing a wealth of job opportunities in this rapidly growing field. Most healthcare facilities offer various types of nursing jobs. They are:

  • Registered nurse
  • Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse
  • Nurse practitioner
  • Nurse anesthetist
  • Nurse midwives

Career outlook of nursing jobs
The demand for nursing professionals across all specializations has been increasing in recent years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing has added the third-largest number of jobs across all occupations. Among various nursing jobs, there is more demand for registered nurses and nurse practitioners. In fact, nurse practitioners are expected to have one of the fastest rates of career growth.

The reasons for the rapid employment growth for nurses are the same, which has led to incredible growth in the healthcare industry in general. The major reason has been a higher emphasis on preventive care demanded by patients. Also, the steadily rising rate of several chronic conditions along with an aging population has put more demand on nurses.

In addition, employment opportunities for nurses also result from the necessity of replacing the ones who are leaving their nursing jobs. This may be the result of retiring nurses or those who have decided to transition to a different profession.

Job responsibilities of nurses
Nurses have an indispensable role in providing top-quality healthcare. Their basic responsibilities are the same across specializations but may differ based on their working settings. Most nursing jobs involve working in healthcare settings such as doctor’s offices, hospitals, residential care, and nursing care facilities. Across all these settings, the importance of nurses on a patient’s path to recovery is evident from the critical and crucial responsibilities they have to handle on a day-to-day basis.

  • Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
    The main responsibilities in this nursing job include providing patients with basic care and monitoring and recording their health. This includes checking the vital signs of the patients. In most settings, these nurses work under the supervision of registered nurses.
  • Registered nurses
    These nurses are responsible for evaluating the health of their patients, coordinating their care, and educating them about their health and treatment.
  • Nurse anesthetists
    This job involves the nurse being responsible for administering anesthesia and ensuring the patient’s comfort before, during, and after a medical procedure. The duties include monitoring vital signs, adjusting anesthesia levels, and providing post-operative care to ensure a smooth recovery.
  • Nurse midwives
    These nurses work in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN). They provide assistance during labor and delivery, conduct gynecological exams, provide prenatal care, and assist in family planning services.
  • Nurse practitioners
    These nurses work as primary and specialty care providers. Their job involves making diagnoses, ordering medical tests, and prescribing treatment options.

Qualifications required for nursing jobs
To become a qualified nurse, an individual must first enroll in a nursing program and successfully complete it. Typically, the studies required to become a nurse can take anywhere between two and four years. There are several well-known nursing programs that are commonly a prerequisite for applying to nursing jobs. It’s up to the individual to decide which program to pursue.

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN )
    This is one of the most common accredited bachelor’s degrees in the nursing domain. It opens up opportunities to work as an entry-level nurse and is a pre-requirement to pursue advanced nursing jobs. This university- and college-level degree usually takes about four years to complete. However, if a person already has prior credentials in the nursing field, they may complete the program earlier.
  • Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
    This degree is generally offered by community and technical colleges. The three-year program includes all the factors required to qualify as a nurse. 
  • Diploma program
    In the past, diploma programs were a popular way to get a head start in the nursing field. However, they have become less common as many people now prefer to pursue BSN and ADN degrees. Despite this, some hospitals still offer diploma programs in nursing that can take between two to three years to complete.

Pay structure and benefits for nurses
Across all specializations and healthcare settings, nurses get a competitive pay structure. The average annual salary for a nursing job is around $80,010. In addition, nursing jobs offer several benefits and incentives as part of their pay packages. Some of the common benefits include:

  • Paid sick time
  • Paid vacation and holidays
  • Group health and life insurance
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Wellness programs
  • Paid family leave
  • Retirement benefits
  • Reimbursement for certification fees
  • Childcare benefits

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