Seen by many as the heart of the healthcare profession, nurses offer comfort, care, and kindness to their patients each day. It is for this reason that the nursing profession is known for attracting caring and compassionate individuals who wish to serve others and make a positive contribution to healthcare and the world at large.
In addition to easing the suffering of others, nursing has grown into a diverse profession that includes managerial functions, research, influencing healthcare policy, and more. Given the wide variety of roles offered, nursing is also attracting people from other backgrounds who wish to transition their careers into a more fulfilling field.
One of the fastest ways to transition your career is by earning a master’s degree in nursing known as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). With a variety of full-time and part-time courses available you can choose a path which fits in with your lifestyle as well as your career goals. In this article, we will explore some of the reasons to consider a career change to nursing.
Ample Job Opportunities
Nurses are always in high demand, especially today as the United States is facing a national nursing shortage. This is due in part to the increasing retirement rates among nurses. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) a significant segment of the nursing workforce is approaching retirement age and more than one million registered nurses are projected to retire from the workforce by 2030.
Another contributing factor for this skills shortage is the slow growth in nursing school enrollment which is not fast enough to meet the projected demand for nursing services. As a result of these factors, there is a high demand for qualified nurses holding advanced degrees ensuring nursing professionals the benefit of ample job opportunities and long-term career security.
If you find yourself unsure about which field of healthcare to specialize in or if nursing is the right fit for you, obtaining a nursing assistant certificate can be a practical and insightful way to enter the world of healthcare. By becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and successfully passing the CNA exam, you can open doors to various opportunities in healthcare settings. Preparing for the exam is made easier with the help of online resources, such as the free CNA study guide provided by Career Employer’s exam prep center.
Once you start working as a CNA, you gain valuable hands-on experience and exposure to the daily realities of healthcare. This firsthand experience allows you to assess if nursing is indeed your passion and helps you determine the specific area of healthcare that resonates most with you.
Travel
One of the best ways to gain experience in your new career is by meeting the demand for nurses across the country. Many healthcare organizations are facing staffing shortages these days which make them heavily reliant on the skills of trained nurses who can temporarily fill positions in hospitals, care facilities, clinics, and other high-needed areas, providing patients with the quality care they need.
By working for a travel nursing agency you will gain a wealth of experience in a variety of different settings giving you the opportunity to work in different areas before choosing a specialty. This will also help to develop your resume and skills making you more employable in the future. As a travel nurse, you simply need to pack a few essentials and can enjoy your independence and the benefit of visiting new places.
Career Fulfillment
Like many people today, you may find your current line of work unrewarding or lacking the meaning or purpose you desire. Nursing offers you the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others, helping them recover from illnesses and injuries, supporting their emotional needs and caring for them while they are at their most vulnerable.
This job also comes with much appreciation from patients and their family members making nursing one of the most satisfying careers a person can choose. According to a report by Pay scale 83% of nurses reported that they found their work meaningful and satisfying.
Diverse Career Opportunities
Studying for an MSN degree offers a fast-track to a variety of different job opportunities within healthcare enabling you to elevate your career in new ways. This advanced degree program will qualify you for a variety of roles ranging from nurse practitioners to managerial roles allowing you to lead change, advocate for patients and offer healthcare in diverse roles and settings. Some of the roles available after gaining this certification include the following:
- Clinical nurse leader
- Psychiatric nurse practitioner
- Family nurse practitioner
- Gerontological nurse practitioner
- Forensic nurse consultant
- Nurse ethicist
- Nursing informatics specialist
- Pediatric nurse practitioner
Make a Change
Studying for an MSN degree also paves the way for administrative and leadership roles within the nursing profession. This encompasses a variety of roles which can include research, academia, nursing advocacy, health systems management, public policy and healthcare lobbying.
Nursing advocacy gives nurses a strong voice on issues such as patient equality, promoting the rights of their patients and healthy work environments giving them the opportunity to be a positive force for change within their own profession while lobbying enables nurses to influence legislative changes at a local, state, or national level regarding healthcare policy and practices within the nursing profession.
As this article shows, transitioning your career into nursing offers a wide variety of positions that will allow you to contribute your skills and knowledge to the world of healthcare while advancing your career in fulfilling and meaningful ways.
