(Akiit.com) Entering the medical career, whichever route one ends up taking within this vast industry, is always a strenuous process. There’s no denying that those who work in medicine and healthcare deserve tremendous amounts of respect for what they do to help people. There’s also no denying that pursuing any form of medical profession is a smart career move because it’s an industry that will always be in demand for as long as we’re human. Of course, with technological advancements in medicine, it’s very likely that we won’t be human for much longer.
Maybe you’ve always wanted to be a nurse. Maybe you’ve always been on the fence. Maybe you’ve never really considered it, but you’re approaching college or university and you’re starting to think about your studies. Well, if you’ve always been a caring person, then you’re already halfway on your way to becoming a nurse already. Of course, this may not be enough for you. Perhaps you feel that nursing isn’t a fulfilling career and perhaps not a stable one. However, you’d be wrong. All signs are currently pointing towards nursing being one of the most stable long term careers on the market, and here’s why.
Nurses are often in short supply.
It’s not news that hospitals are often undermanned and overstretched, but recent years have shown a decline in available nurses. As of the present day, many hospitals are reporting that 1 in 10 of their available nursing jobs are unfilled and 1 in 3 of the nurses they do employ are over the age of 50. The latter point suggests that there’s a declining interest in nursing amongst younger people, perhaps because other medical careers seem better-respected or more lucrative in terms of salary, but the former point suggests something slightly more optimistic about the whole situation: there’s an abundance of jobs on the market in the nursing industry. If you want to become a nurse, it’s never been easier.
Whilst many people may look down on nursing jobs, this is a misconception. Still, it’s a misconception which works in your favour, as it means you’ll experience less competition, and this could be the route into the healthcare industry that you’ve always wanted. If you’re a caring person, this is a chance to gain technical, medical knowledge and make a direct impact on patients in need.
It’s a flexible career.
Whilst nurses have to work hard, they don’t have to work endlessly and ceaselessly. A shift can be as short as 4 hours or as long as 12 hours, but, either way, you’re not going to be working for every waking minute of every day. You’ll be working hard to help people, and shifts which were any shorter might not allow you to really offer the help you need to; not all problems are quick fixes. The point is that you can live a fulfilling life outside of work whilst being a nurse. You have the freedom to lead a flexible life.
Nursing jobs can be varied, and sometimes you need to dedicate a lot of your time and your attention to an individual, but it’s a highly rewarding job in comparison to sitting in a dull office cubicle for eight continuous hours every day. There are nurse jobs in healthcare ranging from the core, primary needs of physical help to the demanding, in-depth needs of mental help. As a nurse, no two days are the same, and no job is as simple as handing a patient a pill.
There’s no one kind of nurse.
Healthcare isn’t restricted to hospitals. Not everybody has easy access to a hospital, and not everybody can afford to travel to their nearest one if they’re short on time and in need of medical attention. That’s why registered nurses and nurse practitioners are the heroes of medical care because they can be out there offering immediate care and assistance to those who need it.
Of course, if you’re not keen on travelling or on the traditional hospital-based style of nursing, you don’t have to throw in the towel and give up on the medical sector just yet. You could pursue legal consultation in the nursing sector, proving that nurses aren’t just “assistants” to doctors. You can be so much more than that. You could even work in another country because recent political events such as Brexit have created huge openings in the healthcare job market, given that many nurses no longer want to move abroad to work. Of course, this only means there are more opportunities for those who are happy to work abroad.
There are opportunities to lead and educate others to the same extent as a doctor.
Whilst you may accept that nursing is a tougher job role than you first granted, you may still be hesitant about its potential as a career with progression and long-term potential. Well, as mentioned, the term “nursing” applies to far more than one specific type of job. There are opportunities for you to climb the ladder and become a leader or educator to fellow nurses. It’s a role which can open up numerous research opportunities, if you want to expand your skills far beyond physical patient care.
It’s a job through which you can never stop learning because the healthcare industry is changing each and every day, as growing information emerges concerning the best techniques, practices and new technology. It’s important to remember that you’re not limited as a nurse, and there’s no reason that you can’t expand your medical knowledge in the same way as the most experienced doctor or surgeon working within your industry. Statistics in recent years have shown that nurses are taking on as many responsibilities as doctors anyway, with many specialist nurses getting extra training to prescribe drugs, assess issues and refer patients.
You’re limited only by yourself when it comes to progressing forward in a nursing career. If it’s what you want to do, then don’t be discouraged by tired and old misconceptions about what it entails to be a nurse.
Staff Writer; Terry Jones