Nursing offers a thrilling and satisfying profession. It's difficult to locate another area with a greater availability of job positions, more advantageous perks, and constant chances to enhance people's lives.
Should you desire a profession that is both demanding and rewarding, consider nursing as an ideal choice. Given the significant demand for nurses, it's easy to embark on this path: initiating and finishing your nursing studies can be achieved in a surprisingly brief period and with minimal financial investment.
Discover the top five advantages of pursuing a degree in nursing.
1. Job Security
Nurses consistently find employment opportunities plentiful. In contrast to various other professions, nurses are required at hospitals, physicians’ offices, and care facilities throughout the U.S. The U.S. Bureau of Labor anticipates a nine percent increase in nursing jobs over the coming eight years.
Furthermore, nursing is considered a stable career resistant to economic downturns. Even when the job market declines and the economy weakens, nursing remains unaffected. Given the increasing number of elderly people and escalating health issues, coupled with a significant deficit in qualified professionals stemming from recent occurrences, the need for nurses is expected to grow.
2. Flexibility
Many individuals link the nursing profession with extensive, taxing shifts, yet this is a significant misconception. In reality, the working hours are often more adaptable than those found in conventional roles.
Nurses have the flexibility to select their working hours and shifts according to their preference: be it early morning, noon, evening, or late night hours. You have the option to work during the weekends or opt for a weekday schedule from Monday to Friday exclusively. Many nurses choose to consolidate their working days, such as working three consecutive days followed by four days off; the choice is completely yours.
3. Student Loan Forgiveness
The cost of college tuition continues to rise annually, yet acquiring student debt isn't inevitable when pursuing a nursing degree. Should you require loans to cover your nursing education, these can be forgiven post-graduation. Numerous opportunities such as special grants, scholarships, and student loan forgiveness initiatives exist specifically for nursing students.
Every nursing student ought to consider these two scholarship opportunities:
- AACN Continuing Professional Development Scholarships: Members of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses can apply to receive funding of up to $3,000 and up to $750 for travel expenses.
- Nurse Corps Scholarship Program: Eligible students will receive a monthly stipend to cover tuition, fees, and other costs including books, clinical supplies, and uniforms.
The national government offers to clear your debts if you are employed at a government institution or a military medical center. Alternatively, serve as a nurse in the Peace Corps or assist in a financially disadvantaged area; you will be eligible for loan forgiveness. This implies you have the opportunity to pursue a nursing career without incurring any financial costs!
4. Travel Opportunities
Desire a career that lets you travel and explore globally? Obtaining a degree in nursing could provide exactly that opportunity. You aren't limited to working solely in one hospital; there are various paths within the nursing field, allowing you to select a profession that enables you to journey across the globe.
With a nursing qualification, you have the option to work as a travel nurse, supporting sports teams around the globe. Alternatively, you might enlist with organizations such as the Peace Corps or Doctors Without Borders, assisting individuals in various countries. Your academic credentials are universally applicable.
5. Learn Online
Entering the nursing field involves mastering a rigorous course of study – however, all your coursework can be completed online. Numerous nursing degree options now exist on the internet, rendering both BA and BS degrees more accessible and economical for every learner.
Web-based courses facilitate an effortless entry point to begin your academic journey. There's no need for an extensive application procedure, and it's unnecessary to spend upwards of $10,000 each term for enrollment. You will receive an equally prestigious education as you would in a traditional classroom setting, but without the exorbitant costs associated with on-campus tuition fees.
Various leading accelerated BSN programs online encompass:
- University of Texas Arlington: Takes as few as 15 months and costs $21,675 in total.
- University of Wisconsin Oshkosh: This 12-month course costs $41,500 in total.
- Madonna University: This program takes about 16 months and costs a total of $51,887.
Careers in Nursing
Earning a degree in nursing isn't confined to a single professional route. Indeed, the field of nursing includes numerous career options and specializations, all of which offer commendable wages.
Various nursing professions and their respective median earnings are as follows:
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse: $48,820
- Physician Assistant: $115,390
- Physical Therapist: $91,010
- Nurse Practitioner: $111,680
Start Earning Your Nursing Degree
How do you initiate the pursuit of your personal nursing degree? Begin by seeking out and selecting an online college that aligns with your requirements. Numerous choices exist that empower you to embark on a thrilling journey in the healthcare field.
Attaining a nursing degree can be economical, adaptable, and swift. It merely requires some online investigation. Search for a nursing degree program that provides cost-effective courses, delivering all the advantages of a conventional RN degree while avoiding substantial economic strain – and you can achieve this more quickly.
As with any decision, staying informed about current research is crucial. We suggest you evaluate a minimum of three to four alternatives prior to finalizing your choice. An online search usually provides the fastest, most comprehensive method to uncover all the advantages and disadvantages to consider.