Is Nursing the Career for You?

Although the economy seems to be in a slump and jobs everywhere are disappearing, the health care industry is experiencing a shortage! Nursing, and health care in general, is the fastest growing profession throughout the world currently, and that demand is expected to increase, specifically in the United States, as baby boomers retire from their positions as Registered Nurses (RN) and other health care professionals and, themselves, enter the health care system in greater numbers. Nurses' salaries, a hot topic less than twenty years ago, have drawn even to professions requiring similar education, and the benefits sometimes include housing assistance, sign-on bonuses, automobiles, and free childcare. However, job security and attractive salary/benefits alone shouldn't be what guides you into your decision to become a nurse or not.

If you are considering a career as an RN, you need to get as much exposure to a variety of aspects of nursing as you can. Many hospitals offer volunteer opportunities which are especially useful to individuals who are considering a career in the healthcare industry. Getting as much hands-on experience as you can will help you make the best decision about your future. You may find that it is possible to job shadow a nurse to observe what his or her daily routine is like. A few nursing programs are beginning to offer "nurse camp" in which you live on campus and attend events and tours at the local hospitals for a week in the summer. Most nurse camps offer CPR training and basic diagnostic skills such as taking vital signs. This allows the student to experience a lot of what nursing is like without committing a great deal of time or money to find if the career suits.

While it is true that nursing involves a high degree of skill in math and the sciences, it also involves a great deal of emotional strength and compassion. Whether you decide to become an Licensed Practical Nurse or a Registered Nurse, you will need to have a firm grasp of basic chemistry, biology, algebra and have a solid grounding in basic body function and anatomy. Obviously, because you will be dealing with patients, patients' families, doctors, other nurses and healthcare professionals, you will need to have strong communication skills and be able to project empathy and compassion to frightened or grieving families. Finally, nursing is not easy work, and much of is it physically demanding. If you do not like to work hard, and are not willing to commit a lot of time to becoming good at your profession, becoming an RN may not be a good choice for you.

Once you decide to become a nurse, you will want to consider the options open to you beyond simply chasing a gurney in the Emergency Room. As an RN you may want to work in pediatrics, geriatrics, a private practice or as a palliative care nurse. If the daily grind of a hospital or clinic is not appealing, you may find becoming a private duty or home health nurse rewarding. In this kind of position a nurse will have several clients with whom he or she visits on a scheduled basis and administers care in the patient's home. It may also be possible to work as a nurse consultant, an educator or as a sales representative for a health care company (such as a pharmaceutical or supply dealer).

Becoming a Registered Nurse should involve a long process of examining the career to be certain that it is what you want to do. Even within the scope of the RN's duties that are many choices to be made. If you are someone who is compassionate, strong, and enjoys helping people in times of sorrow and triumph, then this may be a great career fit for you.