Reasons Why Nursing Career is One Of the Strongest Career Paths Across The World
There is no gain-saying about it Nursing career is often
regarded to be one of the recession-proof careers that are constantly always in
need of. Hence, going into a nursing career is indeed the right way to go if
you want to venture into a career that will give you an edge over others in the
world of work.
As it is highly probable to cut back some other career fields when the economy is not favorable in most cases, however, the reverse is the case when you venture into a nursing career.
This is because the medical
care career is an integral part of our lives that can't just be toiled with.
The service rendered in a nursing career will always be in urgent need.
Getting sick has nothing to do with whether you are rich
or poor. It's part of our lifestyle to either get sick or injured. This,
therefore, makes visiting a hospital or doctor an important vocation that can't
be run away from, from time to time.
When people get sick, there is no doubt about it very few
people always think about medical bills before visiting the hospital in the
case of an emergency. Because health is wealth.
One simple truth is that medical careers in general, and
nurses in particular, are growing at a rate that is quicker than most other
careers. And, need for healthcare workers, as well as caregiver services, are
needed across the board, with a growing demand in hospitals, homes, orphanages,
healthcare facilities, healthcare agencies as well as physician's offices to
mention just a few.
Nurses are equally employed in other settings, such as
community health departments, and schools as telephone consultants for managed
caregiver providers.
Another important point to take note of is that there is
a growing need for healthcare service providers. The reasons for this are not
far-fetched because there is a constant growth of the aging population in the
US. The baby boomer population, which is known to be the largest in US history,
is getting older, and alongside it is the increase in the need for medical care
and attention. Older patients have different needs than younger ones. This will
lead to a growing demand for nurses that are willing to work in the long-term
care setting as well as nurses that work in home healthcare.
Another consideration in the aging population is
skyrocketing medical costs. While advancements in medical care mean that many
conditions can be treated more successfully than in the past years when
traditional methods are adopted, technology on the other hand, no doubt comes
at a price. Patients are spending less time than ever in the hospital. Once
their condition is managed, they are released to a nursing facility or their
home to guide them against retardation.
In the time past, many prefer working with home health
agencies purposely to get their sick ones treated at home. They, therefore,
employ nurse's aides to visit their in-home patients, especially for drug
administration-related issues. With the increased medical demands and need for
training, the services of registered nurses are becoming sought-after to
complement many home health agencies' rosters of bringing health care services
close to the populace.
When you are in a Nursing career, it's highly important
that you recession-proof your career. Because many people are still unemployed.
Some of these people are not working by choice, and others may not be able to
find a job in their area, or the wage is not high enough to justify being hired
as a babysitter. For some others, the only jobs available may require shift
work, which some people may consider embarrassing and thereby not making them
have the interest to work at all.
What Do You Need to Do?
i. To best position yourself for the growing need for
nurses, and make sure that you are recession-proof, take some proactive steps
to improve your chance of not being idle.
ii. Invest in
a bachelor's degree. Although you can become an RN with an associate's degree,
and you will still be an RN once you complete your bachelor's degree, it is
very worthwhile and beneficial to your career. Many healthcare settings require
anyone in management to have a four-year degree, and you will need it if you
want to pursue a nurse practitioner degree in the nearest future
iii. Consider
a nurse practitioner program. Many hospitals offer tuition reimbursement, so
pursuing a graduate degree is surprisingly affordable. As healthcare needs are
continuing to grow, nurse practitioners, that are known to diagnose, treat and
prescribe and administer drugs, just like a doctor, are becoming increasingly
in high demand.
iv. You too can become a Specialist. Do you know that
whatever area you may be working, in or want to work in, consider yourself
taking part in a specialization program? This will allow you to stay beyond
your colleagues. For example, take continuing education programs in emergency
care, pediatrics, or any other field you work in. The point is, make yourself
an expert.
v. Make
Yourself Known Among Your Colleagues. You will have to socialize with other
nurses at other care facilities. This will no doubt make your chance to be
bright especially to get more information about opportunities that may elude
you if you don't move closer to your colleagues. There are more job
opportunities for nurses than you can imagine. If you find yourself on the hunt
for a job, networking is the quickest way to find a new position.
vi. Understand
that recession-proof in most cases does not mean it's lucrative. Though the pay
scale for nursing, today may be strong, there is no guarantee that it will
remain like that for a very long time. Virtually every day, hospitals are
always on the lookout to cut costs, and there are only so many ends to trim. At
some point salaries and hours may be cut, and a nurse's patient load may
increase. If this happens, the job becomes infinitely more stressful. And
coping with these situations may be cumbersome and the only way out is to quit.
Then, what are you going to do?
You Need To Find A Balance
Because of the high demand for nurses, so many people in
this profession have decided to work long hours in multiple positions purposely
to increase their take-home. For example, Per Diem positions are lucrative for
the nurse who wants to stay home with her children but desires a little extra
cash. As more people realize the job security offered by nursing, it is
expected that more people will choose it as a career. And more challenges will
be opened to this career path. What is currently unknown is if the supply will
keep up with the demand for this noble profession.
