1. Many different types of nursing.
There are more than a hundred different types of nursing jobs. ER Nurse, ICU Nurse, OR Nurse, School Nurse, Occupational Nurse, Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Practitioner, Cath Lab Nurse, Cruise Ship Nurse, Travel Nurse, Case Management Nurse, Insurance Billing Nurse, Legal Nurse, Informatics, Administration, Private Duty, and on and on. If you get burned out or tired of one type of nursing specialty… go try another type.
2. You can work anywhere in the world.
Any country, any state, any city and any town. While the location, language, facility, and equipment may change… nursing is nursing.
3. Scrubs
I love wearing scrubs to work. They are comfortable. I like that I don’t have to think about what to wear or putting an outfit together. It’s sort of like wearing pajamas to work… and I love that.
4. Camaraderie
It’s a sisterhood… a brotherhood… a nursehood. It’s working together… through the tragedies, traumas, codes, deaths, and literally blood, sweat, puke, and tears. Unless you are a nurse, you can never really understand how it feels to grow an attachment to your patient, work for hours and even days to save him/her, and then watch them die. The exhaustion, the unfairness, the heartbreak, working holidays together, making friends, laughing, crying… There is a bond, a friendship, a trust, and sometimes it is the only reason to get up, put on a pair of scrubs, and go back in for another shift.
5. It is never boring.
No two days are ever the same. It’s sad, it’s funny, it’s heartbreaking, it’s hard, it’s crazy… but it is never, ever boring!
6. Pay
Nurses can actually make fairly good money. Some types of nurses and some locations pay better than others, but as a whole, nurses can make a fairly good living.
7. Schedule
This one is actually a double edge sword. Sometimes the schedule can be bad because nurses have to work holidays, weekends, long shifts, mandated overtime, and swing shifts. However, it is also a good thing as nurses can have a flexible schedule. It is nice not being stuck in a typical 9-5, Monday thru Friday work schedule. Some nurses work three 12 hour shifts a week and have four days off. Some use the swing shift options to create a schedule that works for family and childcare. For example, working night shift so that you are always able to go to your child’s school functions, or working only weekends, etc. Some nurses will stack all their shifts together for a two-week period and create a “mini vacation” every month.
8. It is a respected profession
People use to think of nurses as just caretakers who emptied bedpans. Over the years, nursing has transitioned into a true profession. Today’s nurses are exceptionally skilled and highly trained. Nurses are educated with college degrees: Diploma, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP. Nursing has become very high tech with computers, electronic charting, ventilators, hemodynamic monitoring, etc. Take a look in a trauma bay or ICU room and the amount of technology will amaze you. Who do you think runs this high-tech equipment – setting up the equipment, monitoring, troubleshooting, calibrating?
9. High Demand
Nursing is a profession that offers exceptional job security. With the demand for healthcare professionals on the rise, nurses are in high demand across the globe. This means that nurses can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing their job is secure.
10. Pride
I am so proud to be a nurse. People love nurses. People trust nurses. According to the Gallup Poll, Nurses have been rated the most trusted profession for the 21st year in a row. I get to help people and feel good about my job. Even after 25 years… I can honestly say I still love being a nurse.
