5 Reasons to Consider a Career Change to Nursing

A career change isn’t the easiest decision, especially after considering the time and effort you’ve put into getting to where you are now. However, if your career isn’t fulfilling, lacks work-life balance, or is low paying, consider changing to a different one.

It could also be time for a change if your values have changed, you’re looking for a new challenge, or you aren’t happy where you’re. Becoming a nurse can be rewarding. This article outlines five reasons to consider a career change to nursing.

1. There’s a high demand for nursing professionals

According to statistics, the RN (registered nurses) workforce is projected to increase by 6% throughout the next decade. The workforce is anticipated to rise to 3.3 million in 2031 from 3.1 million in 2021, a 195,400 increase in nurses. When workforce exits and nurse retirements are considered for nurses required in the US, these statistics further project 203,200 vacancies for RNs yearly through 2031.

The nursing shortage issue is compounded by the reality that nursing schools in the country are finding it challenging to grow their capacity to attain the increasing demand for care. Completing a nursing course such as an online accelerated BSN second degree program can help you contribute to meeting the demand for nurses.

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2. Career advancement opportunities

Nursing has unlimited advancement and learning opportunities. Medical services and medicine advances increase the need for highly qualified nurses ready to offer specialized skills in various service and clinical areas. The primary care professionals shortage pressurizes the nursing sector to fill the gap. RN advancement via education is attainable and crucial for continued healthcare system functioning.

You can advance your nursing career by obtaining specialty certification within your clinical area or furthering your education by getting a Bachelor’s degree in nursing or a DNP/ MSN degree. A postgraduate certificate in supporting fields like Education and Informatics and growing your nursing knowledge and skill set through continuing education courses can boost your advancement.

3. Nursing is highly rewarding

Nursing is a fulfilling career whose pay is attractive. Working as a nurse enables you to make a difference in other people’s lives, which can be emotionally rewarding. Since nursing is constantly progressing, you can keep growing, training, and learning. You can even choose various career paths within nursing, including clinical practice, aged care, intensive care, case management, leadership, and more. Nurses usually have high demand regardless of where you work, translating to job security. Nursing is a flexible career that allows one to work in shifts and settings like home care, aged care, schools, and hospitals.

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4. Nursing has various career options

While healthcare professionals primarily concentrate on caring for patients across different healthcare settings, there are various career paths nurses can consider. You can work as a registered nurse, nurse practitioner, nursing manager, nurse educator, medical assistant, cardiac nurse, clinical nurse specialist, family nurse practitioner, critical care nurse, and more.

5. There’s no monotony

Unlike many other careers, each day has unique challenges, and patients differ. This helps keep you interested and engaged in your work while looking forward to what each day offers.