Fresh out of high school or looking for a career change? Nursing degrees have an almost irresistible pull, calling students from all walks of life.
Whether you’re an undecided traditional first-year student or merely beginning to wonder, “Should I major in Nursing?” there are compelling and practical reasons to consider a Nursing program, perhaps an associate degree in Nursing.
If you’re looking for a rewarding career that will challenge you, support you, and surround you with people worth spending your life with, Nursing school will not disappoint.
Below, we’ll build an honest case of career-focused and more personal motivations for why a Nursing degree is worth pursuing.
1. Job security
There’s nothing like knowing you’ll be needed. Completing a Nursing degree, whether you begin with an associate degree in Nursing or finish a longer BSN program, means you’re unlikely to have issues finding employment after graduation.
Nurses are in near-constant, high demand as the healthcare industry continues to grow amid an aging population and continually developing technology. When it comes to schooling that pays for itself quickly, Nursing degrees are an excellent investment.
2. Salary potential (plus benefits)
Nursing employment most often comes with benefits, so you’re racking up PTO, retirement funds, and parental leave from day one on your job. Plus, the median salary, hovering around $90k according to recent BLS statistics, is solid and historically outpaces inflation.
On top of this sturdy foundation, nursing is a broad field of practice, with areas of specialization and opportunities for further study that lead to consistent raises and increased contributions over a long career, which we’ll unpack further below.
3. Direct positive impact locally and globally
Of course, we’d be remiss not to acknowledge that nursing is demanding, academically, physically, and emotionally. It’s not for the faint of heart. Still, for the right person, the rewards are significant, and the opportunity to make a daily, direct impact on patients, reflected globally in society at large, is its own reward.
4. Flexibility
Plus, nursing offers a lot of flexible options for different phases of life. No matter what your daily routine needs, there’s a nurse’s timetable you can work with.
Want a traditional 9-5? There’s a day clinic for you. Want to work three days a week? There’s 7-7 shift work for you. Want to move to a new city for six months? Explore travel nursing or medical missions. Need to move across the country to take care of aging parents? Not a problem, nursing jobs are everywhere.
Learn about the Nursing degree options available at University of Bridgeport.
5. Every day is different
Nursing is fast-paced and never boring, to put it mildly. For those who like a new challenge every day and are satisfied by solving problems on the go, studying in a Nursing program is often a wonderful fit.
6. Human connection and vulnerability
As mentioned, this job can be emotionally taxing, but the reward for this is high. Nurses are on the front lines of human suffering, supporting people at their weakest, which can open the door to deep connection between people in moments of real vulnerability.
To reiterate, it’s not for the faint of heart, but for those with solid self-care routines and a talent for connection and care, the question isn’t “Should I major in Nursing?” It’s “How soon can I find the right Nursing program for me?”
7. Nurses are lifelong learners
As mentioned briefly above, the academic nooks and crannies that curious nurses can explore throughout their careers are vast. Whether you want to own your own clinic, specialize in mental health, or educate the next generation of nurses, there’s always something new to learn, and likely an accelerated Nursing program to train you in the skills you’ll need.
8. Teamwork is everything
One major reward in nursing is the people you spend your life working beside. Who do you want to see every day? Who do you want on your team when things get tough on the job? If you’re looking to get to know other hard-working, resilient, service-oriented people, getting a Nursing degree is a great place to start.
9. Can join the nursing profession quickly
An often-overlooked advantage of attending Nursing school is how quickly you can join the workforce, especially if you’re more of a hands-on than classroom learner. Those with a few college credits under their belts can complete a BSN degree in just over two years.
But if that still sounds too long, or you want to start taking home a salary even sooner? There’s a path that leads you to qualified RN in even less time; an ADN degree can prep you to pass the NCLEX in just twenty months!
With the flexibility Nursing school and jobs can offer, you can always work toward your BSN degree online to expand your career and educational mobility later on as you learn which area of nursing you want to specialize in and explore more deeply.
Ready to take the next step? Learn more or apply today.