Choosing a career can be an intimidating task whether you are new to the job force or changing career fields. For those considering a rewarding job in the healthcare industry, consider nursing. US News lists several nursing positions in the top ten of 100 Best Jobs, with Nurse Anesthetist ranking fourth and Nurse Practitioner ranking sixth. What makes nursing jobs rank so high on this list? Here are five reasons why nurses love their jobs.
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Flexibility
A nurse’s schedule is one the greatest perks of the job. Depending on where you work, you can work three 12-hour shifts and then have four days off. Working part-time, full-time, or per diem are all viable options.
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High salary
The average pay for a Registered Nurse is slightly over $66,000 per year, while the median range for a Nurse Practitioner is upwards of $98,000. Not bad for working four days a week!
- Strong personal satisfaction
While a good salary within a stable job field is desirable, it is likely that the desire to do good and help others is what inspired people to enroll in nursing school in the first place. Patients, particularly those in Labor & Delivery units, often describe their nurse as their guardian angel.
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Freedom
Enrolling in nursing school is a decision that will continue to open doors for you. You have the freedom to work literally anywhere in the world – cities, rural towns, domestically, or aboard. You can work in a hospital, in a private practice, as a teacher in a nursing school, in a research lab, for nonprofit mission trips, or even for the military. The options are endless.
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Less Debt
When deciding between medical school and nursing school, nursing school is the clear winner when it comes to the financial aspect. Nursing school allows you to start your career sooner and with significantly less debt than medical school. You’ll still be caring for sick and injured patients but with a lot less debt.