Is Being a Nurse Worth It? [See What People are Hiding]

Is being a Nurse worth it? Well, while many would argue that yes, being a nurse is worth it, the answer to this question really depends on who you ask. 

The truth is that, though working as a nurse can be one of the most challenging jobs in the world, it can also lead to one of the most fulfilling careers as well.

Choosing to become a nurse isn’t an easy feat, and whether or not it’s worth it will depend on your personal goals and career aspirations.

Those in the profession will probably give you many reasons why becoming a nurse is the best career choice available. However, like any other career, it also has its downsides.

Every year there are thousands of students graduating with nursing degrees, so in this article, we’ll look at this argument from both sides and hopefully settle the score once and for all.

Who is a Nurse?

Nurses are healthcare professionals who provide medical care to patients, as directed by a doctor.

Generally, nurses may be differentiated from other health professionals by their approach to patients and their role in the healthcare team.

They practice in many specialties with differing levels of prescription authority. Many nurses provide care within the framework of physicians’ orders or under their supervision.

In addition to nursing care, nurses may engage in teaching and research activities at universities and other settings.

It’s a known fact that nursing is one of the largest professions in the world and its scope includes: providing health promotion and prevention advice; providing relief for people who are suffering; assisting in surgery; conducting medical research; and administering medication to patients.

6 Reasons Why Being a Nurse is Worth it

1. Nurses are always in demand

By Bureau of Labor Statistics predictions, the employment for registered nurses will grow by 9 percent between 2020 and 2030 which is obviously much faster than average for all occupations.

According to National Nursing Workforce Survey in 2020, Nurses make up the largest segment of the healthcare workforce, with more than 4.2 million RNs and 950,000 LPNs/LVNs in the United States alone.

Nurses are needed everywhere, from hospitals to nursing homes to schools and even private practices.

2. Job satisfaction is high (especially if you do it for the right reasons)

Nurses find their jobs fulfilling because they get to help people every day — whether that means soothing a crying baby or comforting an elderly patient who’s just learned he has terminal cancer.

Nurses also say they love being able to work with a team toward a common goal: providing excellent care to their patients.

3. You get to save lives every day

Whether it’s administering medications or performing life-saving surgery, nurses know that what they do matters, especially when it comes down to life-and-death situations for their patients.

Every day nurses go above and beyond the call of duty in order to ensure that their patients get the best possible care possible which often results in saving lives.

4. Good working hours and flexible scheduling

Another reason why being a nurse is worth it is because of the good working hours and flexible scheduling.

As a nurse, you’ll have control over how much you work and when you work, which makes it ideal for those who want some freedom in life.

You have the option to choose from a variety of shifts. Some nurses even work as travel nurses who travel from one assignment to another for short periods of time

5. You get to work with medical professionals

Working with other nurses and doctors can teach you so much about this field, which will benefit your career greatly down the line if you decide to go into nursing as a career path after graduation from school or college.

It also gives you access to all sorts of information about medicine that most people don’t know about unless they’ve worked in this field before or had family members who worked as nurses.

6. It’s an honorable position that will earn you respect in the society

Nurses are on the front lines of healthcare, providing care to people who need it. It’s also an important profession that helps keep the world healthy and safe.

As important pillars holding the healthcare system, nurses help to save lives every single day. For these reasons, people see it as an honorable position that deserves respect.

Why People Think Being a Nurse is Not Worth it

1. Nurses do not earn enough

How much do nurses earn? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average registered nurse salary is $82,750 and the median (50th percentile) is $77,600.

California, with RN salaries averaging $124,000, is the highest-paying state for nurses In the United States.

A nurse’s salary is still low compared to other professions with similar qualifications and experience.

Many nurses get frustrated because they don’t feel like they’re being paid enough for all that they do and all that they sacrifice to care for patients.

2. Long working hours

Being a nurse means working long shifts and shifts that are unpredictable. Nurses often work 12-hour shifts, which means they may not get to see their families during the week because they have so much work to do at the hospital or clinic where they work.

The same goes for weekends; if there is an emergency or someone gets sick on Saturday night, nurses may have to stay at work until things are under control again.

3. Not being respected as a professional

Nurses are often referred to as ‘doctors’ assistants’ by patients and other medical professionals, which can be quite demeaning for them.

They also have to deal with many angry patients who blame them for whatever happens during their treatment or recovery period, even if it was completely out of their control (such as an infection).

This makes many nurses feel unappreciated and lowers their self-esteem significantly.

4. There are many stressful and difficult days

Many people think that the nurse’s job is easy because they only have to take care of patients while they rest or sleep, but this is far from being true.

Nurses have many stressful days at work where they have to deal with difficult situations.

There are days they don’t even get to rest for a few minutes while running up and down, attending to patients.

5. Working with people who are ill is demanding

The fact that nurses always work with people who are ill can be difficult at times as well because some patients can be difficult to deal with.

Some of them will refuse treatment and demand something else instead or even refuse to cooperate at all with the nurses who are trying to help them get better. This can be emotionally draining.

What Are the Different Types of Nurses?

  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
  • Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
  • Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
  • Registered Nurse (RN)
  • Nurse Case Manager
  • Surgical Assistant Registered Nurse
  • Home Care Registered Nurse
  • Emergency Room Registered Nurse
  • Labor and Delivery Nurse
  • Clinical Nurse Supervisor
  • Critical Care Registered Nurse
  • Health Informatics Nurse Specialist

What are the Steps to Becoming a Registered Nurse?

  • Earn a degree from an accredited institution
  • Pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX) exam
  • Obtain a nursing license in the state that you wish to practice in
  • Seek Advanced Training (optional)

FAQs

How long does take to become a nurse?

For a licensed registered nurse (RN), you must complete an associate degree, which typically takes 2 to 3 years to complete. This is after you have fully completed the academic program at an accredited college or university.

Can a registered nurse become a millionaire?

Yes, if he or she knows how to save and invest wisely, a nurse can become a millionaire. It’s not easy (otherwise, everybody would be millionaires), but it’s not impossible.

How do you know if nursing is not for you?

Nursing is not for you if you don’t have a caring personality, blood freak you out, you can’t multitask, you’re not a calm person, not physically and emotionally strong, etc.

Conclusion: Is Being a Nurse Worth It?

Nursing is a highly valued profession and it’s worth it, but is it the right one for you? As the world becomes increasingly more technologically advanced and scientific, it is time that we reconsider our preconceived notions of what we think being a nurse entails.

If you enjoy helping people and have a talent for taking care of others with compassion and empathy, nursing may be a career worth considering. But you must know nursing is one of the most difficult and rewarding careers out there.

In conclusion, like every other profession, it’s all about weighing the advantages and downsides. As much as exciting and rewarding as being a nurse is, it comes with its own changes. Therefore be sure you’re up for the challenge before choosing nursing as a career.

I hope you found this article helpful. You should also read about if being a psychologist is worth it or not.

Thanks for reading.