Do you have what it takes to become a nurse? If you seek a career that blends the best of social work and science, you could have what it takes to be a great nurse. However, it is a challenge that may not be for everyone.
Below, we help you answer the question “Should I Become a Nurse?”. Read on to find our top 5 career tips for those starting on this fantastic career journey.
1. Embrace the Loss of Routine
If you are considering a nurse career, then you must embrace the loss of routine. Your sleep patterns will vary, you will miss holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving, and it will be very unlikely you get the weekend off. This is because hospitals are staffed 24 hours a day, and nurses are at the core of that service.
Your shifts will most likely be for 12 hours. This means that patients will only face a change of staff twice a day, providing less need for timely handovers between staff and increasing communication. You will be working evenings, though not all the time.
2. Stay Educated
As a nurse, you will constantly be learning, both on and off the job. Even when you have the qualifications that allow you to begin, it is advised you carry on studying, either formally or in your own time. This is because the field of nursing and medicine is constantly evolving, as are laws and procedures.
This can be easily done with the number of online courses and qualifications available. You can also ask your employers to pay for any certificates or further education as part of their yearly budget. This may also result in an increase in your nurse salary.
3. Have a Plan
Becoming a nurse is not simply a case of qualifying, then finding a hospital to work at. There are a number of career options and pathways available to you. It helps to have a long term plan so you can decide upon the choices you wish to take.
Some specialists include midwives, hospice care nurses, pediatric nurses, and primary patient care. Each of these has its own sub specialisms that you may wish to pursue.
4. Learn to Balance Head and Heart
Nursing is grounded in science. It requires education and knowledge to deliver the correct care. However, it is also a social occupation and requires fantastic interpersonal skills.
Every day you will be dealing with a wide range of people, from children to the elderly. These people will often be in pain, be distressed, or may be lonely. As a nurse, it is up to you to ensure they leave feeling better than when they came into the surgery, both mentally and physically.
5. Should I Become a Nurse if I Don’t Like Stress? Probably Not!
Unfortunately, nursing is not a stress-free occupation. It is fraught with challenges, and there will be times when you want to change your career. You will see people suffer, and there will be times when your best is not enough to help someone.
However, nursing is hugely rewarding. You are the one who can change a person’s life and save them in the direst times. If you can deal with the ups and downs, you can become a great nurse.
Starting Your Career
If you got this far into the article, we have convinced you about starting this amazing career. Now you can answer the question “Should I become a nurse?” confidently, check with local career and guidance officers to see what qualifications you need.
If you enjoyed our helpful article, then check out the rest of our site. We have lots of handy hints on everything from careers to finance to help you work on being the best version of yourself you can be, starting today!
