Nursing has been a crucial job for our community from the past to the present. This profession is and has always been in demand due to the rise of catastrophes of the human race.
People who are pursuing a career in the medical field don’t get into nursing very easily due to intensive practical training and core physiological studies.
According to a recent article by UpGrad,
“2 million nurses have been registered in the Indian Medical Council. Although a huge number, it still falls short of catering to the 1.4 billion population of India”.
But why, after all those demands, people are still struggling to get good nursing job opportunities?
No worries, by reaching the finish line of this article, you will be aware of every detail and parameter involved in getting a good nursing vacancy.
Without any further ado, let’s get started!
First, What Type of Nursing Degree Should I Get?
Interestingly, All nurses start with the same basic degree—a BSN. There are exceptions to how you can get it. For instance, some people might have an ABSN written on their degree. This just means that they complete their bachelor’s curriculum at an increased pace.
Other people might start with an associate’s degree and then switch to a bachelor’s degree. Many ways to achieve the same goal. Once you get your degree, you go on to take the NCLEX. Then, and only then, can you work as a licensed nurse.
If you want to learn about some of the more varied nursing career paths, your next step will be to look into getting either an advanced degree or a specialized certification.
Understanding Nursing Certifications
Personalized certifications open gateways to most alternative nursing professions. What do school nurses, flight nurses, forensic nurses, diabetes educators, and travel nurses all have in common? They each got a skilled certification, allowing them to work in their desired field.
Obtaining your specialized nursing certification can take years to complete, but the good news is that you usually won’t need to wait for many years to start pursuing your dream career. For example, let’s say that your objective is to be a diabetes educator. You are diabetic, and helping the newly diagnosed manage their symptoms is something that matters a lot to you.
But wait! Getting certified as a diabetes educator involves about two more years’ worth of jumping through hoops. What is a person to do?
Did you know?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates job growth for registered nurses (RNs) to be 6% from 2021 through 2031, as fast as average. At this growth rate, healthcare employers are expected to hire about 203,200 new nurses each year through 2031.
(Northeastern University Nursing School)
Start Work Now, Get Certified Later!
Because most occupations require practical experience before you can become fully licensed, many people can start working while they are studying their courses. They may not have a full range of obligations until they get their cert, but it’s a good start.
Another approach you can take is to go to diploma school. This will be a good fit for people who are intrigued in either becoming a nursing leader or working as a nurse practitioner. In both cases, the process will extend for a few years, and tens of thousands of dollars to achieve it.
Is it worth giving a shot? That ultimately depends on your career planning mindset. It is worth keeping in mind that people with advanced nursing degrees—often called “advanced practice nurses,” can make six-figure salaries.
The advantageous side? If you are already working as a nurse, there is a reasonably good chance that your employer will pay for some or all of whatever advanced professional credentials you decide to get.
Jobs You Can Get With a Degree in Nursing
We’ve glanced at a few careers that you can get with a BSN and/or an additional certification. In the next few categories, we will spotlight various careers that might be worth discussing and approaching.
As you can see, the graph attached here provides complete growth statistics for the nursing service market. This market will approximately grow at a CAGR of 8.21% by 2030.
School Nursing
School nursing is reasonably accessible because it only requires a simple certification, that provides you numerous opportunities to work in the school atmosphere. Because most situations that these nurses experience involve much less uncertainty than you might encounter at the hospital, the responsibilities will feel easy compared to those of a floor nurse.
This is not to say that it is as smooth, as butter on a hot knife. There are state reporting requirements you will need to learn. Plus, you’re one of those “school-wide,” professionals who have the privilege, of offering assistance to the entire student body. Rewarding? Sure, but also a challenge in its own right.
Still, can’t beat summer’s off, right?
Forensic Nurses
Forensic nurses work with law prosecution agencies to treat victims of violent crimes and retrieve evidence. When they are not vacant with this task, they often spend their time preparing records for court appearances—either in cases that they worked on themselves, or others that they are simply able to provide specialized testimony for.
It’s important work. It’s also very difficult. Forensic nurses spend a lot of time working with victims of sexual assault.
Flight Nurses
Flight nurses work with the public transport division of the hospital. When a patient needs to be lifted from one location to the next by helicopter, they will usually require a team of trained professionals to execute these evacuations.
The work is high stakes. Helicopters aren’t extremely reliable to begin with, and patients who find themselves in the company of a flight nurse are typically about as high risk as it gets. Still, can you imagine a more thrilling job?
Conclusion
You can pursue almost any of these certifications immediately after graduation if you want. Still, most people find that complex world of diverse nursing interesting.
Floor nursing is, admittedly, where a lot of people get exhausted with the profession. Long hours. Difficult shifts. Extremely emotionally challenging work. Pay that, while comfortable, doesn’t begin to reflect the value of their contributions.
Still, it’s also where most people learn the ropes. It’s where many nurses discover their passions. Learn the job, and meet lifelong friends.
It doesn’t even have to be a cutting axe. Many people find that floor nursing is exactly the right fit for them.
You don’t know until you know. Get out there and explore healthcare through nursing. One way or another, you are sure to find a job that fills you with joy and passion.
