All About Nursing School: 6 Fun Facts About Nursing, Education, and this Amazing Profession
Nurses always play the heroes. OK, maybe not Nurse Jackie or Ratchet, but you've got to admit that most of the time, TV nurses are caring, charismatic and quite possibly the most lovable characters. In other words, TV nurses are a lot like real-life nurses. Yes, whether on the small screen or in everyday life, nurses always seem to play the heroes.
To truly understand why the profession is so amazing, you're going to want to take a look at these six fun and fascinating facts about nursing:
1) Nursing has some awesome rock stars
When most people think about the history of the nursing profession, two names tend to come to mind: Florence Nightingale and Linda Richards. The former is revered for professionalizing the field, the latter for being the first training nurse in the United States.
Both are considered trailblazers and deserve a ton of credit for all of their contributions. Before they came along, nurses didn't play as large a role in hospitals as they do now (thank you, Ms. Nightingale) and nurses did not receive the outstanding training that they do today (and thank you, Ms. Richards).
And then there's Clara Barton, the Civil War nurse who founded the American Red Cross, and Walt Whitman, the famed poet, who also served as a nurse during the Civil War.
Every profession needs its rock stars, and nursing certainly has some good ones.
2) Nearly everyone trusts nurses
Sixteen years. That's how long nurses have been the most-trusted professionals in the United States, according to Gallop's annual poll, according to National Nurses United.
That's impressive.
Gallop says that more than 80 percent of Americans describe nurses ethics' as "very high" or "high." That tops doctors, teachers and judges -- and has for years!
3) Nurses are nearly everywhere
Most people think nurses work in hospitals and clinics, and many do, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But they also work in senior living facilities, schools and college campuses, Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and medical research centers.
Oh, you can also find nurses on cruise ships, at professional sporting events, working on Hollywood film and television sets, and even at Disneyland. Yes, nurses are nearly everywhere, which is why working in the profession can be so exciting.
4) Nurses like their jobs
Nurses are lucky; they like their jobs.
According to the latest annual Medscape Nurse Career Satisfaction Survey, more than 95 percent of nurses -- regardless of their role, specialty area, gender identity or age -- said they're glad to have become nurses.
Most cited their ability to help people and make a difference in the lives' of others as the most rewarding part of the job. They also listed their overall job duties, relationships, and the opportunity to work in a variety of settings as things they like about being nurses.
5) Nurses are always on the move
If you're the type of person who likes to stay active and fit, consider a future in nursing.
According to a study published in MEDSURG Nursing, which was highlighted on the TravelNursing.com website. It found that most nurses walk somewhere between four and five miles during an average 12-hour shift.
This is why most nurses never have a problem getting in their 10,000 daily steps.
6) Nurses can specialize
If you think nursing only involves bedside care in a traditional hospital setting, think again.
Nurses can specialize in an array of areas that range from cardiac care to case management to dermatology to domestic violence.
This is exciting for any aspiring nurse because it means that you have options. You can find a specialty that aligns with your personal interests, professional goals, skills and ambitions--and then enjoy a long, rewarding future in your field.
Are you ready?
If you want to become a nurse, a great place to start is by earning an Associate Degree of Nursing. ECPI University offers this degree at an accelerated pace. For more information on this exciting program, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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