Is Nursing a Good Field? How Can I Know if it's Right For Me?

Nursing is often called a 'calling,' and for good reason. It takes a special kind of person to care for those who cannot care for themselves, a dedicated individual who truly feels called to help others. If you feel compelled to care of others in their moments of need, nursing could be a great field for you.

What Does it Take to Become a Nurse?

Becoming a good nurse takes more than just the desire for help. It takes a solid set of skills that make it possible to do the job effectively each time you show up for a shift. Communication skills are at the top of the list in this regard. The best nurses know how to communicate efficiently with patients, doctors, surgeons, anesthesiologists, patient's family members, and every member of the healthcare team they meet.

Similarly, the best nurses have a solid attention to detail and can process critical information in short order. Nurses must be able to read medical charts and possess a solid understanding of the effects the medications and treatments they administer will have on patients.

Of course, sometimes what needs to be communicated isn't pleasant and this requires nurses to have a significant degree of empathy and emotional stability. Whether it's changing a bedpan or comforting a patient in their last moments, nurses are on the front lines and have the closest contact with patients and their family. This also requires nurses to have the ability to compartmentalize their own emotions and remain calm and focused even when the highest stakes are on the line.

What is the Nursing Environment Like?

Nursing is a great role for those who enjoy fluid and flexible work environments. From ever changing shifts to the types of situations you will be called upon to address, the only routine in nursing is that there is no such thing as a daily routine. While treatments and protocols are set in stone, the need for their application and the patients who will need care means that each day is a brand new day.

Nurses are also perpetual students. From learning about new medical techniques to mastering advances in technology, every day on the job is like the first day of school. There is always something new to learn and something interesting to discover. This makes it ideal for individuals who have a strong degree of curiosity and a solid desire to learn as much as they can about the field of medicine.

While nurses are required to keep their minds sharp, they also must keep their bodies physically fit. Nursing can be a physically demanding job that requires lifting patients and moving heavy equipment. While you don't need to be a bodybuilder, you will need to stay in shape so that you can stand up to the physical rigors of the day. 

What About Different Types of Nurses and their Specializations?

There are many types of nurses, and many specializations that nurses can earn to further enhance their opportunities. You can choose to specialize in cardiothoracic medicine, neurology, children's care, operating room, and much more. Adding specialized certifications and skill sets allows you to tailor your work towards the fields of medicine that are most interesting to you. It also creates flexibility in work environments, from private clinics to public hospitals, and nursing home facilities to in-home care.

Nurses are required to be licensed within the states where they wish to work. This licensure must be kept up to date; however, while many people fear "the boards" the reality is that nurses who graduate from accredited nursing programs are well prepared for the exams and questions required to pass the test. Moreover, many states make it easy for nurses to transfer their credentials across state lines. This makes it possible for nurses to pursue opportunities whenever and wherever they arise.

Are you interested in a nursing degree? If you want to earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing, ECPI University offers this degree at an accelerated rate. For more information about this exciting program, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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