If you are compassionate and caring, motivated and committed, calm under pressure and interested in career advancement opportunities, you may have what it takes to be a nurse. If you want to help people as an RN, ABSN@UST might be a good fit for you!
Nursing is an exciting, flexible and rewarding career that will keep you on your toes. Of course, that sounds great to anyone, but how do you know if nursing is right for you?
If you’ve ever thought “do I have what it takes to be a nurse?” you owe it to yourself to dive deeper and see if you’d be a good fit for the University of St. Thomas Houston’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program. With UST’s 12-month ABSN program, you don’t have to go back to school for years before entering the field to help.
One major reason you should become a nurse is to help close the gap on the nursing shortage. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the demand for nurses is slated to increase as the current generation of nurses begins to retire, the need for more complex health care grows and the Baby Boomer generation ages and begins to need more care. With more BSN educated nurses, workloads can be lighter, and nurses can give better, more individualized care — potentially improving patient outcomes.
Additionally, as the healthcare field continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and find new, more efficient processes to treat patients experiencing symptoms, it will need well-educated and well-prepared nurses to forge ahead.
Luckily, we have compiled a list of seven ways to tell if you have what it takes to be a nurse:
1. You Are Motivated and Committed
Our 12-month accelerated nursing program, also called ABSN@UST, requires students to have dedication and drive. The fast-tracked curriculum and online coursework demand diligence and hard work in order to be successful, and those values don’t change after graduation.
If you’re wondering if nursing is right for you, you need to determine how committed and motivated you are to becoming a nurse and providing quality healthcare. In the nursing field this can include making an effort to stay up to date on new policies and procedures, earning certifications in specialized areas and going above and beyond to be an asset to your workplace.
2. You Perform Well Under Pressure
While it may seem obvious, it’s worth mentioning that working in the healthcare field can get hectic at times. You may have to deal with situations you don’t expect or take on different roles as needed.
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When asking, “should I be a nurse?” an important factor to consider is if you’re able to remain calm and collected during chaotic situations. Working as a nurse can be very rewarding and fulfilling, but there will certainly be times that feel stressful or even out of your control. Being a knowledgeable and dependable nurse during these times is vital, and giving care under stress isn’t something that’s right for everyone.
3. You Are Caring and Compassionate
If you’re someone who connects easily with other people and is good at making people feel comfortable, your skills will serve you well as a nurse. Patient care goes hand-in-hand with compassion, so being able to talk to people from all different walks of life and give them the same attention and care is a big part of the job. As a nurse you’ll encounter all kinds of people and need to deliver care with respect, dignity and kindness no matter who they are.
4. You Want to Help People
If you feel a call toward helping people, nursing could be right for you. As a nurse, you may need to work long hours, do a variety of jobs and put in significant energy. If helping people isn’t your main driver and your motivation to keep going, nursing may be a challenge. On the flip side, if putting a smile on a patient’s face or assisting a patient with a difficult problem reenergizes you, nursing may be a fulfilling career for you.
5. You’re Looking For a Career With Opportunity to Grow
Nursing is a dynamic career that has lots of different avenues to explore. Becoming a nurse may not just mean working in a hospital setting. It also includes less traditional pathways such as:
- Travel Nurse
- Home Healthcare Nurse
- Legal Nurse Consultant
ABSN@UST covers a wide range of nursing topics, taking a deeper dive into research, management and community health to make graduates into marketable nurses with in-demand skills. With a BSN from the University of St. Thomas, you’ll be well-positioned for a career as a nurse, or you can go on to an advanced nursing degree to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), such as a nurse practitioner.
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During your 12 months as an ABSN@UST student, you’ll complete 58 credit hours spread over three full-time semesters. The ABSN@UST curriculum builds your foundational nursing knowledge and prepares you to sit for the NCLEX-RN® exam, ensuring you have the skills to become a competent and confident nurse.
No matter what opportunities you’re looking to seize in the healthcare industry, a BSN is a great step to take.
6. You’re Prepared For Nursing School
Because our program incorporates the curriculum of a traditional four-year program into just 12 months, it’s important that you understand how rigorous the program is. You’ll need to be organized and on top of assignments, quizzes, lab work, clinicals and more. You’ll also need to give the program your full attention and make it your first priority for the duration of your time in the program.
7. You Love Being Active
Nursing requires you to quickly move to and from patient rooms, stay on your feet for long periods of time and lift heavy items and occasionally people. If you love a fast-paced environment and enjoy staying active during your shift, nursing could be a great career for you.
Make a Bold Call For Your Future
If you’re still wondering, “should I become a nurse?” then a conversation with our admissions counselors will help you determine if you’re right for our program.
The admissions counselors at ABSN@UST are here to answer any questions you may have about our 12-month ABSN program. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you start your nursing journey.