Before making a career change to nursing, you'll want to consider the many pros and cons of nursing. Some of the benefits of being a nurse include strong earning potential, diverse nursing specialties and opportunities for career advancement. Some drawbacks include exposure to germs and the need for physical stamina.
You might know about the benefits of being a nurse, such as rewarding work and good pay, but you might not have considered the difficulties. A firm understanding of the pros and cons of nursing can allow you to make an informed decision and head into nursing school better prepared to tackle challenges.
The University of St. Thomas’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program offers a realistic introduction to the nursing world. In this program, you’ll tackle patient care scenarios in simulation labs and work clinical rotation shifts at nearby healthcare facilities, where you’ll discover what it’s really like to work as a nurse.
The Benefits of Being a Nurse
When considering the benefits of nursing, one of the most obvious perks is having a worthwhile career that involves making a difference in people’s lives. Beyond this, there are many practical advantages.
1. Make a Difference
During the pandemic and its aftermath, many people switched careers and industries. There were various reasons for the trend, but one that stood out was the opportunity to have a positive impact. In fact, 31% of workers surveyed stated that they switched careers because they felt that their current job wasn’t aligned with their values; they wanted to make a positive difference.
For many nursing students, a career that allows them to positively impact the lives of other people is a significant motivator and a top benefit of being a nurse.
2. Salary Potential and Job Growth Rate
Beyond altruistic reasons, there are plenty of advantages of nursing. As a nurse, you can reasonably expect to have solid earning potential. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual salary for all types of registered nurses (RNs) was $86,070 as of May 2023.
If you pursue career advancement and become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), you can expect even stronger earning potential. The BLS reports that the median annual salary for most types of APRNs was $129,480 as of May 2023.
Furthermore, nurses are needed everywhere across the country. The BLS estimates that the job growth rate for RNs will be 6% from 2023 through 2033, faster than the average for all occupations, indicating that healthcare employers are expected to hire about 197,200 new RNs during this time period.
The estimated job growth rate for most types of APRNs is even more robust at 40% from 2023 through 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. Employers are expected to hire around 141,200 new APRNs.
3. Diverse Workplace Settings
When evaluating the pros and cons of nursing, consider the diverse workplace possibilities. Many nurses work in hospitals, but there are other workplace settings for nurses. For example, you could pursue employment in one of the following settings:
- Bariatric surgery center
- Dermatology practice
- Doctor’s office
- Home health agency
- Hospice agency
- Inpatient addiction treatment center
- Insurance company or another type of corporation
- K-12 school
- University
- Outpatient physical rehabilitation center
- Plastic surgery clinic
Once you have advanced credentials, you can move into nursing research or become a nursing instructor at a school.
4. Many Nursing Specialties
Among the many benefits of being a nurse is the vast range of specialization possibilities. You can shape your career according to your interests and passion. For example, you could choose to work with a specific patient population in pediatrics, geriatrics, or women’s health. Alternatively, you could choose a nursing specialty focused on a particular health condition, such as oncology nursing, or dialysis nursing.
The following are some other possibilities:
- Cardiac care nurse
- Emergency medical evacuation flight nurse
- Medical-surgical nurse
- Orthopedic nurse
- Trauma nurse
- Urgent care nurse
During the ABSN program at UST, your clinical rotations will introduce you to a few different nursing specialties, such as mental health, obstetrics, and community health.
Could disaster nursing be the right career choice for you?
5. Opportunities for Career Growth
After earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), obtaining licensure, and gaining some clinical experience, you could be eligible for career advancement opportunities.
For example, you could earn professional certifications in your nursing specialty. You could also go back to school to earn a Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice. With a graduate degree, you could pursue board certification in your specialty and become an APRN, such as a clinical nurse specialist or certified registered nurse anesthetist. Alternatively, you might decide to transition into nursing administration, research, or education.
6. You Can Get Started Sooner Than You’d Think
Despite the many benefits of being a nurse, you might hesitate to take a leap of faith for fear that it will take a long time to switch careers. You can rest assured that UST’s accelerated nursing program was designed for career switchers like you.
If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 non-nursing college credits, you might be eligible to apply to our program. After you have completed the prerequisite courses, you can earn your BSN in as few as 12 months. There are three start dates each year, which means that we can accept more students and you can start sooner.
The Challenges of Nursing
An understanding of the main pros and cons of nursing can help you decide whether this is the right career move for you. Consider the potential drawbacks outlined below.
1. The Need for Physical Stamina
It’s helpful to be in good overall health and to have good physical stamina in this line of work. Nurses often work long shifts, spending much of that time on their feet, moving from one patient’s room to the next. They also frequently need to help move or lift patients who cannot ambulate on their own.
Keep in mind, however, that many healthcare facilities invest in equipment that assists in moving patients. Furthermore, not every nursing specialty requires a great deal of physical stamina. If you choose to become a school nurse, for example, you likely won’t be on your feet as much as medical-surgical nurses.
2. Exposure to Bodily Fluids and Germs
Most types of nurses risk exposure to microorganisms and bodily fluids. This is why hospitals enact strict safety protocols for nurses. Following these safety requirements reduces the risk of contracting an illness due to exposure.
In addition, not all nursing specialties necessarily expose you to germs and bodily fluids. After gaining some clinical experience, you might decide to work as a telehealth nurse or at an insurance company.
3. Potential for Long Shifts and Overtime
Many nursing specialties and healthcare facilities enable nurses to work traditional eight-hour day shifts. In others, nurses might work 10-hour or 12-hour shifts but for fewer days per week. Additionally, nurses could be scheduled to work on weekends and holidays, and there is the potential for overtime when a fellow nurse calls in sick.
4. Some Patients and Family Members Can Be Difficult
Many patients are wonderful to interact with, but others can sometimes be difficult. Occasionally, patients and their family members behave belligerently, creating stressful situations for the nursing staff. It’s important for nurses to work on cultivating emotional resilience and professional boundaries.
Nurses have a duty to promote patient safety.
Is Nursing Really a Good Career?
The only person who can determine whether nursing is right for you is you. Despite the potential drawbacks of this career, it can be worthwhile if you feel that you would be proud to be a nurse.
For some, the opportunities for career advancement may be the determining factor, while others are drawn to the diverse specialization options. Whatever motivates you, you’re likely to be satisfied with your choice.
Prepare for Your Future in Nursing at UST
If you’re ready to tackle the challenges of nursing and enjoy the benefits, UST’s ABSN program is here to lead the way. With small class sizes and Academic Success Coaches, our program provides personalized attention that helps our nursing students thrive. Plus, you could graduate in as few as 12 months.
You can jumpstart your nursing career by contacting our admissions advisors today.