Is being a nurse worth it? Explore the pros and cons of nursing to decide. Some benefits of being a nurse include strong earning potential, diverse nursing specialties, and opportunities for career advancement. Some drawbacks include exposure to pathogens and the need for physical stamina.
Weighing the pros and cons of nursing is a smart approach to answering the question, “Should I become a nurse?” There are plenty of advantages to choosing a nursing career, such as strong earning potential, but it’s also important to consider the possible drawbacks. You should keep in mind, however, that not all disadvantages will apply to every nursing specialty.
If you decide nursing is a good fit for you, the University of St. Thomas’ Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program can help you get started. 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. Our ABSN offers a 12-month timeline, so you can get started in your new career sooner than a traditional program.
Nursing school and your future career have their own challenges, so it’s important to be aware of the pros like employability and job growth, as well as cons like needing emotional and physical stamina.
Is Being a Nurse Worth It?
Being a nurse could be worth it for you if you value a job with considerable demand, flexible work settings, high earning potential, and opportunities for advancement. You would also benefit from a wide range of specialization options.
Everyone values different aspects of their career, so consider the factors that are most important to you when determining if being a nurse is worth it for you.
Pros of Nursing
Is being a nurse worth it for you? Consider these advantages of a nursing career when making your decision.
1. Strong Salary Expectations
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 $93,600 as of May 2024.
If you pursue career advancement to 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 $132,050 as of May 2024.
2. Robust Job Growth Rate
Nurses are needed everywhere across the country. The BLS estimates that the job growth will be 5% from 2024 through 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, indicating that healthcare employers are expected to hire about 166,100 new RNs during this period.
The estimated job growth rate for most types of APRNs is even more robust at 35% from 2024 through 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. Employers are expected to hire around 134,000 APRNs.
Could disaster nursing be the right career choice for you?
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 the following settings:
- Dermatology practice
- Doctor’s office
- Home health agency
- Hospice agency
- Inpatient addiction treatment center
- Insurance company or another type of corporation
- Outpatient physical rehabilitation center
- Plastic surgery clinic
- School
Some RNs choose to become travel nurses, and fulfill short-term work assignments across the country. This career choice offers exposure to a wide range of work settings.
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 passions. 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.
Some possibilities include:
- 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 several nursing specialties, such as mental health, obstetrics, and community health.
5. Opportunities for Career Growth
After gaining clinical experience and obtaining additional credentials, you could be eligible for career advancement opportunities.
For example, you could earn professional certifications in your nursing specialty. You could also return to school to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
With a graduate degree, you could pursue board certification in your specialty and become an APRN, such as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) or certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Alternatively, you might decide to transition into nursing administration, research, or education.
6. You Can Get Started Sooner
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. Many universities have developed faster options for career switchers and transfer students.
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 ABSN 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.
Learn how you can prioritize patient safety in your nursing care.
Cons 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:
1. The Need for Physical Stamina
Good overall health and physical stamina are beneficial in this line of work. Nurses often work long shifts, spending much of that time on their feet as they move from one patient’s room to the next. They also frequently need to assist with moving or lifting patients who cannot ambulate independently.
Keep in mind, however, that many healthcare facilities invest in equipment to assist with patient movement. Furthermore, not every nursing specialty requires significant 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 are at risk of exposure to microorganisms and bodily fluids. This is why hospitals enact strict safety protocols for nurses. Following these safety requirements reduces the risk of illness from exposure.
You should note, however, that not all nursing specialties necessarily expose you to pathogens. After gaining some clinical experience, you could redirect your nursing knowledge into telehealth nursing or for an insurance company.
3. Potential for Long Shifts and Overtime
Nurses can work traditional eight-hour day shifts at many facilities. In others, nurses might work 10-hour or 12-hour shifts but for fewer days per week. Additionally, since patients can’t go without care, nurses could be scheduled to work on weekends and holidays, with the potential for overtime when a fellow nurse calls in sick.
4. Some Patients and Family Members Can Be Difficult
Many patient interactions will be positive, but you will see some difficult patients throughout your career. Occasionally, patients and their family members behave belligerently, creating stressful situations for the nursing staff. It’s important for nurses to cultivate emotional resilience and professional boundaries, as well as communication tactics that can help defuse the situation, while remaining sensitive to the patients’ medical situation and their families..
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 provides an accessible and supported pathway. With small class sizes and Academic Success Coaches, our program provides personalized attention that helps our nursing students thrive.
Jumpstart your nursing career by contacting an admissions advisor today.