If you love helping others and are looking for a career that has the potential to offer a variety of opportunities, consider pursuing a nursing degree. As the need for nursing professionals continues to grow, so does the demand for qualified nurses.
Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse practitioners all have high job-growth projections throughout the next decade. As an online student, it may seem like your options for obtaining an accredited nursing degree are limited.
However, with the rise in popularity of online degree programs, you have many more options than you might think. An online nursing degree program can be completed in as little as 18 months with previous experience in the field or up to six years if starting from scratch.
Here are five reasons why you should get started on your path to becoming a nurse today:
You can continue with your current job.
If you are worried about the time commitment necessary for a nursing program, you can rest easy knowing that many online nursing degree programs allow students to continue with their current employment. Some schools even offer programs designed specifically for nurses looking to advance their careers by earning a master’s degree online.
If you are a busy parent who works full-time, you may even be able to complete your degree in less time than someone who does not have additional responsibilities. When choosing a program, make sure that it offers the appropriate coursework to lead to licensure or certification in your desired field.
You may also want to consider a program that offers coursework flexibility so that you can complete coursework on your schedule.
Online nursing degree programs train you to be a leader.
Nursing degree programs are designed to prepare students to think critically and make informed decisions both in clinical settings and when managing a healthcare team. You will learn how to make appropriate use of the resources available to you, use technology to its full potential, and lead others to success.
With the ability to lead by example and inspire your team, you will have the potential to advance in your career much faster than if you had not had this training. Nursing degree holders also tend to earn higher salaries over time, which can be beneficial if you are supporting a family.
Nursing degree holders have excellent earning potential.
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for nurses in the United States is $73,000. This is an excellent starting point, but many nurses earn significantly more. Those in specialty fields such as critical care, pediatric, or neonatal nursing may be able to earn more than $100,000 annually, depending on the state in which they work.
Regardless of your specialty, the potential for salary growth is excellent. The BLS states that the demand for registered nurses (RNs) is expected to increase by 19% from 2016 to 2026. This is significantly higher than the 10% growth rate for all occupations. If you are interested in increasing your earning potential, consider pursuing a degree in a specialized field. Earning a master’s degree in nursing can increase your annual salary by as much as $20,000.
You’ll have access to many different employment opportunities.
A nursing degree opens up a lot of employment opportunities, and you can choose the one that is right for you. If you are interested in working in a hospital setting, you can earn a degree in nursing administration or pursue a doctorate in nursing.
If you want to specialize in pediatrics, you can earn a degree in nursing education or pursue a degree in nursing administration. If neonatal nursing is your specialty of choice, a post-master’s degree in nursing or a doctorate in nursing is available.
Moreover, if you want to work in a field outside of traditional nursing, you may be able to earn a nursing degree that transfers to your desired field. For example, if you are interested in becoming a medical technician, you can earn a nursing degree that prepares you for certification.
The demand for nurses will continue to grow.
Nurses will be in high demand for years to come; there is no doubt about that. As the population continues to grow, more people will be seeking medical assistance. This will increase the demand for nurses as medical professionals.
Additionally, an increase in the population of individuals over the age of 65 will result in more individuals requiring assistance with daily living activities. This will increase the demand for nurses as well. As technology advances, nurses will need to become even more skilled in the use of technology.
In the future, we may see a rise in robotic nurses. A human nurse may be needed only when a person needs a human touch. If you are looking to pursue a career in a growing field, nursing may be the right choice for you.
Conclusion
A nursing degree is a wonderful investment in your future, and there are many reasons why you should pursue this path. You can continue with your current job while earning your degree online.
You will gain leadership skills, your salary will increase over time, and you will have access to many different employment opportunities. Additionally, the demand for nurses will continue to grow, and you can take advantage of this growth by pursuing a nursing degree.
