5 Reasons to Become a Registered Nurse (RN)?

Nursing is a fast-growing and revered profession.

It takes a passion for those in need, and many nurses find their niche early in life, way before college. I decided to become an RN because I admired and respected the elderly population, and I did not want them to suffer as they got older. I volunteered as a high school student with the visiting nurse service, I candy-striped at the local hospital, and I have always known I wanted to become a nurse.

I enjoyed the elderly receiving the best care possible, whether they decided to live at home or in a long-term care facility. An RN supports and manages patient care and educates their patients, families, and the community on health issues. Therefore, nurses play vital roles in the health of the community. Everyone has a story about why they became nurses and why they decided to specialize in a particular area. It may be because they had a family member who was sick or had a positive or negative healthcare experience that led them to the nurse.

Here are five reasons many people go into nursing. Everyone will have a different reason for becoming a nurse.

1. There are many different roles RN's can take that depend on your interest. These areas include Nurse Administration, Obstetrics, Pediatrics, and hospice, to name a few. The great thing about being a nurse is that there are always opportunities to move around in the profession. Many nurses start in one area of nursing, then move to another site. Depending on the country's location and the type of nursing you decide on, the salary varies greatly. The median income for an entry-level RN in the US is $73,000 per year. This salary can be enhanced with overtime and holiday pay when available in your area of nursing. The wages are higher in the northeast US than in other parts of the country.

2. A nursing shortage will spread across the country, especially in the south and west, between 2016-2030. It is the best time to begin your journey to become an RN. There are many different education options to become an RN. After completing a GED or high school degree, the next step could be a Diploma program, an associate degree program, or a Bachelor of Science degree. These are the entry-level degrees for an RN degree. Once you have completed one of these nursing degrees, the next step is to complete the NCLEX exam. The NCLEX exam certifies you as an RN and has met all the requirements for your state. The disparity in education can make becoming a nurse easier for many depending on their financing.

Besides the different roles an RN can take, their salary, and education options, the RN work schedules vary greatly depending on what can help mothers with childcare needs. Many hospital nurses work twelve-hour shifts either days or nights three days a week and have other days during the week off. Many nurses in office settings work 8-hour shifts five days a week. Some hospitals and clinics also offer childcare. I hope these reasons for becoming a nurse helps you make the leap into nursing.