Did you know that nurses make up the largest workforce in the healthcare industry in the US? It is because nurses take care of the most fundamental operations of primary care and are at the forefront of providing care to anyone who needs it. Nurses work in various settings, from private clinics to government hospitals, mental health institutes, international healthcare agencies, and first responders, during medical emergencies. They played an important role during the global coronavirus pandemic and were actively involved in medical research.
It also suggests that nurses will always have a job, owing to their demand and the demand for primary care, which will only increase. As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for RNs will grow by 6% every year until 2031, with expected job openings of 195,400 nurses during the same period. You can expect around 3.3 million nurses to join the workforce by 2031.
Nurses must also update their skills and qualifications to meet the continuous demands of a progressive economy. As a nurse, you may need to further your education while working. However, we have compiled a list of tips for you to consider the right degree as you progress through your career.
1. Follow Your Passion
Find out what you are most passionate about as a nurse. For instance, after completing your BSN and becoming an RN, you can pursue your online MSN program in primary care if that is what you are most passionate about. If you love helping vulnerable and at-risk populations, then specializing in adult-gerontology primary care niche will make you successful in your profession.
A simpler way to discover your passion is to explore opportunities and match them with your skill set. It is also important that your chosen niche peak your interest the most. You may be interested in primary care, but there are several branches of primary healthcare. Please select the one that interests you the most, as it will benefit you and your patients equally. You will be more eager to perform your job and look forward to going to work. It is a great way to further your career, as loving what you do is imperative to your professional success.
2. Choose a Good Mentor
Finding a good mentor with experience working in the field is better. It can be a senior colleague or your teacher during your program. They can provide insights into what it is like working as a nurse educator or a practitioner.
Their years of experience and the scope of the field can provide you with the required information to decide which degree would be best for you. More than that, you get to observe your mentor and see what kind of life they lead. Is it the kind of life that you aspire to have? Will this profession let you have a work-life balance? The kinds of things that could be hard to learn from elsewhere. Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes gives you an idea of the kind of job they perform. It will be easier to picture the career and life you want for yourself.
A mentor is also important for you to learn the kinds of skills you would need for the job. For example, being a nurse in an emergency requires always being prepared to monitor multiple patients simultaneously. It is a big part of learning on the job. With a mentor to guide you every step of the way, it is possible to catch some important details.
3. Consider the Type of Work You Want
Choosing the right career path as a working nurse is important to consider the kind of work you thrive in. Different degrees prepare you for different nursing roles. For example, as a nursing researcher, you will spend a lot of time in the lab. In contrast, a nurse practitioner spends more time with patients. Similarly, a nurse educator advances nursing education by applying updated teaching methods.
Similarly, an MSN or DNP will prepare you for senior roles in nursing. Therefore, you need to plan the direction of your career before selecting the right degree program. Your current nursing role may play a significant part in the process. If you do not enjoy working in your current role, it may be the right time to switch when furthering your nursing education.
In contrast, your current role will also teach you where you lag and what skills you need to build on to move forward. This way, you can select the right courses and acquire relevant skills.
4. Consider the Program Timeline
The program timing and your personal goals must harmonize with each other. It would be best to consider how long your program will take and how long it will take you to begin working. Although you can start working soon after acquiring your BSN, consider how long you want to wait before pursuing your MSN. Your required work experience and the time to become a Registered Nurse also count.
For example, you can earn a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certificate or a diploma within a year. Similarly, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) takes 18 to 24 months and provides you with a license as a Registered Nurse.
In contrast, a BSN degree takes almost four years but offers better job opportunities. You can also choose to specialize in a particular area during your program. You can also opt for some accelerated programs to complete your degree before the four-year timeline.
Lastly, an advanced nursing degree such as the MSN requires 2 to 3 years after BSN. It allows you to land senior nursing positions at different facilities.
Conclusion
Nursing is a vast and growing field. At the same time, it offers numerous opportunities to work in different areas. It can take time to decide your area of specialization. However, you must consider each opportunity as something to learn from about yourself and the kind of profession you want.
It is easy for nurses to switch their specialization. However, following your passion and picturing your ideal work environment will work best in your favour and your patients’. Moreover, take advantage of your network and find a good mentor. Lastly, consider your program timeline and see if you want to enrol in an accelerated or regular program.
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