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Ask yourself, do I enjoy...
• change?
• challenge?
• learning?
• caring for others?
• a fast paced environment?
Ask yourself, can I...
• make decisions quickly?
• think critically, even under pressure?
• get physically involved in my job?
• deal with stress?
• learn new information?
• work with technology?
If you answered yes to these questions, then you should consider a career in
nursing. Today’s nursing career is a high tech, fast paced job in which
you help others.
Sound a little challenging? Face it — any job worth having is filled with
challenges and nursing is no different. The key to handling the difficulties
is loving what you do.
When you talk to successful nurses, you will find one outstanding strong quality:
they are passionate about their careers. They believe in helping others and
they love the challenge of learning. Nothing is going to stop them.
The benefits of a nursing career are many, but let’s examine a few of
the most popular:
Flexible Work Schedules
You can work whatever time of day you want, in four-, eight-, ten-, or twelve-hour
shifts. You can work just weekdays or just weekends or a combination of the
two.
You Can Move Anywhere and Have A Job
As a nurse, you can work in downtown urban hospitals, the relaxed suburbs or
quiet rural areas. You can travel to any state in the U.S. or to different countries.
If you could pick anywhere to live, where would it be? As a nurse, you can have
a career there!
The Career Path Choices are Limitless
No other career lets you change so much. “In nursing, you have the luxury
of changing your mind. You can get burned out in any job. Sometimes changing
areas is what you need and nursing allows for that change,” Sharon Mawby,
MSN, RN, BC, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Shands Jacksonville.
Area nursing leaders have varied backgrounds and experience. No two career paths
are alike. Nurses are in schools, hospitals, military, traveling, informatics,
hospice, business, government, research, etc.
If you are squeamish about blood and guts, that’s OK. According to Leah
Brown, Chief Nursing Executive, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, “There are a
lot of opportunities for employment in which you never see blood after you complete
nursing school. One of the most exciting things about nursing is the many different
types of duties.”
You Can Start At Any Age
Age doesn’t really matter. “Many of our students are coming into nursing
as a second career. In fact, the community college student is a more mature
student,” says Dr. Barbara Darby, President of North Campus, Florida Community
College Jacksonville (FCCJ).
Military retirees to moms are deciding that nursing is right for them, and
life experience will generally prepare one to be a better nurse.
Anyone Can Do It – Including Men!
If you are willing to work hard, you can become a nurse. Men are learning that
nursing is an excellent career.
“Nursing can be a great career choice for anyone. Unfortunately, for years
the media has portrayed the nurse as a white woman in a white cap. This stereotype
is not true, nor is it helpful. In addition, the media is largely negative.
So, people hear negative things about nursing,” observes Mimi Holman, RN,
Owner of AKH, Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare, an accredited provider
of continuing education for licensed healthcare professionals. Do not let others
decide for you — decide for yourself if nursing is a viable career option.
Lay-Offs Are Not Expected
The trends call for shortages everywhere, in every area of nursing. Lack of
supply equals excellent demand for nursing jobs.
Excellent Pay Levels
While nursing faculty may not earn enough to be competitive with other positions,
this lack of pay equity does not appear to be an issue for nurses in a clinical
setting.
According to 2004 Florida Hospital Association Survey, medical/surgical contract/travel
nurses are earning a median rate of $46.00/hour. The rates for critical care
RNs are $50.00/hour and for Certified RN Anesthetists, $115.00/hour (these rates
represent travel nurses who have no benefits).
Nursing is a Meaningful Career
As Latonya Green, nursing student at the University of North Florida, said,
“Nursing is an emotional paycheck.” You get to work in a job that
is actually significant. Yes, it’s hard, but it’s worth it when you’ve
know you helped someone.
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Degree Options in Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Second Degree Programs Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) Doctorate of Nursing (PhD) Doctorate of Education (EdD) Choosing the Program That is Right for You Leigh Hart, PhD, RN, CCRN, Dean of the School of Nursing at Jacksonville
University (JU), agrees: “When choosing the school, go to the campuses,
tour them, meet the faculty, meet the students and pick which place feels
right to you.” Some of the area’s nursing education leaders shared reasons why
a potential student should consider their schools. University of Phoenix Jacksonville University University of North Florida Florida Community College at Jacksonville |
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Degree programs available in Jacksonville Check out the websites for area nursing programs: Florida Community College at Jacksonville Jacksonville University St. Johns River Community College University of Florida and Shands Jacksonville University of North Florida University of Phoenix Finally, Do Not Let the Costs of Nursing School Become An Obstacle |
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Should you consider becoming a college nursing
instructor? “Quality of care is so important and as a nurse you could impact
seven patients at a time. As a nurse manager, you impact up to forty.
As a faculty member, you can impact an exponential amount of people through
your students,” reports Li Loriz, PhD, Director for the School of
Nursing at University of North Florida. Dr. Leigh Hart, Dean of the School of Nursing at Jacksonville University
says, “I do it because of the students. They make it all worthwhile.” JU, UNF, UF and University of Phoenix offer a Master of Science in nursing.
Imelda Nwoga, of University of Phoenix, says this level of education “helps
nurses to become real leaders in the profession. They learn leadership,
management skills and how to use resources effectively.” Check out the college websites; several of the schools offer fast track BSN to MSN degrees. |
“Nursing is a privilege. Nurses are there when people enter this world
and when people leave it.” – Mimi Holman, M.S., R.N., B.C., Owner,
AKH Inc.
“Nurses deal with human life. They are involved in the moments you will
always remember.” – Mimi Holman, M.S., R.N., B.C., Owner, AKH Inc.