Why become a nurse? There are plenty of reasons to be a nurse, such as the ability to make a positive impact on others, the diverse specializations available, and the opportunities for career advancement. You may also be enticed by the generous salary expectations and robust job growth.
Nurses represent the largest healthcare profession. In fact, there are nearly 4.7 million registered nurses (RNs) throughout the U.S., according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Why become a nurse? Millions of other people have decided that nursing is the right career for them. Why not you, too?
There are many compelling reasons to be a nurse. If you have decided that nursing is right for you, you might not need to go back to school for an additional four years to earn a nursing degree. If you already have a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree and meet the other admission requirements, you could earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in as few as 12 months through Mercer University’s Second Degree Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) track.
Why switch careers, and why become a nurse specifically? It is important to fully understand your motivations before pursuing a new career field. Examine some of the most common reasons for pursuing a nursing career, such as the opportunity to do meaningful work, the potential for career growth, and the many specializations in nursing.
Why Switch Careers?
Many professionals explore new directions to align their strengths, values, and goals—and to keep learning. If you are energized by growth and are eager to serve and lead in new ways, a career transition can be a purposeful next step. Other reasons why you might be considering a new career include:
- Ready to expand your impact and leadership
- Desire for meaningful work
- Seeking greater flexibility and work-life balance
- Aiming to increase your earning potential and long-term stability
There are plenty of alternative nursing career paths to consider.
5 Reasons to Be a Nurse
Why nursing? When you are ready for a change, consider what nursing has to offer. The desire for meaningful, purpose-driven work is often cited as a leading reason to switch careers to nursing.
1. Meaningful, Purpose-Driven Work
Few professions offer the opportunity to make a profound impact and difference in the lives of others quite like nurses do. Nurses are there to comfort and care for individuals at every stage of their lives, and are consistently ranked as the most trusted professionals in the U.S. year after year.
From big cities like Atlanta to smaller rural communities, many Americans live with chronic health conditions. These range from Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and obesity to heart disease and cancer, which are the two leading causes of death in the U.S. Nearly 200 million American adults have at least one major chronic medical condition. Millions more need care for complex acute conditions, ranging from septic shock to post-surgery recovery. All of them can benefit from the compassionate, healing touch of a nurse who feels driven to serve others.
2. Flexibility and Work-Life Balance
Nursing is more flexible than you might think. First, the variety of practice and employment settings means you do not have to stay in one area your entire career. You could decide to switch nursing specialties or work in a different type of nursing unit. You could also decide to move out of hospital care and pursue work in home healthcare, telehealth, nursing research, or school nursing.
Nursing can also provide work-life balance. You can choose from full-time or part-time positions. You could also be a per diem (PRN) nurse who picks up shifts when available. PRN nursing offers significant flexibility, particularly for busy nurses with families. Another way to manage family obligations while nursing is to consider night shift nursing. As a night shift nurse, you can work while the kids sleep, allowing you to be there for them during the day.
3. Job Stability and High Demand
It is expected that the nursing shortage in the U.S. will continue for the foreseeable future. In fact, there is a projected 8% shortage of RNs in the U.S. by 2028. Given the growing demand for nurses, the nursing job outlook is positive.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job growth rate for all types of RNs is expected to be 5% from 2024 through 2034. This indicates that healthcare employers expect to hire about 166,100 new nurses during this time.
If you decide to pursue career advancement as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), the job growth rate improves even more. According to the BLS, the projected job growth rate through 2034 for APRNs will be 35%.
4. Career Growth and Specialization
Nursing offers many opportunities for specialization. You could choose to focus on a particular patient population, such as pediatrics, adult-gerontology, or women’s health. Alternatively, you could focus on a specific type of medical condition, such as dialysis or oncology nursing. You could also specialize by setting, such as emergency room nursing or orthopedics.
See how the outlook for nurses in Georgia is positive for long-term career goals.
As an RN with a BSN degree, you will have plenty of opportunities to advance your career. This degree offers the opportunity to pursue management and leadership positions in nursing. It also lays the foundation for APRN roles, as a BSN is a requirement to pursue a graduate-level nursing education.
By returning to school to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, which you can earn through Mercer University, you will become eligible for additional nurse leader roles. Alternatively, you could decide to help teach the next generation of nurses as a clinical or nurse educator. A career in nursing can take many directions, and it all starts with a BSN.
5. Competitive Salary and Benefits
Why nursing? Another compelling reason to choose a nursing career is the earnings potential. According to the BLS, registered nurses made a median annual salary of $93,600 as of May 2024. APRNs have even higher salary expectations. The BLS notes that most types of APRNs made a median annual salary of $132,050 as of May 2024. The most highly compensated APRN role is certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). As of May 2024, CRNAs earn a median annual salary of $223,210.
Start Your Nursing Journey With Mercer University’s ABSN
If you already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, it may be possible to earn a BSN degree in as few as 12 months through Mercer University’s Accelerated BSN track. Our Accelerated BSN track offers a blended approach to nursing education, consisting of three components: online coursework, in-person skills and simulation labs, and clinical rotations within some of the top healthcare facilities throughout Metro Atlanta.
With Mercer University’s ABSN track, you can benefit from comprehensive nursing education in a highly supportive environment. You will receive personalized attention thanks to our small class sizes and Academic Success Coaches. You will also work with state-of-the-art technology and lab equipment, such as our high-fidelity manikins, as you learn key nursing skills. Upon graduation, you will be prepared to take the NCLEX-RN exam to begin professional practice as a registered nurse.
Take the first step toward a rewarding new career today. Connect with an enrollment counselor and find out if our Accelerated BSN track is right for you.