When you have kids, you might choose to put your career on hold while you focus on raising them. While this is certainly a tough job in itself at times, the reality is that not everyone can afford to give up working or even has the desire to do so. However, this time away from your job is also an opportunity to consider your other options, particularly if your current job isn’t giving you much satisfaction. If you are thinking about changing careers once your kids start going to school or kindergarten, why not consider nursing? Yes, nursing can be stressful, and it will require time dedicated to studying if you want to move into this profession, but there will be a lot of rewards that come with this job, too.
If you have been thinking about nursing as a potential career but are on the fence, here are a few of the best reasons why you should pursue it and how it could benefit your family.
In This Article
Stability
When it comes to choosing a career, one of the most important things people factor in is how stable it is going to be. No one wants to worry about whether or not they will lose their job by the end of next week due to a change in consumer activity or other economic factors, but healthcare is always going to be an essential service that society needs. Therefore, the demand for nurses will always be there, even more so now when staff shortages are occurring regarding healthcare workers. If you want peace of mind that your career will be there for the long-term, nursing can certainly deliver that.
Opportunity to Learn
Another perk of pursuing a career in nursing is that it is a wonderful opportunity to learn new things. However, as mentioned previously, you will need to return to your studies and get a degree in nursing and your nursing license before you can become a practicing nurse. This means that you’ll have to have a passion for learning and be willing to dedicate your time to this if you want to follow this career path. You may also want to get higher degree certifications at a later date, as these could open more doors for you within the world of nursing. A Doctor of Nursing Practice is an example of these higher qualifications that could help to improve your clinical practice and help you advance your nursing career as a result.
Plenty of Opportunities to Move Up the Career Ladder
You might see someone working either in a hospital or another healthcare clinic when you think of nursing. Yes, these are common working environments for nurses, but there are a lot of other options available to you depending on which direction you choose to take your nursing career. For example, you could become a school nurse and help children out, which could be ideal if you are looking for a position to fit around your kids’ schooling hours. If this doesn’t sound appealing to you, working in a nursing home as a geriatric nurse is another option, or at a mental health clinic supporting patients struggling with various psychological issues. There are many different roles to explore within the world of nursing, so if you’re looking for a career that can provide you with plenty of opportunities to move up the ladder, it can deliver.
You Can Do This Job Anywhere
Another perk of nursing as a career is that it is a job that you can do anywhere. However, if you do move to another state or country, you will have to redo your license exam to legally practice in that specific area. While this might be an inconvenience for some, as there is such a high demand for nurses at the moment, finding a job in your new town or city shouldn’t be too much of a challenge once you have the required paperwork in order.
The Chance to be a Role-model for Your Kids
You can be a fantastic role model for your kids no matter what your career is, as the best way to do this is to teach them how to be kind, considerate, encourage them to learn, and support their passions, as a few examples. However, nursing is a well-respected career, and with good reason, as you will be working hard every single day to deliver the best care you can to your patients. Teaching your kids about what you do in your job could help to inspire them, and it’s certainly a career that both you and your family can be proud of. If you want to highlight the importance of caring for others to your children, then being a nurse is a great way to do this.
It’s a Career That Will Challenge You
It is no secret that nursing can be a tough job, so if you’re someone who is searching for a career that can challenge them, this could be it. Not only will you have to push yourself to study for your nursing degree, but you will constantly be learning on the job and having to develop and enhance your skills. Whether it’s handling difficult situations with patients or getting through a particularly tough, long shift, many things will challenge you in your nursing career.
Personal Growth
Finally, due to all of the challenges you will face in your nursing career, you might find yourself discovering new things about yourself. Some things you might love, others not so much, but even those moments can give you the chance to do some self-reflecting and make some improvements. Personal growth is something that everyone should be thinking about throughout their lives, and if your career can give you the chance to do that, even better.
If you are thinking about returning to work once your children are back in school but are interested in making a career change, too, then nursing could be the perfect fit for you. Think about the points above and whether or not this career is something that you want to pursue.
