With an increasing demand for healthcare services, nursing has become one of the most in-demand professions of the decade.
At present, the role of nurses is diverse and inevitable in the healthcare sector. They are not limited to the old traditional group of doctors, surgeons, and physicians assistants.
Nurses are progressing in healthcare service by providing better patient care with advanced knowledge. In addition, several nurses are working as alternatives to doctors after availing of higher professional degrees.
The vital contribution of nurses dramatically influences the landscape of healthcare services. Their professional aptitude while engaging with patients improves the service delivery of the healthcare service providers.
It has only become possible due to nurses being aware of higher education in nursing.
Here are the seven reasons why an advanced degree in nursing is worth it.
- Job Security
Due to the shortage of healthcare professionals and the growing population of aging Americans, the nursing profession is in great demand. Despite the rising number of nursing graduates every year, the healthcare sector still has many unfilled positions.
Undoubtedly, the nursing profession comes with safe and secure job placement under these circumstances. After becoming a nurse with a masters in nurse practitioner, you don’t have to worry about losing your job even in critical times of health crisis and economic depression.
The job outlook for nursing occupations in the US is expected to rise 12% by 2028.
- A Wide Range of Nursing Concentrations
When you pursue an advanced degree in nursing, it gives you a chance to enhance your knowledge. You delve deeper into the dynamics of the particular specialization of nursing that you selected.
With additional expertise, you have an edge to serve patients effectively and efficiently.
Nursing is a broad profession with a wide range of concentrations. While going for an advanced degree, you can always choose an area of specialization that interests you and meets your future career goals.
Some of the highly in-demand nursing concentrations include advanced practice registered nurse, nurse midwife, mental health nurse (see best online masters in mental health nursing programs), neonatal nurse, pediatric nurse, acute care nurse, anesthesia nurse, etc.
- A Diverse Portfolio of Career Opportunities
Availing an advanced degree in nursing can open new avenues of career prospects. For instance, it gives you the privilege to teach the future generations of nurses by becoming a nursing educator. There are even specific programs, like an MSN-Ed degree, that you can take to become a nurse educator.
Furthermore, with an advanced degree, you can serve in leadership roles with executive-level positions such as nurse administrator, chief nursing officer, nursing director, etc. A solid knowledge base allows you to guide your subordinate and fellow nurses.
On the contrary, without a master’s degree in nursing, your chances for growth in more diverse positions and beyond your current role have become limited.
- Rewarding Career Path
The most common benefit of obtaining an advanced degree in nursing is lucrative career growth. You can quickly raise your earning potential after getting higher education in nursing. The majority of the highest-paying nursing positions demand a master’s degree in nursing.
The starting salaries for the nursing profession are also comparatively high. According to statistics, the salary range of an APRN is approximately $107,182 and $125,499 annually.
- Freedom to Work
The best part about being a nurse is working in multiple setups, even other than hospitals. With the help of advanced skills, nurses can perform their duties as travel nurses where they don’t have to stick around with a single healthcare facility for completing their shifts.
They can work with nursing homes, orphanages, military bases, schools, homes, mental health clinics, forensic and investigation units. In addition, nurses can also ease the burden of jail staff by working with juveniles and other prisoners.
However, the requirements to serve in such positions as a nurse in each state vary. You have to comply with laws and regulations to work in other states.
- Medical Expertise Beyond the Scope of Work
When you know how to cope with emergencies by delivering medical aid, you can easily save people’s lives with these skills outside work.
Your medical expertise can help you make people’s lives better around you. For instance, you can perform CPR when someone has issues breathing or has an asthma attack and provide first aid.
There are endless possibilities where you can use your medical skills and expertise to serve the people in need.
- Expansion of Professional Network
One of the most important aspects of attending medical school for higher education is you can connect with industry professionals and build rapport.
It will give you benefits in the long run as you may even reach out to potential employers. Moreover, while attending conferences and courses, you become familiar with the professionals who are mainly experts in your concentration.
Final Thoughts
Nurses have the advantage of getting higher education while availing themselves of nursing scholarships from nursing associations and nonprofit organizations.
In addition, you can also enroll in online advanced degree programs that give them an edge to work simultaneously.
You don’t have to take a break from professional commitments to get higher education, making it the most wholesome experience. You can apply your knowledge and skills while working at medical facilities.
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