Advantages And Disadvantages Of Being A Nurse: Nursing is an interesting, rapidly expanding, and in-demand profession. Many people choose nursing as a professional choice because they want to serve others and find purpose and joy in their work. It has a lot of advantages. Of course, like with any occupation, there are negatives to becoming a nurse. Before plunging into the profession of nursing, it is critical to consider both the advantages and disadvantages.

Any profession in healthcare is inherently difficult. In your work as a nurse, you may have to deal with stressful or messy circumstances. The benefits of being a nurse, however, much outweigh the disadvantages, as many nurses will tell you. Nurses have the special ability to assist individuals during some of their most critical state – and they may do so while earning a good life and having job stability.

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Briefly about Nursing

The nursing profession has existed since the dawn of time, evolving to become one of the most significant occupations in today’s healthcare system as the world’s conditions changed. Nurses have been around since the Roman Empire, but it wasn’t until the 1850s that they became recognized as a significant career.

During the Crimean War, Florence Nightingale and her team of nurses cared for sick troops and reorganized the barracks to enhance hygiene. Her efforts brought attention to the necessity of educated nurses in society, and with the formation of nursing programs, the vocation of a trained nurse gained the respect it now enjoys.

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Advantages and disadvantages of being a nurse

In any area, there are pros and cons, but in healthcare, they constitute decisive factors in whether or not nursing is suited for you. Although the benefits of becoming a nurse much outweigh the downsides, you should be aware that there are clear disadvantages to being a nurse before deciding on this career path. Consider the benefits and drawbacks of being a nurse to ensure that you are physically and emotionally capable of handling whatever is thrown at you.

Advantages

1. Job security: Job security is difficult to come by in today’s environment. Along with the world’s rapidly growing population, the need of for registered nurses is growing at an exponential rate. Nursing is expected to have 800,000 job openings by2030, making it among the industry’s fastest-growing industries.

2. Higher Wages: Despite the fact that salary varies depending on the individual’s expertise and the kind of company, registered nurses are paid much more. They also get paid overtime for all the mandatory overtime they work to make sure every patient is taken care of.

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3. They Receive Greater Gifts: As a nurse, it will come naturally to you to assist and care for others. They know how appreciative they should be for each instant after spending their days assisting and soothing worried individuals. Nurses, by their daily acts of kindness, nurture the flower of mankind.

4. Working Environment: Registered nurses can work in a variety of settings, including clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, home health, and even lecturing at higher education institutions, depending on their preferred working environment. Nurses are frequently hired by private enterprises to ensure the safety of personnel. To avoid tragic incidents, schools and institutions retain a nurse on staff. Even in hospitals, nurses have the option of working with adults, children, in the OT, or in the ER.

5. Career Advancement Opportunities: They might opt to continue their study to specialize in a particular profession using all of the information they have earned as a registered nurse. They also have the option of specializing in one of over 200 disciplines. They may be eligible for administrative positions as head nurses or advanced practice nurses after gaining adequate experience and certification.

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6. There is also great upward mobility: Nursing professions range from entry-level practical nurses to advanced nurse practitioners. You may expect greater prospects for job progress if you are eager to study and improve your expertise in the industry. Registered nurses may be qualified for basic patient care positions when they begin, but they may progress into occupations requiring more specific knowledge and abilities, such as pediatric or neonatal nursing.

Furthermore, you may always return to school to further your education and career title. Registered nurses can choose from a variety of flexible programs, including online RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN Bridge programs, which are ideal for the busy working nurse. A higher-level degree might qualify you for higher-paying and higher-demand employment in the profession, such as Nurse Manager or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).

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7. Trusted Profession: Nurses are deserving of our admiration for their dedication and perseverance. They are deservedly ranked first in terms of work ethics and accountability, according to data. This creates a feeling of accomplishment that comes with working as a nurse.

8. Other Benefits: Aside from the perks stated above, registered nurses may be eligible for additional benefits based on their employer. Paid leave, sick leave, maternity leave, health insurance, and so on are examples of these.

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Disadvantages

1. Physical Demands: The majority of nurses, particularly those working in hospitals, are obliged to walk from one patient to the next every day. This causes physical discomfort, mostly in the feet and back, as well as weariness.

2. Emotional Stress: After delivering terrible news to patients and their families, and dealing with all of the patient’s emotional stages, a nurse might become enmeshed in his or her sentiments. In addition, as the one responsible for the patient’s care, each death has an emotional impact on the nurse.

It’s tough for nurses to keep their cool, particularly when dealing with mortal circumstances, and on top of that, they have to deal with unpleasant families and patients.

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3. Exposure to Diseases: Regardless matter how many precautions people take, being exposed to bacteria and viruses all day increases their chances of contracting an illness. Unfortunate situations that result in severe kinds of exposure, such as a splash of body fluid in the eye, can be quite harmful.

4. Being Undervalued: Despite the fact that nurses are the most revered profession, patients and their families sometimes neglect nurses in crucial situations. Because they are ‘just a nurse,’ many people ignore the care and support that nurses give.

5. Working During the Holidays: For others, a festival is still a workday. Nurses are expected to be present on any given day to care for patients and respond to emergencies as medical staff. This also applies to working over the holidays.

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6. Long Working Hours: Nurses are obliged to work longer hours than usual in hospital settings when nurse shortages exist until a substitute nurse can be recruited to care for the patient. Even if they get paid overtime for their extra hours, the tiredness they experience is often not worth it.

Most hospitals use a shift work schedule to control the number of nurses available at all hours of the day. Things may get challenging for nurses working night hours.

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Conclusion

The need for a nurse grows by the day, and it is the dedicated individuals who bravely tread this route with their heads held high that truly understand what it is to be human. Their value in society is enhanced by their role as a patient’s most trusted advocate and emotional support during difficult times. Their selflessness is mirrored in their work ethic, as they strive around the clock to provide the best possible care to the patients. Nurses are the life and soul of today’s health-care system because of all the attributes they possess.

Edeh Samuel Chukwuemeka ACMC

Edeh Samuel Chukwuemeka, ACMC, is a lawyer and a certified mediator/conciliator in Nigeria. He is also a developer with knowledge in various programming languages. Samuel is determined to leverage his skills in technology, SEO, and legal practice to revolutionize the legal profession worldwide by creating web and mobile applications that simplify legal research. Sam is also passionate about educating and providing valuable information to people.