4 Reasons A Nursing Degree Is The Safest Possible Education

Students interested in pursuing a higher education have a number of fields of study from which to choose. However, there are many reasons that choosing to pursue a nursing degree may be the safest choice. Studying nursing will allow a person to qualify for work in a high demand field that provides rewarding work, stable employment and a high level of income.
Nurse Demand
Currently, nurses are one of the most in-demand professions in the country. This demand is fueled by a number of factors including an aging population as well as advances in medical knowledge and technology. The demand for nurses is so high that employers in many areas simply cannot hire the number of nurses needed to fill current openings. Even better for the prospective nursing student, demand for nurses is expected to continue to grow in the future decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The high demand for trained nurses is one of the primary reasons that you should consider the pursuit of a nursing degree to be a safe choice, and if you already have a degree in another subject, you can go here to find out how to become a nurse in as little as 15 months.
Compensation
An important consideration when choosing a career is the amount of income that those working in that field earn. Nurses earn a wage well above the national average. The median pay for a registered nurse in 2010 was almost $65,000 per year, according to the Bureau for Labor Statistics. This compares to the national average of just over $40,000 per year. In addition to wages, nurses generally receive a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and paid leave. Many employers also offer other benefits in order to attract and maintain nurses. These benefits may include signing bonuses, health club memberships, daycare services and educational benefits.
Geographic Flexibility
In many professions, a person has to live in a specific area of the country in order to find employment. However, nurses are in high demand in every area of the country. Whether a person wants to live in a specific state, or in a rural or urban area, there are nursing positions that need to be filled. In fact, some nurses choose to work as a traveling nurse. A traveling nurse works short term assignments in one area of the country and then moves to another. In addition to working in various areas of the country, nurses can easily find permanent or temporary employment in many foreign countries.
Career Choice
Nurses have a variety of skills that can be used in many employment settings. For example, a hospital nurse can choose to work with children, the elderly, in the emergency room or other specialized areas of the hospital. Though most nurses work in hospitals, nurses can also work in doctor offices, schools, behavioral health centers and a variety of government offices. Nurses can also choose to work as educators, teaching student nurses the skills needed to be a nurse or working with the public on community and personal health issues. Nurses are also employed by pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, and a variety of other businesses.

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source

Susan Brown has worked as a RN for over ten years and has contributed to the 10 Best Online Nursing Masters Degree Programs for others interested in becoming nurses.