Pros and Cons of Working as a Nurse

The nursing profession is one of the most in-demand careers there is in the field. Many people choose to become nurses because they want to provide aid to those in need and find meaning and fulfillment in their work. Like any other career, there are two sides to working as a nurse. It can be advantageous on one end, but it is nothing without its opposite.

Any career in healthcare is inherently difficult. In your capacity as a nurse, you might have to deal with uncomfortable or untidy situations. The benefits of being a nurse, however, much outweigh the drawbacks, as any number of nurses would attest. Nurses are uniquely qualified to support patients at some of their most vulnerable moments, and they may do it while earning a good living and enjoying job security.

If you are still on the verge of pursuing this profession, this blog will surely help you weigh out the pros and cons of working as a nurse in the future.

Pros of Working as a Nurse

Professionally and Personally Rewarding

Like physicians and surgeons, nurses have the extraordinary chance to save lives or, at the least, to positively impact the lives of their patients. Because of this, working in nursing is very gratifying. Nurses aid people who are ill, hurt, disabled, or going through a vulnerable moment in their lives every day. A nurse affects another person’s life every time they recognize a symptom, provide a diagnosis, provide treatment, or simply lend an ear. In addition, nursing is more than just a way to make money; it’s also a way to care for people and significantly improve their lives at crucial times. Fortunately, this is a well-paying industry.

While it’s possible to argue that nurses are always underpaid given the rigors of their jobs, Australia is consistently ranked among the highest-paying nations in the world for average wage. While the initial pay for a junior nurse may be somewhat low, Australia offers a broad range of professional growth opportunities that can see a nurse’s compensation climb dramatically. Of course, much relies on the type of nursing profession you train for and qualify for. According to the Australia Bureau of Statistics Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, full-time adult non-managerial nursing professionals earned $1028.30 per week on average in 2004 (exclusive of overtime), while enrolled nurses made $715.30 per week.

Job Security and Advancements

In other words, the demand for nurses will never go away. Healthcare workers who are capable and empathetic will always be in demand. The information and abilities possessed by a nurse will be valued and essential wherever in the globe. In fact, the demand for nurses is anticipated to increase, offering employment security to both experienced and novice nurses. It is undeniable that there will be plenty of job security for nurses in the years to come due to the continual breakthroughs in medical technology and research, the constant development of disease, and the anticipated record-breaking number of senior people.

There are several options to take into consideration when it comes to nursing career advancement. There are a number of options to pick from if you start out as a Registered Nurse (after you’ve graduated and earned your nursing license). From entry-level practical nurses to advanced nurse practitioners, there are many distinct degrees of nursing professionals. Beginning as basic patient care providers, registered nurses may advance to positions requiring more specialized knowledge and abilities, such as pediatric or neonatal nurses. There are various positions within the nursing industry that can be pursued. For instance, RNs can obtain specialties in surgical nursing, critical care nursing, pain management, and dialysis nursing. There can also be earned credentials in Psychiatry, Oncology, Neonatal Nursing, and other fields with a bachelor’s degree.

Work Flexibility

A flexible schedule is advantageous for nurses in a variety of workplaces. Hospital nurses can be more adaptable because of the rotation of their shifts. For instance, nurses working in hospitals frequently profit from a three-day work week that consists of three 12-hour shifts. This gives them four extra days off to spend on other important things like family and self-care. Nursing offers considerable flexibility if you don’t like the idea of a five-day workweek. Of course, nurses can also choose to work regular hours in hospitals or schools. Additionally, nurses have a variety of settings in which they can choose to work full- or part-time, on a temporary basis or permanently. People who are thinking about this as a career option would undoubtedly benefit from this flexibility.

Cons of Working as a Nurse

Witnessing Loss and Bodily Fluids

This part of nursing may be a “con” if you are sensitive to bodily fluids or cannot handle the sight of blood. Blood samples from patients are frequently taken, lab samples are gathered and evaluated, or ill children who are vomiting need to be attended to by nurses. It can be unpleasant when blood and vomit get up on your scrubs, even if you are able to handle the sight of them. Also, injuries from needle sticks or splashes of bodily fluids in the eyes, nose, or mouth are two examples of body fluid exposures. Although there is a risk associated with these exposures, a number of cleaning and testing procedures have been implemented.

Just like seeing someone get healed in the hospital, nurses also witness loss with the patients they have. Florence Bull (2016) narrated through an article in The Guardian,

“No training could have readied me for the experience of being with someone at the point of death. This first-hand encounter showed me the reality. You feel sorrow at an impending death and you mourn the loss of someone you barely knew. It forces you to question your own mortality. To a layperson, the process of dying is an unknown territory, something feared and not understood. To a nurse, it is a steep learning curve”

To witness a life lost can be traumatic to some. This can be one of the heaviest cons a nurse has to bear in his/her chosen profession.

Stress

A career in nursing can be very stressful. Working with others, paying close attention to detail, and occasionally working long hours without much rest are all necessary parts of the job. Nurse’s shifts sometimes last for 12 hours or even beyond. A 12-hour shift is lengthy, especially if you are working nonstop and providing care for patients all night. Some people find that a little stress motivates them, making the work days pass quickly and with a sense of purpose. Others may find this tension to be crippling and to have an adverse effect on other aspects of their lives.

AuRNPathway is your Guide!

These pros and cons can be contrary to others. As AuRNPathway wishes you nothing but the best in your nursing pursuit, may these ideas help you weigh your options in the future. If you have decided to take a leap on this rewarding journey, we would be very pleased to welcome you to our growing family. We can help you from enrolment to employment. We are looking forward to seeing you here in Australia!