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Why be a nurse?
A career in nursing is one of the most exciting and rewarding occupations. Nurses provide vital hands-on patient care, but that’s not all they do. They are leaders, innovators, educators, change makers helping improve access to care. Find out why nursing as a career can be right for you.
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Nurses are leaders, innovators, and fierce patient advocates
A career in nursing is one of the most dynamic, exciting, and rewarding occupations. Did you know there are more than 4 million registered nurses in the U.S.,1 which makes nursing the largest sector of the healthcare workforce, with more than 100 specialties to choose from?
Nurses provide vital hands-on patient care, but that’s not all they do. They are leaders, innovators, educators, change makers, problem solvers, patient advocates, policy makers, and so much more.
As with any profession, some nursing roles can be challenging with potential for stress, long working hours, and both physical and mental fatigue. What makes nursing special is that it also comes with great opportunities to make a positive impact on patients, communities, and the world.
Nurses are the backbone of healthcare, with innovative mindsets, invaluable insights, and hands-on experience, they are uniquely positioned to advance access to and transform healthcare.
Nurses provide vital hands-on patient care, but that’s not all they do. They are leaders, innovators, educators, change makers, problem solvers, patient advocates, policy makers, and so much more.
As with any profession, some nursing roles can be challenging with potential for stress, long working hours, and both physical and mental fatigue. What makes nursing special is that it also comes with great opportunities to make a positive impact on patients, communities, and the world.
Nurses are the backbone of healthcare, with innovative mindsets, invaluable insights, and hands-on experience, they are uniquely positioned to advance access to and transform healthcare.
Top reasons to become a nurse
1. Nurses make a real difference in people’s lives
Nurses’ expertise, innovation, and compassion enable nurses to make a meaningful impact in the communities they serve by providing essential healthcare, advocacy, and leadership where and when it is needed most.
2. Nursing is a fast-growing, in-demand profession
The demand for nurses continues to grow, adding more than 200,000 positions annually. In 2022, the median RN salary was $81,220, making it a stable, well-paying job. Even more importantly, nursing is consistently ranked as the most trusted profession in the U.S.
3. Many opportunities for financial aid and scholarships
Many resources exist to assist nursing students with the cost of nursing school, from federal student aid (FAFSA) to scholarships and grants. Loan repayment programs are often overlooked but are a great option to consider. Nurse Corps scholarship and loan repayment programs are federally funded, and some employers also offer similar programs.
4. Flexible educational pathways to becoming a nurse
There are several educational pathways available to help you get started. Some nursing options require short-term training and allow you to enter the workforce quickly, making nursing education more affordable. Some nurses choose to enter the profession as an associate degree nurse (ADN) and obtain their bachelor’s degree (BSN) while working as a Registered Nurse (RN). Others, with experience both within and outside of the medical field may often also consider nursing as a rewarding second career.
5. Something for everyone. Over 100 specialties to meet your needs
Once you’re a Registered Nurse (RN) you can take your career in so many new directions by specializing in an area you really enjoy, with endless opportunities to remain within healthcare or to purse a career outside of the medical field. The diverse range of specialties within nursing ensures that there is always room for growth and opportunities to explore new career paths and environments that meet your personal and professional needs. Specializing will give you greater responsibilities and a potentially higher salary, and you’ll have a new level of confidence to go deeper into what you love to do. No matter how far you are in your nursing journey, there is a specialty to suit you.
6. Transforming healthcare through leadership and innovation
Through innovative and human-centered solutions, nurses are coming up with solutions to solve for today’s most challenging healthcare problems such as health equity, access to care, policy, new products, technology, and more. With the goal to improve human health, increased efficiency in healthcare systems, and the overall wellbeing of the communities they serve, nurses lead as change agents.
7. Nursing as a second career opens a pathway to transfer skills
Nursing as a second career is a valuable pathway for individuals seeking a change or returning to education. It offers an opportunity to leverage prior life and work experiences, enhancing one’s empathy and ad
8. Collaborate with different healthcare professionals
Holistic care is at the foundation of nursing education and, as such, nurses are key members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, coordinating the different medical specialties and community resources to develop comprehensive care plans. This collaborative approach ensures patients receive individualized care.
Interested in learning more about a career in nursing?
Are you a high school or college student interested in a career in nursing? If so, this fun, interactive nursing career guide is for you! It provides fun facts about the profession, guidance on what classes to take to help you prepare for a career in nursing, information on different ways into the profession, and resources to help you get there.
Nursing career FAQs
Is a career in nursing for me?
Watch and get inspired by stories of nurses who found their calling in nursing. Gain confidence on the opportunity as you listen to what inspired them to become nurses, the barriers and challenges, and what help them keep going as they became part of the largest most trusted healthcare profession in the US.
Get answers to these and other common questions about nursing as a career with our Nursing FAQ.
Get answers to these and other common questions about nursing as a career with our Nursing FAQ.
How much do nurses make?
Nurses’ salaries depend on many factors. The median annual RN salary in the United States is $81,220, per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports, making it a stable, well-paying job. That figure spans all types of nurses and geographic locations, including the lowest and highest-paying nursing jobs, with some of the highest-paid nurses earning over $200K.
Where do I start?
There isn’t one way to get into nursing—there are many different paths to get there! When considering a future nursing career, it’s important to understand the different nursing degrees available so as a prospective student you can choose the educational path that best suits your goals and interests. Once you have an idea of your starting point, you can start to plan you journey.
What specialty is right for me?
There are various types of nursing, each with its own distinct focus and requirements. Different types of nurses include registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and certified nursing assistants (CNAs). Nursing specialties can range from pediatrics to oncology and require specialized training and education to provide expert care in their respective areas.
Explore what nursing specialty might be right for you here.
Explore what nursing specialty might be right for you here.
What is the right nursing school and program for me?
There are numerous nursing schools and programs throughout the country, providing a wide range of nursing classes, degrees, and certifications to choose from. Use our guide to explore the best programs, colleges, and universities based on your needs and career goals.
Explore our Nursing Programs & Degrees Guide to find the program and location that best fits your needs.
Explore our Nursing Programs & Degrees Guide to find the program and location that best fits your needs.
How do I pay for nursing school?
Whether you’re pursuing an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in nursing, there are a variety of ways to cover tuition and find financial support to help you achieve your academic goals. There are scholarships, work study programs through colleges, grants, tuition reimbursement through hospital systems, and lastly, if you have to, there are student loans available. Nursing scholarships and grants can be found through a variety of sources, including professional organizations, government agencies, and private foundations.
Visit our Paying for Nursing School directory to explore our nursing scholarships, grants, as well as the variety of financial aid programs and student loans available to you.
Visit our Paying for Nursing School directory to explore our nursing scholarships, grants, as well as the variety of financial aid programs and student loans available to you.
How do I apply to nursing school?
After exploring the nursing program that is best for you, make sure to talk to your school counselor, mentor, or admission advisor to ensure a good fit. Learn about the nursing school’s accreditation, the entrance exams requirements, and prepare a strong nursing school application.
Learn more about these considerations here.
Learn more about these considerations here.
Real nurses, real stories
Get inspired by these nurses on the frontlines of care and caring.
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Every day that I go home, I know I have impacted someone’s life in a positive way. I love knowing that I have been there for my patients, from those who are toddlers to those who are geriatrics. I help to alleviate their fears and be with them during a frightening experience in their lives.
Thomas, PhDNurse anesthetist -
What I love most about being a nurse is that I go home feeling great about what I’ve done. To me it’s not just about holding hands or wearing colorful scrubs. It’s about using fast critical thinking skills, listening to your gut, your instinct, and going from there.
Anita, MSN, MS, CCRN, C-NPTPediatric and neonatal critical care transport nurse -
What I love about nursing is the different personalities, different families, different cultures. And of course, they’re coming in a vulnerable state where they’re sick, but you get to be a part of that person’s healing process. You get to know them, you get really close to them, and then you help them. You make them feel better.
Avery, BSN, MS, CENEmergency room nurse
Sources
1 Who We Are, American Nurses Association
2 Nursing Workforce Fact Sheet, American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
3 Why Representation Matters in Nursing and Healthcare, Nurses Journal
4 Diversity improves performance and outcomes , Journal of the National Medical Association
5 The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity, National Library of Medicine, NIH
6 TradingEconomics.com
7 2020 U.S. Population More Racially and Ethnically Diverse Than Measured in 2010, U.S. Census Bureau
