I’ve been working with a lot of students recently who are pursuing or interested in pursuing a degree or path towards nursing or being a nurse practitioner. With this in mind, it only made sense to post a topic that I could easily refer them to.
When your career goal(s) involve the healthcare industry, there can be a number of avenues to choose from. One of these is to work as a nurse. This can be within a GP surgery, at a hospital or hospice, or even going to clients’ homes.
While nursing may not seem as glamorous as its doctor counterpart, nurses are essential to the work done within these institutions. It is important to note that not everyone will be suited to the role, due to the sheer amount of work, pressure, and emotions it can bring.
However, for those who do want to embark down this path, there are some aspects you should consider.
Education
While you may not be required to have numerous qualifications under your belt all at once, there are educational requirements to be a nurse practitioner that you will need to pass and attain prior to gaining employment.
Many may also wish to specialize even further to gain the skills most suited to your chosen style of working. As an example, some of the medical procedures you may be asked to perform can differ dramatically when working with adults or children, so it is imperative that you understand the differences if you wish to work with either.
Some types of nurses, such as family nurse practitioners, will be required to treat patients of all ages, from infants to adults, so will need to be able to quickly judge which procedure would be best used for each individual case. Due to this, the importance of nursing education and specialized education cannot be overlooked.
Stamina
The role of the nurse encompasses so many different jobs, from taking readings from blood and oxygen machines, to aiding doctors, and even supporting patients with their general care, such as using the toilet or showering.
Within all these, nurses are supposed to have designated breaks, much like any other worker, however this is often not the case. Due to the needs of the patients, a nurse’s own needs must come in second, meaning you may frequently need to hold your bladder or ignore your hunger pangs to ensure that the task you are doing is completed successfully. We’ve witnessed this so much with COVID-19.
In addition to this, shifts can be long, sometimes around 12 hours, so you will need to be comfortable on your feet for extended periods of time.
Personality
When deciding if a career as a nurse is for you, it is important to also consider your general personality traits. A good nurse is someone who is able to communicate any problems or care that is required easily and clearly, has respect for those around them and, potentially most importantly, is able to show empathy towards others.
You also need to be fairly resilient, as not all patients will be polite, and some situations may require you to stay strong mentally and emotionally.
Final Thoughts
While these are only a few things to consider, there are so many more, so be sure to do your research. Once you have considered the various aspects required of being a nurse or nurse practitioner, you can then make an informed decision regarding whether this is the ideal career for you.
