Seven reasons you should become a nurse

There are hundreds of reasons why you should become a nurse and they range from a love of learning to a need for change and everything in between. But today, we’ll talk about just seven reasons why nursing is right for you. 

#1 You want to make a difference  

Unlike many professions, nursing puts you at the heart of positive change. You have a direct impact on your patients' lives and can comfort them and their families in tough times. Whether it’s during a single visit or weeks of nurturing care, nursing provides support directly and you can see the benefit you’re having in real-time. 

#2 You want a lot of career options 

What you specialise in as a nurse can take a number of forms. Maybe you work as a palliative carer helping those with the end of life or specialise in paediatrics or midwifery; looking after our new youngest arrivals. You could teach or focus on the mind with psychiatric nursing. Or perhaps you want to set-up your own care home and run it as a qualified administrator; the options are endless! 

#3 You’ll always be in demand 

Even as technology improves, there’s still a huge need for in-home, GP and hospital care from qualified nursing staff. And we don’t see that changing. Plus, the UK population is ageing rapidly with a low replenishment rate; so later life care is growing in necessity. So, it’s likely you’d be able to find good quality placements across your entire career. 

#4 The benefits are excellent 

Even from a fresh graduate level, the salary and benefits packages for nursing in the UK are good at £28k to start. If you become a private contractor, open your own care service or market your experience well, you could get enhanced benefits. These might include private health insurance, pension boosts, more holiday time and educational bursaries. 

#5 You’ll never be lonely 

Working as a nurse is a collaborative profession. From working with insurers, other colleagues, consulting GPs, patients and their families; there’s always someone to connect with and learn from. If you love a sense of camaraderie, nursing is one of the most supportive environments to work in. And getting immersed in the community provides great opportunities to learn from others while delivering amazing, holistic care. 

#6 It’s fulfilling. 

A lot of work people do is mind-numbingly the same, day-in and day-out. But nursing is different all the time. It allows you to help others and make a meaningful impact on their lives. Unlike many other roles, you’ll know the names of the people you’ve helped. And the gratitude and appreciation you receive from patients and their families is satisfying. That’s not to mention the soft skills you’ll develop over time like enriched empathy, creative critical thinking, fast problem-solving and emotional resilience. These are beneficial in all aspects of life. 

#7 It’s challenging. 

If basic and boring isn’t for you; nursing is! It’s a challenging field that requires a lot of soft skills and practical knowledge & training. You’ll need to be at the top of your game every day to give your patients the best possible care. And you’ll need to commit to improving yourself with new techniques as they emerge so you’re always providing the best treatment options. 

Decided on nursing and want to see #UniAsItShouldBe in action? Study in our nurturing environment at Bolton. Reach out to enquiries@bolton.ac.uk or call 01204 903774 to learn more or browse our courses here.