Nursing is an amazing profession where you get to help people and make a real difference in their lives. Plus, it comes with a good salary. But while it’s a rewarding job, it’s also tough. If you’re considering becoming a nurse, or you’re already enrolled in a nursing school in PA, here are three important things to think about before you dive into your career.
First, ask yourself if you’re ready to work harder than ever before. Nursing school isn’t a walk in the park. You’ll have to tackle a lot of math, intense science courses, and learn numerous new terms. And that’s just in the classroom. When you start your clinical training, the challenge ramps up even more. You’ll be dealing with real patients and real medical issues, which means there’s a lot of pressure to avoid making mistakes. You’ll be applying the techniques and theories you learned in class to real-life situations for the first time. So, nursing school requires a lot of drive, determination, and grit. Are you ready for it?
Second, consider what kind of nurse you want to be. It’s important to think about the area of nursing that suits you best. If you thrive under pressure, maybe you should look into becoming a critical care nurse or working in an emergency room. If you love working with kids, pediatric nursing could be your calling. There are countless specialties in nursing, from cardiac to neonatal care, rehab, and mental health. Deciding on a specialty can help focus your studies and guide you toward the right internships and externships, giving you valuable hands-on experience in your chosen field.
Lastly, think about whether you have the caring and compassionate nature that nursing demands—and the ability to move on when things get tough. Nurses have their fair share of success stories, like bringing premature babies into the world or saving heart attack victims. But they also witness a lot of heartache. A great nurse knows how to provide excellent care to achieve the best possible outcomes, even if those outcomes aren’t what everyone hoped for. When things don’t go well, nurses need to comfort the patients’ loved ones and then quickly regroup to care for the next patient.
So, if you’re ready for the hard work, have a clear idea of your interests, and can handle the emotional ups and downs, nursing could be the perfect career for you.