My Inspiration To Obtain A Bachelor’s Degree In Nursing
Being able to pursue a career in nursing or medical field positions is a lengthly and costly process. This type of schooling requires many hours of hard work dedication and sacrifice to be able to obtain the knowledge needed to succeed in the medical field. There are many positions in nursing that one could pursue, which include a Certified Nursing Assistant, Licensed Vocational Nurse, Registered Nurse, and even more job opportunities once someone obtains their Registered Nurses license. Although the process in becoming a nurse can be very expensive and lengthly, it can be very rewarding. The schooling needed to become a Registered Nurse is a four year long process to be able to obtain a Bachelor’s degree. However, the gratification one receives from helping others better their health is priceless. This essay will share research and information on becoming a nurse and the benefits of being able to work as one.
Although it may take up to four years to be able to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in nursing and the road may be hard and long it is worth it. Some prerequisite that will be required towards this degree include English 101, Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology. Students will also be required to maintain a 3.0 GPA in all Biology and English classes. Once accepted into the Nursing Program students will be required to finish four more semesters to obtain their AA degree in Nursing. The cost of the Nursing program will vary from school to school, although according to the Imagine America Foundation, “By contrast to the above, BSN programs offered at community colleges cost considerably less. Tuition and fees in these colleges could range anywhere from $3,000 to about $14,000 a year. In-state students pay less than out-of-state students, which is another advantage for those who intend to stay in their own hometowns while obtaining their BSN degree.” Although it may take a lot of time and money to be able to get to the point where someone can obtain a Nursing degree the job options are endless.
Once obtaining a Nursing Degree there are endless possibilities in which nurses can explore. Since nursing has such a wide variety of departments that nurses can transfer to, this allows nurses to have options when trying to find their niche. There are different departments to choose from such as Occupational nurse, Nurse midwife, Nurse case manager, Dialysis nurse etc. These are just some of the many branches that someone might choose from. Personally I have always been intrigued in becoming a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. Coming from a back ground of working with children in both my jobs, I believe it would be an amazing experience to be able to work with and care for newborns and infants on a daily basis. According to the Nurse Journal a Neonatal Nurse Practitioners job may intel working with infants and newborns that have a variety of health issues. These health issues might include premature infants, birth defects, possible infection, cardiac malformations, and surgical problems these infant might have encountered. The Nurse Journal also states that, “While neonatal care provides incredibly rewarding moments, individuals may find the job emotionally and mentally taxing.” Along with those rewarding and mentally taxing moments its pays off by knowing that you are able to bring home a good paycheck to support your family.
Oprah Winfrey once said, “If you get paid for doing what you love, every paycheck is a bonus. Give yourself the bonus of a lifetime: Pursue your passion. Discover what you love. Then do it!” I have always had a passion to help others who may not be able to help themselves and to make a difference in people’s lives. In California Nurses actually tend to earn more than other nurses in other states. This could be for several reasons, one reason being that the cost of living in California is actually quite high. Another reason could be that since minimum wage has also gone up, therefore so does everything else. A Registered Nurse in California makes close to $102,700 dollars a year which theoretically breaks down to be $8,500 a month or even $49 dollars an hour. Hourly pay can depend on several things and can vary from employer, location and the type of experience that a nurse might have. If a nurse if fresh out of school with little experience odds are that they will most likely not get paid as much as someone who has been a nurse for almost 25 years. Another factor that will effect pay is the type of nurse someone is trying to be. For example, while a Registered nurse makes close to $102,000 a Nurse anesthetist makes approximately $157,000 a year. How much nurses make is nothing in comparison to the benefits that nurses obtain.
There are many benefits for those seeking a job in the medical field as a Registered Nurse. Some of those benefits may include Job security, Flexible work schedule, Mental satisfaction, Health benefits, and more. These are only some of the few benefits that are catching the interest of many individuals everywhere. Nurses will always have job security as this is one of the professions that is always needed. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow fifteen percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth will occur for a number of reasons.” If this is the case then upcoming nurses will not have to worry about jobs being scarce. Along with the many benefits of nursing there are also a lot of opportunities and options for individuals wanting to further their degree in specialized training. Having a flexible work schedule is also a great thing to have, because if one has children or one day wishes to have children they are able to manage both work and making it to their kids soccer game and don’t have to choose between them. There is also the mental satisfaction that one gets with knowing that they are able to help others. I know I get a feeling of job when I am able to help others who I know will never be able to repay me, It's a little thing called selflessness. Plus there are so many great health benefits on top of everything else, the perks of working in a hospital and getting to know many other great doctors and nurses.
Nurses who want to further their career and invest in more schooling they can choose to go back to school and gain specialized training. This training might include but not be limited to Neonatal nurse, Nurse midwife, Clinical nurse, Dialysis Nurse, Nurse Practitioner etc. These types of specialized Nurses require more schooling since they are dealing with more intense situations. Neonatal nurse’s job is to assist a patient once they have given birth with newborn babies who are either ill or in some cases premature. This would require earning some certifications in neonatal resuscitation. A nurse midwife job on the other hand is to guide their patients through giving birth and even pregnancy. The high pay that they earn reflect all the work and knowledge they must gain to be able to successfully deliver a baby and know what to do if there are complications. They must also know what to do for the health of the mother as well. Nurse midwife has to gain one year of experience working as a clinical nurse and on top of that earn a their master’s degree in nurse-midwifery along with other licensed requirements. As a clinical nurse I just a fancy way of calling a nurse that has many different specialties that they have educated themselves upon. These nurses must earn a master’s degree in the specialties they choose to pursue. A Dialysis nurse deals more with patients who suffer from failing kidneys and require specialized machines to clean their blood. Although not a lot of extra degrees or training is needed to become a dialysis nurse most hospitals and employers require seven or more years of experience. Last but not least would be a Nurse Practitioner, who is able to gain the privilege of being able to write prescriptions. This captured my attention because although it might require more schooling the salary is way worth it and they are not just basic nurses. Nurse Practitioners require one to go past a bachelor’s degree and pursue and complete a master’s program. They must also take special licensing in being able to write prescriptions.
There are so many great aspects to this job that make it worth pursuing. Not only would I be able to help others who may not be able to help themselves at that point in time, but I can learn so much. Along with those many great aspects of the job I would be able to obtain a bunch of great benefits to be able to help support my future family. It's exciting to think that individuals are not just confined to one thing, but that there are a bunch of different branches should one choose that they are tired of being an ordinary Registered nurse and want to be more like a Nurse Practitioner. This is what inspired me to be a nurse in the first place to learn and grow and help others with any obstacles that may get in the way of life.
Works cited
- 'How Much Does Nursing School Cost? | Imagine America Foundation.' Imagine America Foundation. N.p., 2 019. Web. 21 July 2019.
- 'Registered Nurses: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics.' Bls.gov. N.p., 2019. Web. 2 1 July 2019.
