Nursing is an excellent choice for a profession, and one that is needed increasingly every year.  Apart from the immense sense of satisfaction that comes from giving comfort to the ill, and helping in the healing process, there are many reasons to become a nurse, including the opportunities for career choices and advancement.
Nursing is the fastest growing occupation in the United States and makes up the largest portion of the medical industry.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with the current Nursing population reaching retirement, and the general population aging towards the need for more medical care, an estimated 581,500 more nursing jobs will be needed by 2018 – just five years away.
Besides being in great demand, a nurse has many options, including where to work, what to specialize in, and what educational degrees to pursue.  There are more than 100 different specialties currently within the field of nursing from which to choose.  With this variety, a nurse can start in one area of expertise and move laterally or upwardly into other fields of interest over a career.  As advances in medicine continue, more and more opportunities and specialties will arise in nursing.
Before pursuing a career in nursing, it is important to understand that nursing is extremely demanding, both physically and mentally.  Physical pressures include dealing with emergency cases, on-call duties, and extended working hours.  Mentally, nursing requires the strength to deal with the emotional situations of patients and their families, and acting as an advocate in front of doctors.  Minimally, nurses must be…
Kind and Compassionate – a nurse comes across to people who are dealing with trauma – both physically and mentally.  When surrounded with patients who need assistance, it is important to be kind and compassionate even when frustrated or exhausted.
Physical Strength – a nurse must constantly be “on” while assisting doctors and patients in stressful situations every day.  In nursing, on-call duties and extended shifts are the norm, making it important to be physically active and strong.
Mental Strength – a nurse is the connection between the doctor, patient, and the patient’s family, and deals with questions and emotions like anger, frustration, pain, and even agony.  Simultaneously, nurses must be calm regardless of the situation.
Excellent Communicator – a nurse has to provide proper communication, which can be soft and polite, making the patient feel at ease, or firm when instructing the patient about medications and exercises.  In addition, nurses must be good listeners.
Thirst for Knowledge – with the continuous discovery of new illnesses, medicines, and development in healthcare technology, nurses need to update and adapt themselves continuously with the changing trends.
Alert and Observant – observing the unspoken needs of the patient, providing emergency care and assistance, taking charge of the situation when the doctor is not present, and so on, are part of the job.
Adaptable – the dynamic nature of the working environment in the healthcare sector means that every day is different – new cases, new patients, new families, and new peers. A nurse needs to be flexible and adapt to change easily, whether in a schedule or dealing with patients.
A nurse is an integral part of the healthcare profession. There are a number of institutions all over the world which offer different courses in nursing.  Nursing is not just an admirable profession and good way to earn a living, it is a profession that demands skills, hard work, and devotion.
Photography: Phil Borges