Accelerated Nursing Programs Might Land You a Dream Job Faster Than Expected
- Education
- By Kirstie H. on
Do you want to help people while earning a highly salary, but don't have 4 years to spend on schooling? A rewarding career in nursing could be right around the corner with a fast-tracked program in nursing. Here's some of the best & fastest programs.
If you want to make a difference in people's lives and you want a challenging and fulfilling job, becoming a registered nurse can open up many career avenues. Nursing can be a rewarding career for those who are motivated to help people and willing to put in the work. If you've ever considered a career in nursing, here are five reasons why a nursing degree might be perfect for you.
Nursing Offers Excellent Job Security
There is currently a nationwide shortage of nurses, which means there is a surplus of nursing jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this gap will only grow, with approximately 1.9 million new jobs estimated to be added to the job market over the next ten years. This increase is much greater than the average growth for many other occupations in the U.S. Of course; nurses will always be needed to deliver care and support the healthcare industry, making nursing one of the few professions that are always in demand, despite the state of the economy.
As America's population continues to age and the average life expectancy increases, so do age-related illnesses. In fact, according to the National Council on Aging, 80% of elderly adults have at least one chronic disease. As a result, the need for nurses will only continue to rise, leading to greater demand and job security.
Flexible Working Conditions
Becoming a registered nurse is the first step to a lifelong career in the health industry. Medicine is a vast field and has countless ways to specialize. There are myriad ways to help others, from delivering end-of-life care to terminally ill patients to providing support to people living with chronic illnesses. This makes nursing a flexible career with many options.
A lesser-known aspect of nursing is that it gives you a lot of flexibility in your schedule. When many people think of nursing, they imagine long hours and a rigid timetable—but this is incorrect. Nurses often have the ability to choose their own shifts and choose which kind of hours they would like to work. For example, if you have young children at home and a night shift fits better into your schedule, you can typically request your desired shifts to work around your schedule. Some nurses even have the option of deciding whether they want to work on weekends.
Government Grants and Student Debt Write-Offs
Borrowing money for a nursing degree and then having your debt forgiven —now that's a good investment. Did you know that the government often forgives student loans for nurses? In addition, nursing students can also benefit from various grants for their studies.
Nurses who choose to use their skills in a military hospital or government facility also receive special exemptions. Likewise, nurses who volunteer for the Peace Corps are entitled to special consideration when it comes time to pay back their student loans.
Lucrative Opportunities with Travel Nursing
Nursing gives you tremendous flexibility for travel because you can go wherever the patients are. For example, nurses can find employment in the military or work alongside professional sports teams. As a registered nurse, you can travel the world just by working!
There are also opportunities for "travel nurses" who want to offer their skills across the U.S. without being tied to one medical facility. As travel nurses are classed as independent contractors, they enjoy the benefits of a flexible schedule and excellent compensation.
You Can Get Your Nursing Degree Online
It takes a lot of time, study, and dedication to become a nurse, but you may be surprised to hear that many programs offer online courses. Online nursing degrees offer an opportunity for you to learn at your own pace and around your own schedule. Plus, online nursing degrees tend to be much cheaper than the cost of traditional nursing degrees — win-win!
How To Get A Nursing Degree
The way you get started in nursing school will depend on your previous education level and lifestyle needs, but the good news is that whether you choose to go full-time or part-time, a nursing degree is very easy to get started!
If you have been considering a career in nursing, there's never been a better time to start your search for a degree program that fits your budget and schedule.
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