What To Consider If You’re Thinking Of Becoming A Nurse (2024)

I've been studying Nursing for almost a year and so far it has been a great experience

Student Nurse, Dorcas, looks at the personal skills needed to becoming a Nurse, and weighs up the pros and cons of a Nursing career. Is Nursing right for you?

Topics Covered In This Article

I’ve Gained Valuable Experience Working As A Healthcare Assistant

Communication Is A Key Personal Skill For Nurses

If You Are Looking For Variety And Flexibility Nursing Is A Good Career Choice

Nursing Can Offer Job Security And Good Pay

Be Aware Of The Challenges That Nurses Face

Keep On Learning

I’ve Gained Valuable Experience Working As A Healthcare Assistant

I currently study Adult Nursing at the University of Northampton.

I've been studying Nursing for almost a year and so far it has been a great experience.

For a person to study Nursing as a major, they have to have the passion to care for people and not just with the intention of making money out of it.

Alongside my studies, I also work as a Health Care Assistant in a Care Home. My decision to work at a part-time job that is in line with my career path has been one of the best decisions I have made.

I now have a lot of experience that will facilitate my becoming a better Health Care Professional by the time I conclude my Bachelors.

When I considered going into Nursing, I did not consider the pay, I went into it because it has always been my passion as a kid to take care of people, not just taking care of them but to also put smiles on their faces.

My role as a Health Care Assistant is not too different from the role of a Nurse so it is easier to adapt to learning to become a Nurse.

I would advise anyone who intends to go into the Nursing profession or any Medical-related field, to endeavour to gain some level of work experience before proceeding or while studying.

The experience will ensure that they are acquainted with the nitty-gritty of what taking care of people entails, which will also serve as a good leverage for their career.

Looking at the sector today, experience is very crucial, and it cannot be over-emphasized.

After having a part-time job that is related to care.

Communication Is A Key Personal Skill For Nurses

If you are thinking of choosing this career path, you have to learn how to engage with people.

Communication is one of the most important things to consider when choosing that career.

You need to know how to engage with people, if you are someone who does not like talking or do not know how to start a conversation with someone, it might prove a bit difficult to pursue this career path: communication matters a lot.

Some patients just require you to talk to them before they can be mentally fine. As a Student Nurse, one of the first topics I was taught at school is communication and with my part time job I have been able to develop that skill over time.

If You Are Looking For Variety And Flexibility Nursing Is A Good Career Choice

If you are looking into Nursing, it is a very nice career path that encourages a wide range of study, for instance, if you go into adult Nursing, you can as well, decide later to go into other forms of Nursing like surgical Nursing, A&P, midwifery and so on.

It gives you room to choose what best suits you.

Nursing is flexible, that is, even with a family you can consider it as a career, there is opportunity to choose what days you would like to work, and that will give you more time to take care of your family.

Also, it is a career that would give you time to do other things you love doing for example, if you love acting, you could have time to go into it while you have a career.

Nursing Can Offer Job Security And Good Pay

Nursing is a job that is high in demand so even after acquiring your degree you do not need to worry because the country is currently looking for Nurses, people who have the passion to take care of others.

Not just because they are looking for something to keep themselves busy.

And also, people who would like to put smiles on other people’s faces.

Another thing to consider is the pay.

Nursing is the right choice if you need high income, it is a well-paying job that would change your life and it is suitable for both genders.

If you are clamouring for financial stability it is a great job to consider.

Be Aware Of The Challenges That Nurses Face

Something important you should know is that choosing Nursing as a career can be challenging too.

In as much as there is flexibility it can also be overwhelming, and you might feel like you want it to end.

But if you have passion for something you would think twice before you end it.

As a student Nurse, there are times when I think I cannot do it anymore because of the workload and some other things that surround it, but I have realized that I cannot back up on what has always been my dream.

Keep On Learning

Considering this career will also enable you to continue education because in the Nursing sector there are different levels to attain, being a student-Nurse, one of my plans is to also take a one-year course after Bachelor’s degree to attain my Master's degree.

You can also go into other medical courses like Physical Therapy, etc. after having your Bachelor’s as a Nurse.

In conclusion, the Nursing career is something you would appreciate if you have the passion for it.