Do I have what it takes to be a nurse? Is nursing right for me? Learn about the signs you should look out for, which include what nurses do, six traits that every good nurse should have, and the benefits of becoming a nurse.
If you’ve considered becoming a nurse, chances are you like to help people and want a career where you can make a difference. Nursing incorporates those things, but there can also be many other duties you may not expect. We will help you determine if you should become a nurse, explore what they do during a typical shift, touch on which personality traits you’ll need to be successful, and share the benefits of entering the profession.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field, you can apply to Notre Dame of Maryland University’s Accelerated 2nd Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, and earn your degree in as few as 15 months. Have you ever wondered, “Do I have what it takes to be a nurse?” Here are three signs to see if you are equipped to be successful.
Sign 1: You Understand What Nurses Do
If you’ve ever received care from a nurse or heard about the profession from a friend, you may already have a basic idea of what nurses do. But knowing more about a typical day in the life of a nurse can help give you a better feel for what the job encompasses and help you decide if you have what it takes to be a nurse.
According to Indeed, a nurse’s duties during a shift can range from ordering diagnostic tests and administering medication, to creating care plans and offering emotional support to patients and their families, and everything in between. In addition to those duties, nurses also make connections with coworkers and patients, can help nurses at other hospitals if needed, and much more. Simply put, you’ll never get bored as a nurse.
10 Pieces of Advice for Nursing Students
Sign 2: You Have These 6 Traits of Successful Nurses
Now that you know what nurses do during a typical shift, you might still be wondering, “do I have what it takes to be a nurse?” The next question should be if you have the personality traits needed to succeed in the profession. Below are six traits successful nurses have in common:
1. Strong Communication and Collaboration Skills
Nurses can work in various settings, but almost always need to be able to communicate and work together as part of a team. A large portion of their day involves working with surgeons, physicians, specialists, assistants, technicians, and many other health care providers as part of a patient’s care team.
2. Patience
As a nurse, you will interact with stressed staff, non-compliant patients, demanding families, and other obstacles. Keeping your cool will serve you well as you work to provide the best care possible and help folks going through these hard times. If you keep asking yourself, “should I be a nurse?”, think about how patient and proactive you are in stressful situations.
3. Empathy
Empathy is the ability to relate to what someone else is feeling or going through. You’ll work with patients from all different walks of life, so being empathetic to their unique circumstances will serve you well.
It’s also worth noting that nurses frequently interact with people who are in stressful situations, so being empathetic and working well under pressure are both necessary skills to be successful in the profession and can help guide the kind of care you provide to patients.
4. Adaptability
Sometimes you’ll need to carry out multiple care plans or help several patients at once. Your duties could change on a dime, so being flexible is crucial. Because nurses also respond to emergencies and unexpected events, top-notch problem-solving skills and quick thinking are both vital.
5. Confidence
Carrying out your work with confidence will make your patients feel more at ease and help you own your role as a nurse. There’s often no time for second-guessing, so having faith in yourself and your abilities is necessary.
6. Willingness to Learn
As medical advancements emerge and technology advances, it’s important to be willing to learn and grow within your role as a nurse. Many states also require the completion of continuing education courses to keep a nursing license current. And pursuing certifications and advancing your education can help you advance in the field.
Of course, while these traits embody successful nurses and will help you in your career as a nurse, you’ll still need the foundational skills, tools, and education that the Notre Dame of Maryland University ABSN program provides.
Sign 3: You Are Interested in the Benefits of Becoming a Nurse
Now that we’ve covered the common traits of successful nurses, let’s discuss the benefits of working as a nurse: job security, job satisfaction, and flexibility. If you’re still wondering, should I be a nurse? And are looking for a few more reasons to add to your list of why you should become a nurse, we’ve got you covered. Nursing is a career that pays well, is rewarding, and is needed. With so many benefits to the profession, nursing may be the right path for you.
Start Your Nursing Journey Sooner
The Accelerated 2nd Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program at Notre Dame of Maryland University can help prepare you for the world of nursing and open the door to all the benefits the profession has to offer in as few as 15 months.
6 Reasons Why a BSN is Worth It
Nursing Is an In-Demand Field
As a nurse who holds a BSN from Notre Dame of Maryland University, you’ll be in high demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 6% between 2021 and 2031, faster than the average for all occupations. What better time to start your nursing journey than now?
Nurses Earn a Competitive Salary
Besides the fact that you will most likely have a lot of job prospects after you earn your BSN, another reason to start your nursing education is that the profession offers competitive salaries.
For example, the mean annual registered nurse salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson was $77,600 in 2021, according to BLS reports. If you choose to leverage your BSN even further, you’ll have opportunities to make even more: nurse anesthetists earned an average of $195,610, while nurse practitioners earned an average of $120,680 in 2021.
Nurses Do Rewarding Work
In addition to the opportunity to make a comfortable wage, you can also rest assured that you are making a difference in an occupation people trust.
Nursing has been No. 1 on the annual Gallup poll of most trusted professions for the last several years, and it’s no mystery why. People recognize that nurses are there to help people through tough situations, provide support, and offer expert care.
Arguably the biggest benefit: as a nurse, you’ll change lives. Nursing allows you the opportunity to have a positive impact on someone’s life every single day.
Are You Ready to Change Lives as a Nurse?
Now that you know a little more about what nurses do, the traits you need to be a successful nurse, and the benefits of working in the profession, you may have a better idea of if you have what it takes to be a nurse. If you are ready to transform your non-nursing bachelor’s degree into a BSN, the Notre Dame ABSN program can help.
It all starts with a phone conversation with one of our admissions counselors, who can help you determine if our ABSN program aligns with your educational and professional goals. Complete the form to get started today!