What Is It Like to Be a Nurse?

When examining nursing as a career, you should be aware that the healthcare field is a different working environment than most other industries. After all, you will encounter patients from all walks of life and administer care during some of the most stressful times of their lives. Nursing is a calling that requires commitment and a caring personality to be successful. If you are prepared to enter this career path though, you will find that many new career trajectories are open to you.

But what is it like to be a nurse on a day-to-day basis, is nursing a good career, and what can you expect from this career path? The physical and emotional demands in this field are substantial, but so are the rewards. If you're considering a career in nursing, the first step is to understand what it truly entails. As a student in Marian University’s Accelerated of Bachelor Science of Nursing program, you will gain experience in real clinical environments throughout our 16-month curriculum and glimpse what the day-to-day work of an RN entails. Now, let’s explore some of the most prominent aspects of a nursing career.

What You Will Find in Nursing

The nursing field is in need of qualified professionals; with a shortage that means the industry will need to fill a projected 193,100 openings per year through 2032. If you are considering a nursing career, you will be able to work in a wide range of settings and practice areas. Some things, however, are similar across the spectrum of nursing career paths. Let’s review some of the most common aspects you will encounter as a nurse.

Job Security and Demand

Job security is among the greatest benefits of becoming a nurse. It is projected that by 2030, 21 percent of the U.S. population will be older than 65. The need for nurses will only continue to grow with an aging population and workforce. Skilled nurses are constantly in demand across location and practice areas, meaning you can be sure of steady work in an industry that values your expertise.

Career Growth Opportunities

Nursing also presents many opportunities for advancement. Many nurses begin their careers in entry-level jobs, but with more training and experience, they can advance into leadership positions or specialized fields. If you are a self-starter who enjoys learning new things, a career in nursing can be a fantastic fit. You can also pursue additional education and certifications to qualify you for advanced practice positions like clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner.

Work-Life Balance

Nursing can be challenging and requires a work-life balance to reset and recharge. Despite nursing's demanding nature, you can find positions offering flexibility that can be difficult to find in other fields. Nurses can frequently find positions that offer schedules to suit their lifestyle. With a family or plans to further your education, this kind of flexible scheduling aids in maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

Emotional Demand of Nursing

Being a nurse is an immensely rewarding but emotionally complex profession. Thus, emotional resilience is essential for negotiating these circumstances while delivering compassionate care. Having close connections, whether it's family, friends, or colleagues, may be helpful while coping with the emotional and physical demands of nursing. Coping skills like meditation or journaling can also help.

Physical Demand of Nursing

Is being a nurse hard? From a physical perspective, nursing can be taxing and requires the right equipment and preparation. Nurses often stand for extended periods of time throughout their 12-hour or more shifts. Job descriptions sometimes include physically demanding duties such as hauling equipment and lifting patients which are a needed part of the career. Because of the cumulative impact of these pressures on your body, your physical health must be your number one concern. Invest in quality footwear and exercise or simply stretch on a regular basis.

Dealing with Complex Decisions

Nurses are often required to make difficult decisions rapidly while under high pressure. The decisions you make, like how to manage a patient’s unexpected change in condition, or how you prioritize activities on a busy ward, may all have a significant influence on the patient satisfaction and outcomes. In addition to medical expertise, a calm and self-assured attitude is essential for working under pressure.

Pros and Cons of Nursing

Nursing offers many rewards, but also comes with challenges. So is being a nurse worth it? As one of the most trusted roles in healthcare, you will fulfill an essential function and help patients through some of the most challenging experiences of their lives. However, you should have your eyes open to some of the challenges associated to working within this field. Let’s explore some of the top pros and cons of nursing.

Pros:

• Job Satisfaction: Nurses have the profound ability to change lives through their work. Whether supporting a grieving family or helping a patient recover from surgery, their efforts leave a positive impact on everyone they encounter. For many nurses, this role brings immense fulfillment, offering a deep sense of importance and success.
• Variety in professions: No two days in nursing are ever the same. Job satisfaction often stems from the diverse range of tasks and experiences available in the field. With varying patient needs and opportunities to work in different settings, the nursing profession is both fascinating and demanding.
• High nurse demand: Due to the high demand for their services, nurses enjoy a level of job stability that is rare in other professions. This is especially valuable when the economy is struggling, as healthcare remains essential even when other industries face uncertainty.

Cons:

• Risk of burnout: Nursing is a high-stress profession that can cause burnout if it is not properly managed. This risk is increased by working long hours, having heavy duties, and the emotional strain of caring for patients. It is important that nurses take care of their mental health and learn coping mechanisms for stress.
• Hazardous environment: Nurses frequently encounter potentially dangerous products as well as infectious diseases. Despite safety protocols, there is always a risk of exposure while working. Your careful adherence to these guidelines is essential for the safety of both you and your patients.

A Day in the Life of a Nurse

Now that we have looked at the features of the nursing field and examined some of the pros and cons, you might be curious about what a day in the life of a practicing nurse might be like.

Preparation

Preparing for the day generally marks the start of a nurse's shift. Upon their early arrival, the nurses go over each patient's file and make a note of any changes that have happened throughout the night. A thorough understanding of each patient's condition is necessary for effective treatment, and being prepared is critical to a successful day's work.

The Shift

Nurses are assigned a variety of responsibilities at the start of each shift, including taking vital signs, changing bandages, delivering medicine, and supporting doctors during procedures. The nurses also spend time communicating with the patient's loved ones, offering support, explaining treatment plans, and addressing any questions or concerns they may have. These conversations are critical to patient care because they build trust and make patients and their families feel heard and understood.

Nurses are obligated by law to write down every encounter with patients, their treatments, and any changes in their health. The records are critical for two reasons. First, it must be kept for legal grounds. Second, it must ensure that patients get the same level of treatment, even if their shifts change or new healthcare practitioners are hired.

End-of-Shift

When one shift ends, nurses provide a smooth transition of patient care by passing on all necessary activities to the next. This includes giving detailed information about each patient's condition, treatments, and any remaining worries. Many nurses use the time after the handoff to think about the day, assessing their strengths and areas for growth. As part of their ongoing professional development, nurses need to engage in reflective thinking to continuously improve their practice.

Pursue Nursing With Marian University

Being a nurse is a tough but very fulfilling job. It gives the possibility to have a significant effect on other people's lives, as well as professional progression and employment stability. It does, however, also present a number of serious difficulties, such as mental strain, physical demands, and the potential for burnout. Nursing provides a very rewarding and purpose-driven job to individuals who are willing to take on these difficulties.

With a more thorough understanding of what it’s like being a nurse, and if you're thinking about pursuing a nursing degree, Marian University's ABSN program provides an education that prepares you for the realities of the field. You're ready to begin your nursing education in a program designed to help you develop the skills required to succeed. Contact an admissions advisor today to start your journey toward a nursing career.