Why become a nurse? In nursing, you can find a high-demand career with purpose and a competitive income. You can carry out your passion for helping others, enter a flexible career path, and make a difference for countless patients with help from Marian University’s ABSN program.
Nursing is a profession that blends purpose, stability, and growth. The RN role makes a life-changing difference every day while building a flexible long-term career. From bedside roles to advanced practice across the U.S., nursing can open doors in whichever area of healthcare you want to explore.
Marian University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is designed to prepare you for professional nursing practice in as little as 16 months. With a curriculum combining online learning with in-person labs and clinicals, students can complete their education and begin their careers in the thriving healthcare markets of Indianapolis, Indiana and Nashville, Tennessee.
Why become a nurse? Let’s explore some of the top benefits of becoming a nurse, from professional opportunities to flexibility and lifestyle advantages. See how you can prepare for a nursing career with Marian ABSN and graduate ready to enter this rewarding calling.
1. Nursing Offers a Career With Purpose
Why do you want to be a nurse? Many may respond to that question with the sense of purpose that nursing offers and the difference they can make for patients. Key nursing qualities include compassion and empathy, and this role grants you the opportunity to make a major difference for patients and their loved ones.
Respectful nursing care could look like taking extra time to educate a patient on how to properly use an inhaler, answering a parent’s questions about their child’s condition, or advocating for someone who might not be able to speak for themselves. Nurses help shape how people interact with the healthcare system, and the positive difference you make helps grant a sense of purpose.
2. Nurses Are in High Demand Nationwide
Healthcare needs continue to grow, and nurses are among the most prominent patient-facing healthcare professionals. Their ability to administer treatment, watch for changes in a patient’s condition, and intervene in emergency situations all underscore how important this role is for the healthcare system and public alike.
Healthcare industry factors like an aging nursing workforce, nurse educator shortages, and increased healthcare needs among a large demographic of aging people mean a greater need for new nurses to compensate. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that the number of nurses will grow 5% by 2034, meaning 166,100 more nurses than now will be working in the field by 2034. This growth signals nationwide demand for nurses, meaning these healthcare professionals can likely find work in most areas.
3. Opportunities for Career Advancement in Nursing
Nursing offers rich career advancement opportunities, as well as the ability to specialize, but you will most likely need to earn at least a BSN degree to take advantage of them. You can earn nurse licensure with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a nurse diploma, but these could limit your opportunities. A BSN is preferred or even required for many jobs, like becoming a nurse leader at a Magnet Hospital or earning an advanced degree in pursuit of an advanced practice role.
We offer admissions pathways for students with varying academic experience, from a previous non-nursing bachelor’s degree for our ABSN program to previous college credits for our Associate of Science in Health Sciences program transfer option.
You will graduate ready to take the NCLEX-RN, hopefully attain licensure, and pursue a practice area that aligns with your passion.
Discover how to pursue nursing leadership roles and advance your career.
4. Flexible Career Options and Work Settings
Few professions offer nursing’s variety of career settings. Regardless of whether you want a fast-paced or calmer environment, you can find work in practice settings that include:
- Acute care settings
- Ambulatory surgery centers
- Community clinics
- Home health settings
- Schools
- Telehealth practices
- Urgent care clinics
- Rehabilitation facilities
Nurses also might experience flexibility with their work schedules, and options like travel nursing are also available.
5. Competitive Salary and Benefits
Compensation varies by region, practice area and employer, but nursing offers a competitive salary and benefits nearly everywhere. The BLS reports the median annual pay for RNs at $93,600 as of May 2024. Benefits often include comprehensive insurance, retirement contributions, and continuing education support.
As you advance, earnings typically increase. Advanced practice roles like nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives carry higher median pay due to advanced training and a higher level of autonomy.
6. A Career That Adapts to Your Lifestyle
As a nurse, you can find a role that suits your lifestyle needs. If you want to see different parts of the country, travel nursing offers temporary contracts in hospitals in need of skilled staff. Pay rates have normalized since 2020, but this remains a viable option for nurses who value mobility and variety in their lives.
Nursing PRN (pro re nata) and per diem roles let you work on an “as needed” basis. Nurses choose shifts based on unit needs and their availability. Professional organizations describe per diem arrangements as more flexible than traditional set schedules, allowing nurses to scale up or down around school or family commitments.
Telehealth also expands lifestyle options. These roles let you provide care on a predictable schedule and can keep you engaged in patient care from nearly anywhere with an internet connection.
7. Lifelong Learning and Skill Development
Nursing is constantly evolving. New medications, devices, and treatments require ongoing learning, and most states require continuing education to maintain licensure. In Magnet-recognized organizations, professional development is structured into the culture and nurses receive many opportunities for advancement. Research has linked Magnet environments with improved nurse satisfaction and retention, as well as better patient outcomes.
Marian ABSN students are at the start of a nursing journey, and our supportive environment grounded in Franciscan values is designed to foster a lifelong love of learning.
During clinical rotations, Marian ABSN students will work in top healthcare facilities near our program sites in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Nashville, Tennessee. You can gain experience in practice areas including:
- Acute and long-term care
- Adult health
- Mental and behavioral health
- Obstetrics and pediatrics
See what it means to be a nurse, and how you can live out your values through a nursing career.
8. Strong Professional Community and Support System
Nurses are at the center of the patient care team, coordinating care between other professionals and communicating with those around them. This profession is collaborative by nature, with teamwork driven by a sense of community and support. Professional associations like the American Nurses Association provide resources like conferences, journals, mentoring networks, and certification prep that keep you current and connected.
Ready to Start Toward Your Nursing Future?
Why become a nurse? Nursing is a purpose-driven career path that offers strong demand, advancement opportunities, flexible scheduling options, and a supportive professional community. Whether you picture yourself in a clinical or non-clinical role, you can find opportunities to grow and succeed as a nurse.
Marian ABSN can help you reach your goals. Request more information by filling out our contact form today. A Marian ABSN admissions advisor will reach out to start the conversation and review your eligibility. Don’t wait to take the next step!