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Consider one of the following online programs currently taking applications now:
School Level Program Admissions
Ohio University Master MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Website
Seton Hall University Master MSN: Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Website
Georgetown University Master Online Master's in Nursing Website
George Mason University Master MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner Website
Sacred Heart University Master RN to BSN to Master of Science in Nursing Website
Campbellsville University Bachelor RN to BSN Website
Campbellsville University Master Online MSN with FNP Track Website
Sacred Heart University Bachelor RN-BSN - RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Website
Sacred Heart University Master MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader Website

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There are pro's and con's to any job, and nursing is no exception. Read about some of the reasoning behind one RN's decision to become a nurse.

School Level Program Admissions
Campbellsville University Bachelor RN to BSN Website
Campbellsville University Master Online MSN with FNP Track Website
Sacred Heart University Bachelor RN-BSN - RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Website
Sacred Heart University Master MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader Website
Sacred Heart University Master MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner Website
Sacred Heart University Master MSN - Nursing Education Website
Sacred Heart University Master RN-BSN-MSN - Clinical Nursing Leader Website
Sacred Heart University Master RN-BSN-MSN - Nursing Education Website
Sacred Heart University Master RN-BSN-MSN - Nursing Management & Executive Leadership Website

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My decision to become a nurse was admittedly not based on an extensive exploration of the associated pros and cons of a career in nursing.  In fact, I was originally accepted into my alma mater’s College of Engineering. 

But for an eleventh hour episode of doubt that forced me to reassess my goals and strengths, I would not be a nurse today.  I was simply drawn to nursing for reasons I did not completely understand.  Eighteen years later, I thankfully don’t regret my decision to go to nursing school.  I’m also better able to articulate some of the reasons why.

Still Looking for a Nursing Program?

Here are some of the most popular nursing programs. On each page you will find a detailed writeup of the program, specific courses, and even schools that offer that program that are currently accepting applicants.

Following is a list of what I consider to be the top ten advantages of being a nurse, in no particular order:

1. Job Security

Despite being laid off from an inpatient staff nursing position once in the late 1990’s, I have always had options for employment.  Even during the recession, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an increase in health care jobs.  By 2018, more than 580,000 nursing positions will be created.  Nurses are in high demand, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.

2. Flexibility

The nature of nursing care is that it is needed all the time, and everywhere.  As a result, you can opt to work full time, part time or per diem on day, evening or night shifts.  You can work in rural or urban settings, inpatient, outpatient, in a home setting, in a school, in a law office, in a research setting—the prospects are endless.

3. Options

As an RN, I have worked as an inpatient nurse, an outpatient nurse, in a law office, for a medical device company, and have even been self employed.  Very few professions offer the plethora of career choices that nursing offers.  In addition to the various specialties you can choose from, nurses fulfill a variety of roles within each specialty.  Experienced nurses are in high demand in many non-traditional settings as well.  In nursing, it’s possible to explore other options without jeopardizing your career progression.

4. Opportunity to Make a Meaningful Contribution

It may sound trite, but it’s true:  nurses routinely make meaningful contributions to the lives of patients and their families.  The work you do on a daily basis, though frequently stressful and repeatedly frustrating, has a real and tangible impact.  I still have the first card a patient’s wife wrote to me thanking me for caring for her dying husband.  It reminds me that the work we do is important.

5. Lifelong Learning

The science of nursing is always advancing, and a successful nursing career requires a commitment to learning and openness to change. Attending conferences, joining specialty organizations, reading journals, attending graduate school keeps me interested in and inspired by nursing. 

6. Variability

In the years I worked in oncology nursing, I never encountered the same patient or the identical situation twice. You can count on the unexpected and the unpredictable, which I think tends to keep things interesting.

7. Competitive salary

Nursing offers a competitive salary and, in many cases, potential for overtime.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean national nursing salary is $67,720, but the range is highly variable depending on location, educational level and role.  For example, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners reports the average salary of a nurse practitioner is $89,450.

8. Portability

Nursing is a career that you can take with you wherever you go.  Once you have a registered nurse license in one state, you can apply for reciprocity in another state.  (Each State Board of Nursing has different requirements, so check with them for specifics.)

9. Challenge

Over the years, nursing has challenged me intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, and at times even physically—and although the challenges aren’t always without frustration, they do have way of keeping me engaged and motivated.

10. Trusted

Since 1999, nurses have been ranked as the most trusted profession in the United States every year except 2001.  (That year, fire fighters were ranked first.)  To me, that speaks to the relationships we have and the value we bring to our patients.

Still Looking for a Nursing Program?

Here are some of the most popular nursing programs. On each page you will find a detailed writeup of the program, specific courses, and even schools that offer that program that are currently accepting applicants.
Consider one of the following online programs currently taking applications now:
School Level Program Admissions
Ohio University Master MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Website
Seton Hall University Master MSN: Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Website
Georgetown University Master Online Master's in Nursing Website
George Mason University Master MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner Website
Sacred Heart University Master RN to BSN to Master of Science in Nursing Website
Campbellsville University Bachelor RN to BSN Website
Campbellsville University Master Online MSN with FNP Track Website
Sacred Heart University Bachelor RN-BSN - RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Website
Sacred Heart University Master MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader Website

View more online featured programs:

School Level Program Admissions
Campbellsville University Bachelor RN to BSN Website
Campbellsville University Master Online MSN with FNP Track Website
Sacred Heart University Bachelor RN-BSN - RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Website
Sacred Heart University Master MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader Website
Sacred Heart University Master MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner Website
Sacred Heart University Master MSN - Nursing Education Website
Sacred Heart University Master RN-BSN-MSN - Clinical Nursing Leader Website
Sacred Heart University Master RN-BSN-MSN - Nursing Education Website
Sacred Heart University Master RN-BSN-MSN - Nursing Management & Executive Leadership Website

View more online featured programs:


My Facebook News Feed is flooded with inspiring quotes in honor of the visionary Steve Jobs, who died much too young yesterday.  This one is my favorite.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”  Steve Jobs

Although impressed by a number of his accomplishments, what inspires me most is his belief in our ability to shape our lives, to dream our future into reality,
and to trust our intuition.  Each of us will not necessarily impact the world in the dramatic fashion that Steve Jobs did, but if we do everything we can to live our best life, to be who we want to be, and to do what we want to do, we increase our likelihood of being successful, fulfilled, and of making lasting difference.

There is inspiration all around us:

A friend of mine worked for years at brokerage firms knowing she wanted to be a nurse. 
September 11, 2001 finally prompted her to apply to nursing school and start doing what she knew she was intended to do.  I admire her decision and the sacrifice it required.

Another friend is finally starting nursing school after years of working toward completing her prerequisites while simultaneously caring for triplets and moving around the world every few years as her husband’s military career demanded.  I am in awe of her persistence and patience.

A former graduate school classmate has returned to school to obtain her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing.  She juggles a demanding academic program with two small children and a part-time job.  I respect her determination and ability to balance her personal and professional life.

Are you thinking about going back to school? Are you thinking about becoming a nurse?  How hard are you willing to work for it?  What is holding you back?

Your time is limited.

Still Looking for a Nursing Program?

Here are some of the most popular nursing programs. On each page you will find a detailed writeup of the program, specific courses, and even schools that offer that program that are currently accepting applicants.
Consider one of the following online programs currently taking applications now:
School Level Program Admissions
Ohio University Master MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Website
Seton Hall University Master MSN: Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Website
Georgetown University Master Online Master's in Nursing Website
George Mason University Master MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner Website
Sacred Heart University Master RN to BSN to Master of Science in Nursing Website
Campbellsville University Bachelor RN to BSN Website
Campbellsville University Master Online MSN with FNP Track Website
Sacred Heart University Bachelor RN-BSN - RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Website
Sacred Heart University Master MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader Website

View more online featured programs:

School Level Program Admissions
Campbellsville University Bachelor RN to BSN Website
Campbellsville University Master Online MSN with FNP Track Website
Sacred Heart University Bachelor RN-BSN - RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Website
Sacred Heart University Master MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader Website
Sacred Heart University Master MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner Website
Sacred Heart University Master MSN - Nursing Education Website
Sacred Heart University Master RN-BSN-MSN - Clinical Nursing Leader Website
Sacred Heart University Master RN-BSN-MSN - Nursing Education Website
Sacred Heart University Master RN-BSN-MSN - Nursing Management & Executive Leadership Website

View more online featured programs:


I was a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force Nurse Corps when I began working on a medical oncology floor.  Still a novice, I had moments of feeling overwhelmed by my responsibilities, but I was  proud of my progress, enthusiastic about learning, and constantly seeking out ways to improve my practice.

During one particularly busy shift, I suspected one of my patients developed an acute upper gastrointestinal bleed.   After completing my assessment, I called the physician to report my findings and suspicions.

People with upper GI bleeds may have black, tarry stools; bloody emesis; alterations in their vital signs; and cool, clammy, pale skin.  They typically require intravenous fluid and insertion of a tube through the nose and into the stomach.  In this case, the patient required lavage, or irrigattion of the contents of the stomach; the administration of blood products; preparation for an upper GI endoscopy; and transfer to the Medical Intensive Care Unit for closer observation.

Working calmly, but hurriedly, I inserted the nasogastric tube and began lavage while another nurse prepared to start a second intravenous line on the patient.   I explained to the patient what we were doing and attempted to reassure him as best I could.  Together with the physician, we were ultimately able to stabilize the patient and transfer him to the ICU.

Once the crisis had passed, I quickly rounded on my other patients and sat down to catch up on my charting.  Standing at the other side of the nurses’ station, the physician said, “You know, you really should have gone to medical school.”

Initially, I took this as a compliment.  I respected this physician, and reasoned that he must think I’m smart if he thinks I should have gone to medical school, right?  It was only later, as I became more confident in my role as a nurse, and developed a more sophisticated understanding about the difference between nursing and medicine, that I wished I had questioned him on his choice of words.

Today, I would not be complimented by the implication that being smart and competent are not essential attributes for nursing practice.  If I could replay that scene, I would take the opportunity to explain to the physician that my actions during the management of our patient were not extraordinary,   but typical of ordinary, qualified nurses. I would politely point out that without skilled and knowledgeable nurses at the bedside, our patient’s outcome could have been dramatically different.

I would make clear that, despite shared characteristics, nursing is a unique and distinct discipline from medicine—one that respects and works in concert with other health care professionals—but that offers a unique perspective to patient care.  I would explain that I was interested in focusing on the human response to illness, on spending time with patients and advocating for them, and helping them achieve the best possible state of health or a peaceful death. I didn’t want to be acknowledged for my potential as a medical student; I wanted to be acknowledged for my capabilities and value as a nurse.

Still Looking for a Nursing Program?

Here are some of the most popular nursing programs. On each page you will find a detailed writeup of the program, specific courses, and even schools that offer that program that are currently accepting applicants.
Consider one of the following online programs currently taking applications now:
School Level Program Admissions
Ohio University Master MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Website
Seton Hall University Master MSN: Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Website
Georgetown University Master Online Master's in Nursing Website
George Mason University Master MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner Website
Sacred Heart University Master RN to BSN to Master of Science in Nursing Website
Campbellsville University Bachelor RN to BSN Website
Campbellsville University Master Online MSN with FNP Track Website
Sacred Heart University Bachelor RN-BSN - RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Website
Sacred Heart University Master MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader Website

View more online featured programs:

School Level Program Admissions
Campbellsville University Bachelor RN to BSN Website
Campbellsville University Master Online MSN with FNP Track Website
Sacred Heart University Bachelor RN-BSN - RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Website
Sacred Heart University Master MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader Website
Sacred Heart University Master MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner Website
Sacred Heart University Master MSN - Nursing Education Website
Sacred Heart University Master RN-BSN-MSN - Clinical Nursing Leader Website
Sacred Heart University Master RN-BSN-MSN - Nursing Education Website
Sacred Heart University Master RN-BSN-MSN - Nursing Management & Executive Leadership Website

View more online featured programs:


Although flexibility is an often touted advantage of being nurse in an acute care setting, the around-the-clock nature of patient care demands around-the-clock coverage.  Your scheduling preferences may vary widely depending on your particular situation.  I loathed evening shifts (3 pm to 11 pm) in my 20s because of the impact it had on my social life, whereas a former colleague favored them because she was able to surf every day, weather permitting, before coming to work.

Your scheduling preferences also may be dynamic, changing based on changing life circumstances.  To avoid the need for outside childcare, a nurse I once worked with opted to work twelve hour weekend shifts once she had children, another worked 11pm-7am night shifts, whereas I opted to work part time and–later–per diem.

A recent article in Nursing Economics* suggests that one of the predictors to a registered nurse remaining in nursing is scheduling. In their survey, researchers asked over 8000 nurses to quantify the weekly number of hours they were hired to work, the number of hours they actually work, the number of hours they would ideally like to work, and the number of hours they work providing direct care to patients.  They compared this data to the nurses’ plans to continue working as nurses.   Not surprisingly, the researchers found that when the schedules and hours were in harmony with the nurses’ expectations, retention of the nurses was more likely.

This didn’t strike me as unusual—scheduling logically influences job satisfaction and quality of life.  What I had not considered was the tangible ways in which we, as nurses or future nurses, can do to enhance our job satisfaction so that we remain in nursing.   The researchers identified specific strategies nurse managers, individual nurses, and nurse

educators can employ to improve job satisfaction relative to scheduling:

Management should find ways to meet nurses’ requests for schedule changes whenever possible.

Many hospitals now offer flexible or alternative scheduling for their nurses, including offering shifts that range from four to twelve hours, having the option to stagger shift start times, allowing nurses to self-schedule, and having access to additional staffing through hospital float pools or outside staffing agencies.

Nurses should clearly understand the expectations the employer has regarding scheduling.

Prior to accepting a position, we have a responsibility to ask questions to ensure we understand what our obligations are.  We need to have ongoing conversations with our managers to ensure that our expectations are reasonable and to facilitate a process for requesting changes.

When I was hired to work the aforementioned evening shifts, it was explicitly stated and written into the job offer that I would be switched to twelve hour rotating shifts as soon as such a position became available.  Although there was no guarantee
as to how long this might take, my manager kept me informed as to the anticipated timeline, and my request was granted within a few months.

Nurse educators can be instrumental in developing student nurses who have a realistic expectation about scheduling.

Nursing education must include exposure to the rigors of the shift work involved in staff nursing, not only by discussing the issues, but when possible by facilitating clinical rotations on off-shifts and weekends.   The more realistic the students’ expectations are, the more likely their transition to nursing will be.

*Kirschling, J.M., Colgan, C., & Andrews, B.  (2011).  Predictors of registered nurses’ willingness to remain in nursing.  Nursing Economics, 29:3, 111-117.

Still Looking for a Nursing Program?

Here are some of the most popular nursing programs. On each page you will find a detailed writeup of the program, specific courses, and even schools that offer that program that are currently accepting applicants.