For many people, becoming a nurse practitioner is a calling, not just a career. Compassion, empathy and a warm bedside manner are just some of the traits required to make a good nurse. This highly rewarding yet often challenging role offers many benefits for those that enter the field and given the high demand for nursing jobs this is one profession that shows little sign of slowing down.
Nursing has long been one of the most important roles in healthcare and according to statistics reported by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), Registered Nursing is one of the top occupations which is expected to grow from 3 million in 2019 to 3.3 million in 2029.
If you would like to enhance your nursing career while continuing to work and making a difference in the healthcare profession, it is now possible to study for DNP FNP programs online.
Here Are Some Of The Benefits Of Becoming A Nurse Practitioner
Job Satisfaction
Nursing is one of the few jobs that offer a direct path for someone to feel that their work has value and is making a positive difference in peoples’ lives. Helping patients recover from life-threatening illnesses and injuries can be very fulfilling and rewarding as a career choice, as well as being highly appreciated by patients, their friends and family, and the medical community as a whole.
In-Demand Field
There is no shortage of work for those looking to enter nursing. On the contrary, the U.S. is experiencing a critical nursing shortage that is expected to continue through 2030 further evidencing the necessity for this role. Due to the scarcity of qualified professionals in this field, nursing practitioners continue to be in high demand making this a highly stable career path.
Opportunities For Specialization
Similar to doctors who can specialize in a variety of medical fields such as oncology or pediatrics, a nurse practitioner can also choose to specialize in a particular field. Along with having the ability to work in a practice area of your choice, this also opens up the prospect of deepening your expertise in a specific area as well as contributing to medical projects and research within that specialization.
For example, if you enjoy working with the elderly you can offer your services to nursing care or if you prefer to work with newborns the option to become a neonatal nurse practitioner is available. There are plenty of other specialties to choose from including the following:
- Family
- Acute care
- Adult
- Gerontological
- Oncology
- Pediatric
- Psychiatric and mental health
- Women’s health
Patient Advocate
By helping patients and their loved ones to understand a medical diagnosis as well as discuss their treatment options with them you are also acting as a patient advocate. Doctors are often too busy and lack the bedside manner to explain complex terminology or answer the questions or concerns their patients may have. These matters are often tended to by nurse practitioners, thereby offering patients and their families a more holistic type of health care.
With the information set out in this article, you can now make an informed choice as to join or progress within this field of health care.
