Whether you are a young woman looking for the right career to embark upon, or you have been in your current career for some time and are looking for a change, you should definitely consider the nursing industry. However, it can sometimes be difficult to know which career options are the best for you, and as an aspiring female, it is important that you have plenty of information about an industry before you embark upon a career in it.
While nursing has long been considered a female-only profession which was offered to those women who wanted to become doctors but were stopped due to gender inequalities, the world of nursing has transformed in the last few decades. Not only can men now become nurses, but the responsibilities of nurses have increased tenfold, meaning they are not that far behind the role of a doctor.
So, whether you are already a registered nurse and are looking for the next step in your career or you are just starting out in nursing, here are seven reasons why family nurse practitioner could be the perfect career choice.
Earning Potential
While many people consider the nursing profession to be a calling instead of a choice of job, it is still a form of employment and the salary you earn is essential to your survival. Therefore, it is important to know that the career you are considering offers a good salary, as well as the potential for you to earn more money in the future.
As a family nurse practitioner, you can expect to enjoy a significantly higher salary than you would as a Registered Nurse. Here is some research from the Department of Labor, which has looked into nursing salary averages:
· Registered Nurse- $66,000 a year
· Family Nurse Practitioner- $97,000 a year.
It is fair to say that $30,000 difference a year is a considerable amount of money that you and your family could benefit from.
Career Opportunities
Taking on a career as a Family Nurse Practitioner shows the dedication that you have towards your career and that you are an aspirational and dedicated individual. These are the sort of qualities that will not only make you successful, but they will also highlight you to others, for example, potential employers.
Once you have completed the necessary training and education that is required in order to become a Family Nurse Practitioner, many more doors will open in your career.
Job Stability
With the current economic climate that has seen the consequences of fiscal restraint on public spending budgets, it is more important than ever before to ensure that you have some level of job stability and security before embarking upon your chosen career.
While it can sometimes be difficult to predict what industry will look like in twenty years' time, nursing has been a prevalent role in society for hundreds of years. Therefore, as long as you hold the necessary, well-valued qualifications and have the experience, there is no reason why your role in nursing should become unstable in the future.
Personal Growth
Being any kind of nurse is by no means an easy job and it takes a special kind of individual to be able to spend all day caring for others. Therefore, if you are a kind and caring individual who is passionate about helping others, then becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner is an ideal career. This is because not only will you get the opportunity to grow your:
· Knowledge
· Skills
· Professional network
· Experience
But you will also earn that sense of accomplishment that many aspiring females aim for. While professional development is essential in today’s employment market, it is also important that you are proud of your own achievements and enjoy your success.
Various Learning Opportunities
As a female who wants to do well in their career, you are likely to be faced with many stumbling blocks along the way. This may include being faced with gender inequalities in an industry which is male-favored or struggling to find the time to learn the skills that you need in order to qualify as a nurse.
Becoming a nurse is not something that happens overnight and there are many different levels of qualifications that you need to do well, in order to achieve the career you are aspiring towards. However, there are many different learning platforms that are available that allow you to learn alongside your other professional and personal commitments.
For example, you can enroll in an RN to NP online course, which will provide you with the opportunity to:
· Learn the skills and knowledge you need in order to successfully become a Family Nurse Practitioner.
· Complete the course 100 percent online.
· Incorporate clinicals into your learning.
· Gain a degree credited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
· Enjoy the independent study offered by an RN to NP online, but with personalized support available when needed.
Compatible with Family Life
Being a female who wants to do well and succeed in her career means having to consider many others in her life, such as family members. As a Family Nurse Practitioner, you can make the most of the flexible working hours that can make looking after any children you have compatible with your working life.
Variety of Practice Settings
When you are a qualified Family Nurse Practitioner there is a range of different medical professional environments that you can find yourself working in. While many people make the mistake of thinking that they will only work within a hospital as a nurse, there are many other environments where you could find yourself working. Here are just a few of the most common settings:
· Urgent Care Clinics
· Primary Care Clinics
· Nursing Homes
· Hospitals
· Long-term Care
· Medical Spas
If you are a woman who is looking for a caring profession in which you can take your role to the next level, it’s well worth considering becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner.