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By Dr. Kristen Richmond

Are you interested in healthcare and want to see the impact of your career firsthand? Then you might consider nursing. 

As someone with a long history in nursing, I know what it’s like to feel called to care for others. If this field also interests you, explore the 10 reasons why you should major in nursing and discover the benefits of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Make a Real Difference in People’s Lives

Patients come to the hospital in various states of need and distress. As nurses, we have the privilege of using our skills, combined with compassion, to provide the best care, education, and a safe environment. We advocate for our patients’ needs during difficult and vulnerable moments in their lives, and we can personally view the impact we have on people’s lives through their healthcare journey. 

Job Stability and High Demand

When you major in nursing, you can have confidence that job opportunities will be available to you. The nursing profession continues to be in high demand as the general population continues to age, requiring more hospitalization, home health, and chronic disease management. As the older nursing population retires, they leave bedside roles and open more positions for new nurses. Nursing careers remain stable as they adapt to technological advances while remaining a human-centered job. This career is difficult to replicate by automation and is required in every community. 

Diverse Career Opportunities

If you’ve been wondering, “What does a nurse do?”, the answers are endless. If you’re passionate about helping others, traveling, and health education, then you could become a missionary nurse or a cruise ship nurse. If you’re looking to make an impact locally, then working as a hospital nurse or public health nurse might be the right job for you. If you’re curious about other careers, read What Can I Do with a Nursing Degree? to see the variety of careers and certifications you can pursue with a BSN.

Competitive Salary and Benefits

As a nursing major, you are needed and wanted. Nurses are in high demand, and that has pushed facilities to increase salaries and remain competitive. There are many other benefits that may be included, such as retirement matching, health insurance, shift differentials, tuition support, and paid time off, which add to the overall package. 

Flexibility in Work Schedules

Nurses are needed in a variety of settings, sometimes on a 24/7 basis. Nursing can be full-time, part-time, or as needed at a particular location. It is a career that can be tailored to your individual needs and situation, including the option to work only weekends, night shifts, or office hours.

Personal Fulfillment and Purpose

When you major in nursing, you are preparing for a meaningful career. When I found the area where God called me to serve and began to connect with patients, it was an indescribable feeling of belonging and purpose. Just as any other career, nursing has its hard days and difficulties, but nursing also has great days that remind you of your passion for helping others and making a difference in the lives of your patients. 

Lifelong Learning and Growth

Nursing is a field based on evidence-based research, and it continues to evolve as new techniques, medications, and treatments are discovered. Nurses must stay up-to-date to provide the best patient care. Continuing education is also available to assist a nurse in advancing his or her career into leadership, an education role, clinical expertise, or advanced practice.

Global and Local Impact

Nurses have transferable skills to help people anywhere in the world, and I believe that Christian nurses are the hands and feet of Jesus. At ���Ĵ�ý, our goal is for students to serve like Jesus — with unconditional love and patience, using their God-given talents wherever they end up working. 

Strong Professional Community

Nurses have a common goal of providing the best care for patients, and that is fostered by professional organizations, groups, peer support, nursing schools, and continuing education conferences. All these options offer opportunities for nurses to connect with and support each other in our profession.

Opportunities for Advancement

When you major in nursing, you will have many opportunities for advancement in your career, including the roles of manager, charge nurse, preceptor, committee leader, quality improvement specialist, or hospital educator. A nurse can also advance in his or her own education by getting a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing. When a nurse becomes an expert in their field, there are many opportunities to put that knowledge and experience to use and continue to grow.

Should I Major in Nursing?

If you are considering a career in nursing, I highly recommend this vocation. I can personally testify that being a nurse gives you purpose, competitive benefits, and the ability to spread the love of Christ through your work in a transformational way. 

You belong in nursing. At ���Ĵ�ý, we prepare our students to lead impactful lives through our BSN program. To find more information, read What Can I Do With a Nursing Degree? or How to Prepare for Nursing School and explore your calling today.