With so many career
paths available, it can be quite difficult to choose just one, finding a career
that you’ll be happy in for the entirety of your working years. These working
years could be several decades, so it is a question worth taking the time to
mull over.
One sector that is
experiencing rather large and fast growth is that of healthcare. The COVID-19
pandemic has put a strain on the healthcare system, but even outside of the
pandemic the baby boomer population is aging, which means many are retiring and
requiring various levels of care both in the present and future. Eyeing a
career in healthcare could be an excellent option for the right candidates.
Here we’ll highlight
the profession of a nurse practitioner, which plays an important role in the
healthcare system, and the two great reasons to pursue this path.
A Field That Is Growing by Huge
Amounts
While it is great to
hear that the field you are pursuing has jobs, it’s entirely different to hear
it is growing at a much faster rate than the national average (overall jobs).
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
(BLS) groups nurse
practitioners with nurse-midwives and nurse anesthetists and has this category
growing by a jaw-dropping 45% by 2029.
What’s the reason
behind this massive growth? Much of it can be attributed to the aging baby
boomers, but also the fact that the mindset is changing. People are not looking
at their healthcare as a reactionary measure, rather, they want to take
preventative steps. Nurse practitioners can certainly play a role in this
aspect of healthcare.
Command an Impressive Salary
Of course, you don’t
want to pick a career based on salary alone, as there is a lot more that goes
into job satisfaction, but knowing you can live a comfortable lifestyle is a
pro. The BLS has listed the average
salary of nurse practitioners as $111,682 in 2020. For many, this would seem
like a very reasonable and comfortable salary.
Keep in mind the
salary will differ depending on where in the country you work, as well as the
industry. Some of the top-paying states include California, Alaska,
Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York. Typically, hospitals (local, state,
and private) and outpatient care centers pay the highest wages.
So, why can you earn
such a high salary as a nurse practitioner? Much of it goes back to your
training. Nurse practitioners are highly-trained, have advanced clinical
knowledge, and hold degrees and proper licenses and certifications. They invest
a lot of time and effort into becoming a nurse practitioner and their salary is
a reflection of the level of knowledge and care they can provide.
It should also be
noted that the salary isn’t stagnant, and it has grown by around 20% just from
2012-2018. As this job continues to be in demand, watch for the salary to
continue to grow.
Other Healthcare Jobs Don’t Stack Up
in Terms of Salary
And still, on the topic of salary, it may be of interest to learn that a nurse practitioner is among one of the highest healthcare worker salaries like those in a private family planning clinic. A family/general practitioner or a nurse anesthetist will pay higher, but the majority of other healthcare worker jobs come in below nurse practitioner. The average yearly salary of a nurse practitioner is over $35,000 per year higher than that of a registered nurse.
The family nurse practitioner salary is
something Texas Woman’s University discusses in-depth, as it’s a huge draw in pursuing this career path.
Every Day is Fresh and New
If you’re the type
that grows tired of routine and doesn’t like the idea of the same thing day in
and day out, then a nurse practitioner career can appeal to you. Each day will
be fresh and new, working with different patients and different health
issues/concerns. This is far from a desk job and will keep you incredibly
active and on your toes at all times.
With that said, it can
appeal to those who have excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills. You
will be juggling a variety of patient files at any given time, so you need to
be able to stay organized and focused.
You Can Work in a Variety of Settings
It’s also important to
note that nurse practitioners don’t just work in one setting, they can work in
a variety of settings. This helps to give you more choice and means you can
look forward to movement in your career.
As mentioned above,
some of the most common workplace settings are hospitals, private practice, and
outpatient clinics. Some other areas you’ll find nurse practitioners include
community health care centers, urgent care, and inpatient hospital departments.
You may choose to start your career in one area and then by the time you finish
your career you may be in a different facility.
Hours Vary Depending on Work Setting
In terms of how many
hours you’ll be working, nurse practitioners can easily find full-time work but
it may not necessarily be Monday to Friday 9 am-5 pm. Shift work is common for
those who work in an emergency room setting, or even in the hospital. While
some don’t like the idea of shift work, others prefer it as it works best for
their lifestyle and personal life schedule. At least you’ve got that
flexibility should you choose to use it.
Want to Be Your Own Boss – Open a
Private Clinic
If you’ve always had
dreams of being your own boss and being in control of your career destiny, then
you may also appreciate the opportunity to open a private clinic. You don’t
have to work in a hospital or community health center, you can open a practice
and grow your list of patients.
Before opening a
private practice, it can be wise to look at the options available to residents
in the area you wish to work. Is there are shortage of healthcare
professionals? Is there a need for a nurse practitioner’s office? Is the area
already over-saturated? This can help you to figure out where your practice
would best be suited and would have the most impact.
Choose Your Mode of Schooling
If you’re worried
about the schooling it takes to become a nurse practitioner, the good news is
that there are many flexible options nowadays. Not only are there different
paths, but there are also in-person or online programs so you can choose what
fits with your lifestyle, schedule, timeline, and budget.
You Are Ready for a Challenge
Then there is the
simple reason that you may be ready for a challenge. Perhaps you are in a
career that seemed like it would be ideal for you but just isn’t giving you the
kind of satisfaction and fulfillment you had hoped for. This is an opportunity
to challenge yourself, aim for something better, and pursue your dream career.
You’ll Get to Work with Some
Exceptional People
Part of what makes a
job exciting, fulfilling, and satisfying is the people you work with. The
healthcare industry is filled with those who are compassionate, want to help
others, are highly educated and skilled, and have a level of drive and
motivation that isn’t present in all industries. In other words, you’ll get to
work with some exceptional people.
You Are Helping Others and Providing
a Positive Impact
Perhaps the best
reason to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner is what it can give you back
in terms of job fulfillment. This is a career where you will help others every
day. You will be helping them to work through difficult health situations,
easing concerns, helping them to understand a diagnosis and treatment, and
having a positive impact on the lives of many. And it’s not just adults, nurse
practitioners may also be working with kids, giving you a very well-rounded
career option.
You Can Choose a Specialty Area
You may also wish to
specialize in specific issues or areas, allowing you to carve out a niche for
yourself. Some of these areas can include:
- Family medicine
- Adult gerontology primary care
- Adult gerontology acute care
- Acute care
- Gerontology
- Cardiac medicine
- Oncology
- Nurse midwife
- Pediatrics
- Pediatric acute care
- Neonatal medicine
- Orthopedics
- Women’s health
- Psychiatry and mental health
Some of these areas of
specialty may appeal to you more than others, and they can offer variety in
your career, allowing you to start on one path and then switch later down the
road.
It Could be the Perfect Path for You
Life as a nurse
practitioner won’t always be easy. It is often filled with long hours, plenty
of stress, a lot of time on your feet, and it can be quite emotional. Having
said that, it is also the kind of career where you can have an impact on people
every day, challenging yourself in all the best ways possible. It’s a blend of
skills, knowledge, compassion, and care and if this sounds like something that
appeals to you – then it’s well worth looking into.