Nursing is a noble profession that offers the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others. As a nurse, you have the unique ability to provide care, comfort, and support to people during some of their most vulnerable moments. Nurses are known for their empathy, compassion, and deep commitment to helping others. If you are looking for a career that is both rewarding and challenging, and allows you to make a difference in your community, then nursing may be the perfect choice for you. In this blog, we explore the statement “why I want to be a nurse,” share personal stories from Rockhurst University’s ABSN and MSN graduates, and list the many reasons why becoming a nurse is an inspiring and fulfilling career path.

1. Helping Others
2. Diverse Opportunities
3. Positive Job Outlook
4. Flexibility
5. Multiple Education Options
6. Personal Growth
7. Community Impact

1. Helping Others

“My very favorite part of nursing is when I get to call a patient's family and tell them, ‘Hey, we fixed your family member today.’ Hearing the gratitude from patients and families in that part of their care has really been influential on me choosing this profession and wanting to further my education just so I can keep making people's lives better.” – Emily Berendzen, MSN-FNP graduate, Rockhurst University

Nursing is a profession that allows you to make a real difference in people's lives. Nurses are often the first point of contact for patients and can provide emotional support, patient education, and advocacy for their patients. They also work alongside other health care professionals, including doctors, to ensure patients receive the best possible care. The nursing profession is incredibly rewarding, as nurses witness the positive impact they have on patients’ lives, making it an ideal career for those seeking a vocation, not just a job.

2. Diverse Opportunities

“The best part of nursing is the diversity. There's always an option to do something else and help others. There's a wide range of options out there for us.” – Ashley Roberts, MSN-FNP graduate, Rockhurst University

Nursing is a diverse field that offers a multitude of specialties and career paths. With options such as pediatrics, emergency medicine, critical care and more, nurses can find an area of practice that aligns with their interests and passions. This allows them to pursue a rewarding and fulfilling career in the healthcare industry. The variety of specialties also ensures that there is a need for nurses in many areas, providing job security and opportunities for growth and advancement.

3. Positive Job Outlook

“There are different avenues that you could take with nursing...you could continue your education even after getting your bachelor's in nursing. I wanted to have room to grow and continue learning as I got older, so I thought this was a perfect thing for me.” - Alexus Dickmann-Dean, Hybrid ABSN graduate, Rockhurst University

In the United States, nursing is considered a highly in-demand profession. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for registered nurses is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the essential role of nurses in health care, further increasing the demand for nursing professionals. This positive outlook provides opportunities for individuals interested in pursuing a career in nursing to have long-term job security and stability.

4. Flexibility and Competitive Salary

“I like the flexibility. I like that you can do bedside or you can be a school nurse. You can work five days a week. You can work three days a week... You can do community nursing, bedside and school, and public health. There's just so many different opportunities and you can cater it to your wants and needs.” – Abbey Clark, ABSN student, Rockhurst University

Nurses often enjoy the flexibility of their job, including the ability to tailor their work week. This allows them to better balance their work and personal lives while also accommodating their individual preferences and needs. Additionally, the nursing profession offers a variety of work settings and specialties, providing nurses with opportunities to explore and grow in their careers.

In addition, nurses are well-compensated for their work. Nurses of different levels can earn competitive and favorable salaries based on their education, experience, and specialty. Registered nurses, for example, earn a median annual salary of $93,600, while nurse practitioners can earn over $129,210 per year. Additionally, nurses who specialize in areas such as critical care or oncology tend to earn higher salaries. With a growing demand for health care services, nurses are in high demand and can expect to receive competitive compensation packages that include benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

5. Multiple Education Options

“What was most appealing is that there was an online portion… and you could do [the ABSN program] from just about anywhere. We have people in the program from all over the place. So, that's what attracted me to it.” – Carly Tomlin, ABSN student, Rockhurst University

There are several educational pathways available for individuals interested in nursing career. These include associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctorate degree programs. Each pathway offers unique benefits and allows individuals to choose a program that best fits their career goals and lifestyle. The Hybrid Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is designed for those who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field and are ready to begin a career as a nurse. This full-time program prepares students to become skilled nurses in just 16 months. Our graduate nursing programs are designed for BSN-holders who are looking to advance as a nurse and enjoy greater flexibility, personal fulfillment, a higher salary, and increased opportunities to pursue a more traditional work schedule. Rockhurst University’s Hybrid ABSN program and online MSN programs also allow nursing students to complete 100% of their coursework online for the utmost convenience, with clinical experiences in their own region. Whether you’re interested in a shorter program that provides basic nursing skills or a more advanced program that offers additional opportunities for specialization, there is an educational pathway available for everyone.

6. Personal Growth

“I think once you can better yourself, you can better the people around you. You can create a workforce or a workplace for success and innovation and growth. To be able to work with people on a daily basis is becoming more and more rewarding as I get older - to be able to connect with people and help change their life and make it for the better.” - Austin Dye, MSN-AGACNP graduate, Rockhurst University

Nursing is a career that demands both personal and professional growth. Not only do nurses need to have a wealth of medical knowledge and technical skills, but they must also possess strong communication and leadership abilities. Nurses learn how to manage stress, communicate effectively, and make critical decisions in high-pressure situations. As they work closely with patients and their families, nurses are challenged to be empathetic, patient, and compassionate. The nursing field is constantly evolving, with new technologies and treatments emerging all the time. This means that nurses must be lifelong learners, committed to staying up-to-dateup to date with the latest advancements in their field. Overall, nursing is a challenging and rewarding career that pushes individuals to grow in multiple areas of their lives.

7. Community Impact

“As I was going through school, I worked as a CNA, and I just saw everything the nurses were doing, and I was just so amazed. I kind of wanted to be like them when I grew up. Nursing chose me. You want to be able to acquire the knowledge and apply it so that you can help others. That's one of the reasons why I'm here, because I want to be inspirational. I want to help others, but I want to make sure that I'm doing it the correct way.” – Alison Cantualla, MSN-AGACNP graduate, Rockhurst University

Nurses play a vital role in improving the health and well-being of their communities. By providing compassionate care, educating patients and families, and advocating for public health initiatives, nurses can make a significant impact on the health outcomes of the people they serve. Whether working in hospitals, clinics, schools, or community settings, nurses have the opportunity to promote healthy behaviors, prevent illness, and improve access to quality health care. Through their dedication and expertise, nurses can help to create healthier, happier communities for all.

Change Lives as a Nurse or Nurse Practitioner

There are many reasons to become a nurse in the United States. From job stability to personal growth, nursing offers a variety of benefits that make for a rewarding and fulfilling career path. As a nurse, your contribution to health care will be significant. The American Nursing Association (ANA) has been advocating for a month-long celebration for the past three years to provide more opportunities to recognize and appreciate the valuable work of nurses. As a nurse, you can make an impact by shaping health policy decisions that guarantee quality and affordable health care for all. This year’s Nurses Month theme, "You Make a Difference," acknowledges the various roles nurses play and the positive influence they have on people's lives.

Celebrate Nurses Month and learn more about how you can make a difference and become a nurse through Rockhurst University’s Online Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Programs.