If you’re like thousands of other aspiring professionals in the country, you’ve probably toyed with the idea of becoming a registered nurse. From incredible job security to a solid salary to career growth potential, it can be an immensely attractive role to pursue.
However, while there are undoubtedly numerous significant benefits to stepping into the role of a registered nurse, there are also some obstacles that can come with the career. Understanding some key difficulties you may face on your nursing path can help you decide if the role is for you and, if so, better prepare you for the path to nursing success.
Here is unveiling the challenges to becoming a registered nurse.
Facing the High Possibility of Experiencing Burnout
As has been noted, there are a wide variety of impressive benefits to becoming a nurse. However, some substantial challenges that come with the role may be a bit more significant than you may have previously thought.
One of the most considerable challenges that can come with nursing roles is burnout. Burnout is characterized by feelings of chronic stress, hopelessness, and sometimes even depression. Often, it is a byproduct of being overworked and not getting enough consistent rest and respite.
As you can likely imagine, it can be extremely difficult to continue engaging in a job role that sometimes leaves you feeling a mixture of these emotions.
Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is that nursing can be a role that requires you to deal with an inordinate amount of stress on a daily basis. This being the case, it’s important to be truthful with yourself about your propensity for handling stress before becoming a registered nurse or pursuing a BSN.
However, despite a high chance of feeling burnout and significant amounts of stress throughout your nursing career, there are ways to combat these feelings. Some powerful tactics for mitigating burnout and decreasing stress include:
- Consistently practicing meditation
- Engaging in regular breaks throughout your working day
- Talking through your problems with others
- Notifying superiors of significant work-related stressors
By becoming adept at these techniques, you have a chance to avoid some of the pain and discomfort that comes with nursing-related burnout and thrive in the role.
Consistently Being Overworked
Medical facilities across the country — both poorly funded and well-funded ones alike — are consistently understaffed due to worker shortages. This means that a variety of medical professionals, especially nurses, are constantly being expected to pick up the slack and perform more work than they really should.
Given that this will likely be the case at some of the facilities you end up working in as a nurse, it’s important to be aware of this key challenge before beginning your career in the healthcare field. This way, you won’t be blindsided by the current state of affairs in medical facilities and, as a result, will be more capable of overcoming this obstacle.
While many people see this disheartening fact of understaffed facilities as an insurmountable challenge, other individuals thrive in these high-pressure situations. As such, if you find that you’re someone who consistently rises to the occasion and enjoys a challenge, you may find that you’re well-suited to the intense nature of nursing in today’s modern age.
Battling Safety Risks Every Working Day
Though there are many regulations in healthcare facilities intended to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals and patients alike, these can’t always prevent problems. In fact, safety will be a huge risk for you as a nurse for a variety of reasons.
One significant safety risk you’re likely to face as a registered nurse is back issues. From helping patients walk to lifting patients on and off of beds, there’s no shortage of nursing-related practices that could result in back injuries — sometimes even chronic ones.
Another substantial risk you’ll face as a nurse is that of contracting contagious illnesses from patients. As a result, you could experience more illnesses in the role of a nurse than you would in other professional job roles with similar incomes.
However, it’s important to note that there are ways to make your career as a nurse safer and less risky. This will include practices such as stringently following safety protocols and being extra cautious in dangerous situations.
Benefits of Stepping Into a Nursing Role
While challenges undoubtedly exist for nurses and it’s important to be aware of them, it’s also important to be aware of the job role’s benefits. Some of the greatest benefits that can come with the registered nurse position include:
Room for career growth: Whether you want to become an FNP or an AGACNP, becoming a registered nurse can help you get there. This ability to grow into an advanced role is one of the main reasons many pursue a nursing career in the first place.
Job security: As has been noted, there is currently a significant nursing shortage that is affecting facilities across the country. However, while this is a disheartening fact for the healthcare landscape, it means that nursing is one of the most secure and in-demand job roles you can pursue today.
Opportunities to improve lives: As a nurse, you’ll have countless opportunities to improve the lives of others each and every day. This being the case, many find this career extremely fulfilling and meaningful due to the opportunities it creates to help others.
Nursing is a Challenging But Fulfilling Career
The nursing field is one that is no stranger to difficulties. From high rates of burnout to significant work-related risks, it’s far from the safest job role you can pursue. However, while it does come with some obstacles, being a nurse can be extremely rewarding in a variety of ways. In the end, only you can decide if a career in nursing is the right one for you.
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