When analyzing the advantages to becoming a nurse, you can evaluate rising incomes in the medical industry, an increasing demand for nurses, and flexible hours and programs that could further your education. The benefits might also include premier health insurance plans and a bonus for each nurse who signs a long-term contract. Additionally, nurses may become supervisors in sizable departments, and if you specialize in various medical fields, your income could increase by at least 14 percent.

Evaluating the Schedules

Many hospitals offer especially flexible shifts for nurses, so you’ll be able to work at multiple facilities, complete shifts with a duration of approximately 12 hours and enjoy numerous vacations each year. When you are an inexperienced registered nurse, you may primarily work at night, yet once you have been helping patients for at least two years, you can typically select specific shifts.

The Average Income of Nurses

Throughout the United States, registered nurses (RNs) have a median income of more than $67,000. When examining the nurses who reported higher earnings than 90 percent of their counterparts, researchers determined that thousands of the participants receive annual incomes of more than $101,000.

Typically, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) earn yearly incomes of at least $42,000. Once an LPN has been active in a particular medical field for 10 years, the person’s annual compensation will generally exceed $48,000.

During the last eight years, the average wage of nurses has increased by at least 10 percent. Numerous studies have suggested that the median earnings will likely rise by more than 8 percent in the next decade.

The Demand for Nurses Throughout the United States

Several reports have indicated that at least 2.8 million nurses reside in the United States, and throughout the next eight years, the demand for nurses may increase by 16 percent. Before becoming a nurse, you should know that this rising demand has prompted some hospitals to offer an incentive of more than $8,000 to experienced nurses who will provide services at their facilities for at least two years. Moreover, some medical centers have developed programs that allow nurses to travel to more than eight major cities within one year.

Obtaining Health Insurance

While looking at the advantages to becoming a nurse, experts determined that most medical facilities will offer premier health insurance plans for nurses, and the policies typically cover the costs of dental services and medical treatments that protect a person’s vision. When you schedule a routine appointment, you will usually provide a copayment of less than $50. Multiple analyses have shown that the plans generally have an average cost that exceeds $680 per month. Furthermore, some policies will cover the medical costs of a person’s spouse and children.

The Psychological Benefits of Becoming a Nurse

According to various studies that evaluated health care providers, nurses may experience improved mood, increased energy and reduced pain. By offering medical services, nurses can naturally decrease levels of cortisol, and the concentration of this hormone may correspond to the levels of chronic stress that a person is experiencing. Numerous analyses have shown that nurses can also benefit from substantially lower blood pressure after having helped patients.

After you’ve identified the advantages to becoming a nurse, you can choose a program that allows you to obtain a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree or an associate’s degree. If you are a registered nurse without experience, your initial income will generally exceed $53,000, and you could become a leader of a department within only five years. More than 83 percent of new nurses will find especially suitable positions within less than six months.

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