When people talk about professions, nursing seldom comes front and center. Doctors, lawyers, or engineers are often on top of the list. These options are viewed by society as the prestigious go-to career paths that an individual should explore right after high school.

A career in nursing, however, can also set you up for a good future. It's a less popular career choice that comes with myriad perks. If you are on the fence about whether or not nursing is a good fit for you or you are just exploring the different professions you can pursue, here are some reasons that answer the question - "why become a nurse?"

1. Be Able to Help Others

If you are passionate about helping people live a better quality of life, nursing is one of the professions where your day-to-day work can have a direct impact. Depending on what type of nurse you work as and what department and facility you are placed in, you'll be taking patients' vital signs, administering medication, and educating them about healthcare-related subject matter. You'll also be making rounds with attending physicians to continuously assess the condition of patients and to determine the necessary course of action moving forward.

2. High Job Security

Perhaps a distinct advantage of the healthcare industry over other industries is job security. Unfortunately, diseases are a part of the circle of life. And as long as people are getting sick, there will be a demand for nurses. Based on a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, nursing jobs are expected to grow by 9% this decade. This is an equivalent of 194,500 job openings for people holding nursing degrees. Note that the average growth rate for employment in other professions is between 5% and 8%.

3. Can Easily Transition to a New Role

If you get exhausted working as a registered nurse for a particular ward or department, there are opportunities to switch to a new role. Many nurses do so with the aim of furthering their experience and/or increasing their salary potential. Different nurse specializations exist, such as a cardiac nurse, certified registered nurse anesthetist, critical care nurse, and so forth. To make the transition, you may need to obtain additional education and in-hospital training. For instance, to transition to a role as a family nurse practitioner, you may need to obtain FNP certification by completing 500 clinical hours.

4. Earn a Good Salary

Why become a nurse? Perhaps one of the most convincing reasons is the potential nursing salary. Based on verified reports, registered nurses in the U.S. can make an annual salary of roughly $70,000. Your salary can be much higher if you have more experience and if you specialize in a specific field or branch, e.g., cardiology, oncology, or orthopedics. Those who work for private hospitals and private clients may also earn a higher hourly wage.

5. Work in Various Settings

Although hospitals are the largest employer of registered nurses and healthcare professionals, it's not the only work setting you can be employed in. As a nurse, you can find yourself working in military bases, airplanes, company retreats, sports arenas, and other interesting places. Being able to work in different settings also means your day-to-day routine does not get monotonous.

Check out FHSU's nursing program and talk with one of our Program Specialists to determine if this is the right path for you.