Hospital is the first thing to come to our mind regarding treating an injury or an illness. Besides getting treated for health-related problems, patients are mainly concerned about receiving quality care.
While doctors treat the patients, nurses are the backbone of the public and the private healthcare system that ensures patients’ needs are taken care of.
Nurses are the unsung heroes who handle all the essential tasks without getting impatient and simultaneously provide quality care to patients.
Nurses are the health advocates educating people about preventing injury or illness and providing support. Compassion and empathy are two distinct qualities that are found in a nurse.
However, with time and growing patients’ expectations regarding the kind of care they seek, the roles of nurses have significantly evolved.
Training programs and diversified staff are among the changes that have become a part of the nursing field.
Healthcare is a dynamic field that requires understanding and implementing the best practices. To accomplish that, nurses need to develop strong leadership and management skills.
Role of A Nurse Administrator
Unlike old times, the role of a nurse administrator has changed the work dynamics of the healthcare industry. Nurse administrators enable nurses to form a relationship with patients in a way that makes delivering quality care possible.
If you want to become a nurse administrator, leadership skills and a passion for making a difference in other people’s lives are the two attributes you must possess.
As a result, you will be the role model for the young generation of nurses, and your efforts will bring positive patient outcomes.
Apart from hiring or training nurses, a nurse administrator develops a strategic vision for the hospital or any particular department.
Misconceptions and Myths about Nursing Jobs
While a nursing job is one of the well-known professions globally, some misunderstandings and stereotypes are associated with it.
It’s time to clear things once and for all, so let’s look at a few things you might have heard about nursing that are not true.
- Lack of Career growth
Many people believe that nurses only work in a hospital; however, as the healthcare industry expands rapidly, nurses have numerous opportunities to work in areas other than the hospitals. It could be either working in non-clinical settings or utilizing knowledge or experience to teach others.
Nursing is not limited to providing patient care, so if you want to explore other areas within the nursing field, several options are available.
You can specialize in nursing informatics that incorporates nursing, computer, and information sciences to maintain medical data and systems to deliver high-quality care across various settings.
If you want to demonstrate your business knowledge and organizational skills practically, nursing leadership and management are the pathways for you to tread upon.
It is all about the education and training that help drive your nursing career in the right direction.
- Nursing Job is only for Women
A significant number of women are working in the nursing field, but what drives people to become a nurse is the ability to impact others’ lives positively.
It is not in the hands of the women to bring change in a patient’s life; men can also choose to support others if they want to.
According to a study, more men are opting to enter the nursing profession. Since nursing offers diverse opportunities like different areas of specialization that provide numerous rewards, men are joining the field.
Organizations like the American Association for Men in nursing help males who find pursuing a nursing career daunting with the enrollment process and the professional growth.
- Long working hours
Undoubtedly being a nurse is demanding with handling multiple tasks and ensuring quality care for patients.
However, the nursing profession has shifted towards flexible working hours with time. As many nursing career options are available, there are variations in work schedules.
Some nurses will usually work at typical office hours while others might at a shift of 10-12 hours for 3 to 4 days when practicing at a private clinic.
A parent nurse can work at night if they want to spend time with children after school, while a colleague can work on the weekends if they prefer.
- Higher Educations Means Back to School Full-time
The healthcare industry is evolving, which means a growing need for healthcare professionals and nurses to earn more credentials.
It is learning new skills for some, while others seek higher education to gain more knowledge. It is a common misconception that you have to leave your job to pursue higher education, but that is not true.
Several universities offer part-time degree and certificate programs or online nursing classes, such as RN to MSN programs like this one. The part-time benefit classes provide is that you don’t have to quit your job.
Universities are now incorporating a forward-thinking approach that enhances your education while keeping your job.
- Nurses only follow orders
Contrary to popular belief, the roles of nurses and other healthcare professionals are very different from each other. While doctors diagnose, treat, and prevent illness, nurses help patients through the recovery process.
Patient outcomes are improved when comfort and support are provided, which nurses do. Nurses can relate to patients and their families personally through empathy which most doctors do not incorporate.
Conclusion
If you are passionate about serving others, nursing could be your calling. However, like any other profession, you will hear multiple things about the nursing profession that are not true.
As we have debunked a few myths, hopefully, it will change the minds of individuals who want to pursue this career.
Since the nursing field is growing and the healthcare industry’s evolving, the need for nurses is growing. Several options are available to help you get started and make the most out of your nursing career.