Nursing is undoubtedly, one of the most trusted and selfless professions where, offering service to others lies at the heart of it all. But there’s a lot more to it right from choosing nursing as a career option to taking the right professional course and excelling in the field. Here’s everything you should know before becoming a nurse:

1. You will be more than just a ‘medical care’ provider

Nurses are important pillars of the healthcare service industry. They are more than just medical care providers. As a nurse, you will be a mediator between the doctor and your patient, a techno-expert in case of emergencies, sometimes a housekeeper or a waitress and most importantly, your patient’s advocate, counselor and friend.

2. You will always be respected and valued in the society

Because of the critical life saving role that you will often play as a nurse, you will earn a lot of respect and will be valued in the society. The selfless care of this profession puts nurses on a pedestal that they are worthy of.

3. Be prepared for disturbing experiences

The sailing will not always be smooth. In fact, more often than not, it will be tough dealing with emotionally disturbing situations of life-threatening illnesses, diseases, and sometimes, even death. A nurse is expected to be emotionally, psychologically and mentally strong and stable enough to get through all of these and support the patients and their families during tough times.

4. Jobs are in plenty but competitive

As per Health Workforce Australia, there is a shortfall of nurses in Australia. Nurses in critical care, aged care and mental health
domains are in highest demand but with this, comes the competition. Like most countries, Australia has a well defined system and eligibility criteria for nurses. You need to be equipped with appropriate skills and study the right course to get the job.

5. You need to master your skills to stand out

Apart from pursuing a professional degree, which is a must, there are a number of soft skills and core competencies that a nurse is expected to be a master of. This includes communication, time management, being a team player and most importantly, being proactive at work. An amalgamation of a professional degree and these skills will make you stand out and have a competitive edge.

6. You will have to learn prioritization or you’ll lose out on important things

Unlike corporate jobs, the nursing profession requires extra effort, off-time duties, over time working hours in case of emergency situations like the present pandemic and many other unexpected work scenarios which might eventually, make one lose out on self-care and other aspects of personal life. You need to know how to balance personal life and work.

7. It is a continuous learning process

Unlike a high school degree, nursing career is a continuous learning process where you are faced with new challenges every day and learning to tackle them makes you a better nurse. Being proactive and open to practical lessons, every single day while upgrading one’s knowledge through professional courses are the keys to being a leader in this domain.

Choosing a career is one of the most critical decisions as it can influence your life. If you are passionate enough to dedicate your life in service to others, then the nursing profession will undoubtedly be a good option for you. You can check here the Diploma of Nursing course offered by IHNA and make a wise decision to kick start your nursing career.