Why become a nurse? High job satisfaction rates, fantastic benefits, abundant opportunities — the reasons are wide and varied. Below are 10 excellent reasons to pursue a career in nursing.
1. Nurses Make a Difference in People’s Lives
Nursing can be a rewarding and fulfilling career path for those who want to make a positive impact on people and their communities.
As Andrea Gibson, DNP, interim dean and vice president for the Purdue Global School of Nursing, says, “Nurses are central to the health care system, serving as leaders across interprofessional teams. They are uniquely qualified through their holistic understanding of individual, family, and community needs.”
2. Nurses Have Ample Job Opportunities
The U.S. is experiencing a well-documented nursing shortage, driven by an aging population and other factors. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the registered nurse (RN) profession ranks among the top 10 occupations expected to add the most new jobs through 2033, highlighting the demand for skilled nurses. With an estimated 194,500 job openings annually, this field offers exceptional job security and opportunities for employment across the country.
3. Nursing Is a Trusted and Respected Profession
According to an annual Gallup poll, nurses have been ranked the most trusted profession in the U.S. for over 20 consecutive years. More than 3 in 4 Americans believe nurses possess high honesty and ethical standards — a powerful testament to the respect and admiration for nurses.
4. Nurses Have Opportunities for Advancement
With continued education and experience, registered nurses can pursue leadership roles, advanced practice positions, and expanded scopes of responsibility.
The demand is especially high for nurse practitioners. The BLS projects 46% job growth in this field through 2033 — more than 10 times the average growth rate across all occupations.
5. Nurses Have Above-Average Job Satisfaction
In 2024, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released findings from a survey of nurses. The organization found that overall job satisfaction among RNs remained high at about 80%, which is above average compared to most occupations. According to a 2024 survey by The Conference Board, the average job satisfaction rate was 62.7% in 2023.
6. Nurses Have Wide and Varied Employment Options
Nurses can align their career with their passions by focusing on a nursing specialty, such as family practice, geriatrics, adult health, maternal-infant, pediatrics, mental health, medical-surgical nursing, and hospice nursing. Nurses with an advanced degree can also work in areas such as:
- Community education and public health
- Nursing case management
- Nursing management and leadership
- Implementation of evidence-based practice
- Patient care coordination
- Nursing education
- Health care administration
7. Nurses Have Access to Flexible Shifts and Schedules
Nursing is one of the few professions that offers flexible scheduling and shift selection, making it an attractive career option. There are plenty of full-time and part-time opportunities in nursing. Nurses can also work days, evenings, or nights based on what works best for their schedules.
8. Nurses Receive Excellent Benefits
According to the BLS’s Employee Benefits Survey, nurses receive more comprehensive benefits than the average U.S. worker. For example, 90% of registered nurses have access to medical care benefits compared to 75% of all civilian workers. Similarly, 91% of nurses have access to retirement benefits, well above the 75% average across all occupations.
Additional benefits may include:
- Tuition reimbursement for continuing education
- Generous paid time off
- Life insurance
- Pension plans
- Tax savings plans
Nurses may even be eligible for several federal and state loan forgiveness and repayment programs, including:
- National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program
- Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program
- State-specific programs, including Maine’s Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program and New York’s Nurses Across New York (NANY) Loan Repayment Program
9. Nurses Can Travel the World
There's a great need for health care within the U.S. and worldwide. Travel nursing can help address these shortages by sending registered nurses to work in different regions and countries.
More than 1.7 million traveling nurses are currently employed in the U.S.
10. Nurses Can Nurture Their Love of Learning
Health care is constantly evolving, and nurses are expected to stay current. While many states have continuing education requirements, many nurses have a natural curiosity and passion for learning. Nurses are encouraged to foster their love of learning and continue building their knowledge of the health care profession, the health care delivery model, and their role within that system.
Nursing is a field where lifelong learners thrive.
Earn a Nursing Degree Online at Purdue Global
Are you an aspiring nurse or looking to advance your nursing career? Purdue Global offers a range of online nursing degree programs — from RN-to-BSN and master’s degree programs to post-master’s certificates and Doctor of Nursing Practice. Prelicensure options are also available for students in Iowa and Maine.
Ready to get started? Request more information today, and take the next step toward a fulfilling nursing profession.
Filed in:
Earn Your Nursing Degree
Pursue your educational and career goals with a nursing degree from Purdue Global.