Being a nurse is rewarding financially, as well as spiritually. But, many of the qualified individuals overlook this career path due to a number of misconceptions.
Despite the nurses’ attempts to squash the stereotypes, many of the cliché beliefs related to the profession still linger! Let’s try to dispel the five most common myths related to nursing-
Being An RN Limits Your Future Career Moves
It is a common misconception that after getting a job as an RN (registered nurse), you’re stuck doing the same work forever. The fact is, the healthcare system is expanding with myriad opportunities for specializations in all fields throughout the industry. Though most of the RNs begin their profession in hospitals, many switch into areas that don’t involve patient care.
You can choose to pursue your career as a nurse educator and inspire other healthcare professionals. Being an RN, you can obtain certifications to move to different specialties or advanced degree courses. Many of the nursing schools offer online BSN completion program to the nurses who want to move up into leadership positions. You can specialize in nurse informatics, master’s degree, and Ph.D. programs as well!
Only Women Choose The Nursing Profession
Perhaps the most common nursing myth is that only females become nurses. There is no denying the fact that RNs have typically been women.
However, Washington Center For Equitable Growth states that men have been entering the field since 1960. Moreover, as of 2015, 13% of professional nurses were men.
Further, another article from the New York Times emphasized that nursing is a job of the future for men! With great pay and endless opportunities, you return home every day doing something positive for someone.
Nurses Merely Take Doctor’s Orders
It is another common misconception that nurses simply follow a doctor’s orders. You need to understand that the roles of nurses and doctors are different. Both of them are highly educated and trained professionals who provide a holistic approach to the healthcare system.
Though a physician diagnoses the illness, write orders, sees the patient’s overall progress and makes a medical care plan; it’s a nurse who serves the patient hour after hour. Nurses relate to the patients and their families at a more personal level. They use compassion and empathy to offer comfort that improves the patient’s outcomes.
Nursing Is A No-Brainer Profession
It is somewhat shocking that many people think nursing is a routinary job. However, technical skills are the baseline of nursing education. Not only you would be honing your technical skills, but nursing also entails a broad-thinking approach to the care.
While dealing with the complex dynamics of the patients’ vitals, a nurse juggles with the millions of questions asked by the patient’s family. At the same time, they need to take care of the needs of other patients on the floor.
Being A Nurse Is An Easy Job
Most of the people think that nurses are just rushing around to take care of the patient’s needs. Reading temperatures, writing on charts, putting on scrubs carrying stethoscope are some tasks that conjure up in the minds of those who don’t understand a nurse’s daily efforts. But, nurses undergo grueling hours of handling sensitive cases that require mental, as well as physical strength.
To be a nurse, you need to pay attention to each detail. You should be a great communicator, problem-solver, and have the ability to express empathy to the patients consistently.
Conclusion
Nursing is a rewarding profession with lots of career opportunities. It may sound cliché that you are never finished with learning. However, it is sad that the profession is filled with myths. It is essential to debunk these misconceptions and encourage future candidates to consider it as an exciting career.
