The inception of modern-day nursing dates back to the 19th century. The profession has been around for well over a century. However, despite such a prolonged existence, the common public knows very little about it. As a result, we have developed so many myths and misconceptions about the nursing profession along the way.
Six Misconceptions About The Nursing Profession
Nurses are a pivotal part of our society. By virtue of their job, they are responsible for quality patient care and subsequently improve patients’ lifestyles. Unfortunately, nurses do not get a due share of appreciation because most of us are unaware of their contribution to the healthcare sector.
It is high time to debunk the nursing misconceptions that society has embraced over time. That way, you will also develop a better understanding of this field.
Who knows? You might even get motivated to choose nursing as a career pathway by the end of reading this write-up. Let’s get on with the job without further ado:
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Nursing is About Females
Several males do not step into nursing because they assume that only females can take this role. Well, it can’t get any further from the ground reality.
Nobody can deny females have dominated nursing for decades. In fact, female nurses continue to outnumber male nurses to-date. But various recently published credible reports demonstrated increasing male participation.
According to Interdisciplinary Health Workforce Studies, male nurses have surged to a staggering 350000 today compared to only 200000 in 2006.
Health experts suggest that male nurses can arguably perform some responsibilities better than female nurses.
For example, when looking after a patient becomes physically demanding, males are more likely to be the right fit. That is one reason why more and more healthcare facilities are actively recruiting male nurses recently.
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Every Nurse Performs Similar Tasks
Like other healthcare professionals, nurses have the option to pursue careers in diverse areas. Broadly put, there are various types of nurses, and all of them subscribe to different skills.
You may apply for the BSN or an MSN program in the respective field and, subsequently, qualify for a suitable job.
In case it is not convenient for you to attend classes physically, consider getting enrolled in a BSN to MSN online program from the comfort of your home.
To give you a better idea, we are listing some of the most common nursing categories in the following four sections:
- Registered Nurses (RNs) – In a typical healthcare facility, RNs undertake tasks such as educating patients about dosages, supervising treatment plans, etc. The job description can give you an idea that these nurses are indispensable for patients’ smooth rehabilitation process.
- Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) – An LPN collaborates with an RN to ensure the best nursing care. LPNs help patients to get on with errands like eating and bathing. As an LPN, you are more likely to serve the aged and physically disabled community. It takes roughly one year to obtain an LPN certificate and embark on a professional journey.
- Oncology Nurses – Oncology nurses possess in-depth knowledge about effective cancer treatment. It is a well-documented fact that cancer has a high ratio of being diagnosed in people falling between 55 to 84 age groups. Since the baby boomer generation is getting older, the demand for oncology nurses is set to go all-time high.
- Nurse Managers – As time goes by, nurses gradually get elevated to leadership roles like nurse managers. As a nurse manager, you become the in-charge of a team of nurses and help the respective organization to meet lofty objectives. Apart from medical know-how, the role demands you to be on top of communication skills and critical thinking.
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Nurses are not getting adequate Salary
There was a time when nurses had a hard time paying their bills. But that is not the case anymore. As a matter of fact, registered nurses’ annual incomes make up for a whopping 73550 dollars.
Moreover, under the Bureau of Labor Statistics findings, 10 percent of RNs crossed the threshold of 10000 dollars in 2017.
If you want to know more, diving into the online world can provide valuable insights about types of nurse practitioners and salaries very comprehensively.
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Nurses Only Work in Hospitals
It is a common misconception that nurses are limited to hospitals. Although an overwhelming proportion of nurses work in hospitals, there is no shortage of nurses in other settings where their services are required.
Government offices, private companies, psychiatric facilities, and educational institutions are some of the go-to places that employ nurses.
So if you are uncomfortable being in the hospital for whatever reason, that does not mean you should give up on becoming a nurse.
You have several alternatives at your disposal as far as the work environment is concerned.
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Nurses Never Rest
Sometimes wearing the hat of a nurse could be very demanding. More so, if people are going through a medical emergency on a mass scale.
The ongoing pandemic is a tell-tale example of that. But this is part of the package. Almost all jobs require you to push yourself out of the skin every once in a while.
In normal circumstances, nurses’ shift lasts for 8 hours on average. Moreover, nursing has flexible work schedules to ensure a better work-life balance for almost all factions.
For example, if you are a single parent, you can start your shift once you send your children to school.
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Can I apply for Nursing Job?
If you remotely follow the news, you must know that the nursing shortage has reached an alarming stage. The United States alone will have to fill around 439300 vacant nursing positions in the next three years. But the soaring demand does not make it any easier for anyone to be a nurse.
Employers design a robust recruitment process while hiring nurses. The reason being, a minor mistake from a nurse could account for irreversible health complications. Therefore, recruiters make it a point to select those who prove their skills and knowledge.
Indeed, strict recruitment method is one of many reasons why unpaid experiences are a must for an individual to become a nurse. Aside from technical skills, your soft skills are also of great value.
The Final Verdict
Regrettably, an array of false notions are associated with nursing. Consequently, talented individuals keep themselves from joining this profession. If you aspire to be a nurse, reading this piece would have given you the faith to do so much more confidently.
