6 Things You’ll Gain Working as a Nurse During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Not all heroes wear capes. In fact, the real heroes of the pandemic wear scrubs to work while they help save the world. Those real-life heroes are nurses who provide compassionate care to their patients day in and day out. Think you have what it takes to fill such an essential role? Below are some perks you can look forward to when you become a nurse during the pandemic. You can find more critical information for nurses at SharedGovernance.org.
1. Empowerment
Read through countless articles on the Forum for Shared Governance and you will see that nurses who are employed by SG hospitals feel better equipped and more confident. As a nurse, if you are held accountable for your decisions and care practices, you are more likely to feel these effects in your own career. So, look for facilities that use SG and shared accountability. To help you connect with these hospitals, the Forum for Shared Governance provides a directory.
2. Resiliency
Being a nurse during a global pandemic may sound stressful. It can be, but you may be one of the many folks who thrive in environments filled with stress. That’s because these people have learned how to turn stressors into motivation. They uncover new opportunities and renewed resiliency in the process. You’ll also need to have some good self-care to reduce the negative stress effects of nursing during the pandemic, like removing negative energy within your home.
3. A Sense of Purpose
Working from home is all well and good, but what if you could feel like you’re really making a difference during this time of need? Nurses are on the frontline of the battle against COVID-19 and are absolutely vital if we ever hope to win the war against this deadly virus. These healthcare professionals are so critical that the World Health Organization named the previous year as the “Year of the Nurse and Midwife.” That importance isn’t likely to diminish this year, and the WHO has extended the Year of the Nurse through 2021..
4. Peace of Mind
Concerned about your COVID risks as a nurse? You should know that healthcare facilities across the country are taking every measure possible to protect their staff, and of course their patients. If you are working directly with COVID-19 patients, you will be equipped with proper PPE and care practices to help prevent you from contracting the virus. It’s also worth noting that healthcare workers should have priority access to coronavirus vaccines when available.
5. Choices
Being a nurse during the pandemic doesn’t have to mean working with patients who are infected with COVID-19. There is a long list of nursing specialties you can consider and many do not require you to work in a hospital at all. From cardiac care to dialysis to oncology, there are endless possibilities when it comes to being a nurse. Just remember that you may need to obtain clinical experience in a hospital setting before you can get into your specific field of nursing.
6. Career Prospects
Nurses are in-demand right now. Current healthcare workers are overwhelmed with the demands of the pandemic, and they simply do not have the reinforcements needed to reduce their workload. Some locations are harder hit than others, and this means you should have few troubles getting a job in these cities once you graduate from a nursing program. Even before the pandemic, careers in nursing came with plenty of job prospects and lucrative pay. So you can rest assured that your degree will bring a slew of benefits once things return to normal.
Honestly, there’s never been a better time to become a nurse. Not only will you be taking a huge step in helping your community, but you’ll also be taking on a role that will bring you confidence, pride, and purpose for years to come. If you think you’re up to the task, consider going back to school and taking the first steps towards being a true hero of the pandemic.
Resources to find jobs while you’re studying to become a nurse:
10 Online Jobs Students Can Get Without A Degree – Best Universities (best-universities.net)
You can read more about shared governance and other essential topics to guide your nursing career by checking out the resources and reports on the Forum for Shared Governance.