The nursing industry is consistently one of the most in-demand that there is. The simple fact of the matter is that people are always going to have health care needs that only nurses can accommodate. This means a plethora of nursing jobs available at all times.
But not all nursing positions are created the same. If you are planning to earn a nursing degree or have just finished your schooling and are looking for a job, there are a few questions you should be asking.
1. What Makes You Feel Fulfilled?
Without a doubt, one of the most important aspects of a nursing position is the sense of fulfillment. But that fulfillment can look and feel different from person to person. Consider what keeps you motivated while at work.
Perhaps nurses find fulfillment in the appreciation that patients show. Maybe it is in knowing that you helped someone to recover from a health issue. Or maybe it means that feeling of contentment leaving the job at the end of the day and knowing you made a difference. Find what makes you feel fulfilled in the position.
2. How Do You Handle Stress?
No matter the nursing position, there is going to be a level of stress that comes with the position. In emergency situations especially, the stress can be ratcheted up to extreme levels. Knowing how you deal with stress is important.
Some positions are less stress-inducing than others. If you don’t handle high-pressure situations well, maybe working in an emergency room is less than ideal. Knowing how you handle stress and the situations that each position can put you in can dictate which role in the nursing world you are the best fit for.
3. What Kind of Facility Is Most Ideal?
The thing to consider about nursing jobs is that not all of them require working in a hospital setting. There are a variety of potential facilities out there, and it helps to know what kind of setting you would prefer out of your job.
Maybe it means working at a hospital and being involved with people. Private practices have less hustle and bustle. There are as many as 34 specialties that can allow nurses to work outside of the hospital setting. There are so many possibilities out there to choose from that it helps to know your preferred environment.
4. What are the Attractive Aspects of the Job?
Just like any position out there, a nursing job is going to have both attractive and unattractive aspects to the position. It is important to determine which parts of the job are most appealing to you and have a concise answer ready.
Some like the prospect of fixing things, like ensuring someone gets medication or proper bandaging. Others like meeting new people. Others still like seeing the same patients and developing relationships over a longer period of time. Knowing what is most attractive can help dictate where you land.
5. Which Age Group Is Most Appealing?
Being a nurse can mean working with patients ranging from children to the elderly. Spending time with patients can be more comfortable if you feel more comfortable with a specific age range in terms of patients.
Some nurses feel more comfortable around children, which makes pediatric care more ideal. Being around the elderly may be preferable, which is why nursing homes or private care facilities may be better suited. Knowing what age group you do best with can be helpful, especially if there is discomfort working with one age group or another. It is just part of what makes one nursing position more ideal than the next.