Is Nursing a Stepping Stone to a Better Career?

Posted On August 25,2015

Is a nursing career really just a stepping-stone to other careers in the medical field? The answer to that question is really just a matter or perspective based on your personal desires and goals in life. According to numerous statistics and studies, the average adult will hold anywhere between seven and fifteen different jobs over the course of a lifetime. Few people start a job straight out of college and stay there until retirement.  Any job really could be considered “just a stepping stone” when people change careers every five to seven years.  But honestly, are stepping-stones really all that bad?

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In their most common context, stepping-stones are good for those walking on them. They make the path much easier to walk on, often look beautiful, and serve many other practical purposes. So, when people ask you if your future job as a nurse is just a stepping stone into another medical career, you can feel confident answering, “Maybe, and that’s okay.” But, if you decided that nursing is the perfect place for you, then consider yourself lucky to find a career in a field that fits you well.

3 Reasons Why Nursing Might Be a Career Stepping-Stone

1. Nursing opens the door to other medical careers. Virtually everyone knows about the work that nurses do. But, the medical field is filled so many more professionals besides nurses and doctors. Beginning your career in the medical field as a nurse can introduce you to a world of other career opportunities you may have never learned about otherwise.
2. Nursing helps you understand the challenges of working in the medical field. A career in nursing provides you with a solid foundational understanding of medical terminology, patient behaviors, emergency crises, the intensity of working in patient care, and all of the other nuances of a career in the medical field.
3. The financial benefits of a steady nursing job help pay the bills during a career transition. Going back to school to start over in a new career can be very taxing on you, your friends, family, and even your current employer. Financially, it can be difficult to pay for full-time college tuition WHILE continuing to pay for all of your daily living expenses. Working as a nurse while attending additional classes or training can make it possible for you to financially afford your dream.

However, you probably worked really hard to get where you are as a nurse. After beginning your career as a nurse, you might find that you’re in the perfect place to spend your days.

Here’s a list of some of the top reasons people enjoy their jobs:

1. Location- your job is located close to your residence, in an ideal setting for your interests and needs.
2. Career Satisfaction- you find a sense of purpose and enjoyment in going to your place of employment everyday.
3. Opportunity for Advancement- your career offers you a path for personal growth and advancement with promotions, raises, and other benefits.
4. Management Culture- Is the management culture such that an overall atmosphere of mutual respect, teamwork, and common purpose is reflected from the top to the bottom of the healthcare ladder.
5. Sense of Community Impact- does your career allow you to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the community as a whole? Do you feel like your work means something in the grand scheme of things?
6. Personal Responsibility at Work- your job provides you with challenging work responsibilities and tasks that require you to remain focused and dedicated each and every day. Your daily work responsibilities are crucial to the smooth functioning of everything else at your place of employment.
7. Challenges for Growth- Your job requires you to continually learn about advances in technology, changes in procedures and laws, or important findings that could affect others?

Look at the checklist and think about your career as a nurse. If you find a sense of personal fulfillment from the idea of being a nurse, then don’t think for a minute that a career in nursing is nothing but a stepping-stone to something better. Because, in the end, there is nothing better than a career that makes you happy. You’re not settling for less when you decide to work as a nurse.  You’re choosing happiness.

So, whether you choose a lifelong career in nursing, or you opt to go through the many doors that may open because of your job as a nurse, be confident that your current career is serving you well.

An exciting career in nursing starts with the right training and education from Athena Career Academy.  To get started on the path to a new career in nursing, simply contact our admissions professionals today at 419-329-4075 now.