Looking for a career where you can make a difference, explore your interests, and grow professionally? Nursing offers all that and more.
If you’re considering a career in healthcare, nursing is worth a closer look. From flexible education pathways to diverse career opportunities, nursing provides the freedom to shape a career around your individual goals all while making a meaningful impact on people’s lives.
Here are five reasons nursing stands out from other health professions and why it could be the right path for you.
There are multiple paths to a nursing career
Your nursing journey can start wherever you are. Unlike other health professions with more prescribed educational pathways, residency and clinical requirements, and set working environments, nursing offers multiple entry points to help you reach your career goals. Whether you’re just starting your education, changing careers, or ready to advance your credentials, there’s a path to explore. Depending on your goals and qualifications, options may include:
- Entry-level certificates and degrees such as a Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) Certificate or Associate Degree in Nursing
- 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs that prepare graduates for the Registered Nurse (RN) license
- Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs for students who already hold a degree in another field
- Graduate degrees, such as Master’s and Doctoral programs, that prepare students for advanced roles and independent practice
Nursing offers strong career opportunities
Nurses are in great need everywhere in the country. Nursing is the largest health profession in the country. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for registered nurses are expected to grow by 6 percent from 2025 to 2035. This growth is faster than most other health professions.
Mass retirements and departures of currently practicing nurses, along with an aging population, will only increase the number of available nursing positions in the coming years. The BLS projects that this will create about 180,800 openings for registered nurses each year on average over the next decade, leaving an abundance of job opportunities as well as job stability for future nurses.
You can build a nursing career that fits your lifestyle
Not everyone envisions the same workday, and the nursing field reflects just that. Nurses care for patients at every stage of life, from newborns to the elderly, and work in settings that serve a variety of needs and communities. Examples include:
- Hospitals and medical centers
- Outpatient clinics
- Home health services
- Nursing homes and long-term care facilities
Each setting offers a different way to apply your skills, connect with patients, and contribute to their well-being. These choices in workplaces offer benefits such as flexibility in work schedules and responsibilities. As your interests evolve, you’ll be able to explore opportunities to identify new roles and working environments.
There are many nursing specialties
Nursing offers a wide range of specialties, allowing you to customize your career based on your interests. Interested in caring for children? Fascinated by the respiratory system? Drawn to helping patients navigate complex illnesses? Depending on your education, experience, and credentials, you can choose your own specialty based on what you're passionate about.
Curious about where a nursing career could take you? Explore Johnson & Johnson’s nursing specialties resource to learn more.
Nurses build strong connections with their patients
In addition to the variety of specialties, nursing is unique in its emphasis on patient relationships. As a nurse, you’ll work closely with patients and build meaningful relationships with them. It is a very hands-on profession where you work with patients daily to provide focused and highly personalized care to each individual. If you want a career that lets you care for others and support patients, consider nursing. It’s a profession focused on helping those who need it most.
Take the next step into nursing
Are you convinced that nursing is the right fit for you? Register for the Discover Nursing School Virtual Fair on November 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET to meet with nursing schools directly and find nursing programs that fit your goals.