Why Nursing Is A Good Career In Australia

Being a nurse is more than about helping others, it's about changing your life.

Are you considering becoming a nurse in Australia? In this article we'll cover a few reasons why becoming a nurse could be the best decision you've ever made!

What makes nursing so special?

Nurses have a massive impact on the lives of the people you treat. But what about the impact it has on you? Becoming a nurse can help you come to terms with life and death, it can help you build an appreciation for things you've taken for granted and it can provide that sense of fulfilment that no other career can.

Being a nurse is much more than checking on a patient. You can literally become someone else's everything in the blink of an eye. Walking into the room of someone who is suffering, just to provide them a little company and comfort, is so much more. It's incredible. And that part is often forgotten about.

A range of lifestyle choices

Not only can you find work as a nurse almost anywhere in Australia and the world, it comes with a variety of factors that might give you a better lifestyle including being able to work full-time, part-time, casually or contracting through your own business as an ABN holder. What other benefits are there of being a nurse?

• Variety of work opportunities - from training in cosmetic injectables or working in a COVID testing centre as a contractor part time, and keeping your day job, the variety of nursing your career can take you on is endless.
• Lots of working hours - nurses are required 24 hours a day, so there's always an option for those of you who prefer working early morning or late at night.
• Flexible locations - your skills as a nurse are easily transferable, no matter where you work in Australia and the world. This means relocating to new cities, or moving from city to regional towns for a sea or tree change, won't be a career-ending decision.
• Specialisation - a career in nursing offers a range of specialty areas in the army, as a vet nurse, midwife, to specialising as a nurse practitioner, working at a blood bank, or throwing yourself into paediatrics or ER. This means in your lifetime as a nurse you can mix it up a little.

Career progression

Something not many people consider when deciding which career path they want to take is "how far can I take it?". Becoming a nurse doesn't just end once you get your first job. There's a wide variety of roles that you can embark on in your journey, including moving from front-line into assisted care, working in public health or community health, becoming a nursing consultant for the legal system, or even becoming an educator and teaching the next generation of Australian nurses. Progression and mobility is ever-present in nursing, and that's great to know if you like a little bit of variety in your life.

Ongoing demand

With the rise of the COVID pandemic there has never been a time where nurses have been needed more. There's no denying that Australia is suffering from a nursing shortage. Whilst this might come across a bit intimidating, it can actually be a benefit if you're truly passionate about becoming a nurse. A job shortage can only mean one thing - there's lots of demand for employers to hire more nurses. This fits in well with nurses who have recently graduated and are looking for their first job, or for those who are moving across the country, or re-entering the workforce and are concerned about picking up where they left off.

Evergreen workforce

No matter what the economy looks like, no matter what crisis is around, nurses have, and always will be, needed. This means you don't have to be worried about things others typically fear such as improvements in technology, or changes in legislation, because your skills as a nurse is pretty much guaranteed to be something that is lifelong.

It can be your primary or secondary occupation

If caring for others is your life passion, nursing can be a great full-time career for you. If it's something that you've just wanted to do to help out and play your part, becoming a part-time nurse is also an option you can consider. There are even companies that offer casual or contracted nursing jobs. A lot of nurses in Australia are part-time, using nursing as a second income. This is afforded because of the flexibility nursing offers. Like we mentioned, nurses are required around the clock, so if you work during the day and want to pick up a few hours at night, or vice-versa, it might be the perfect second job for you.

All in all, being a nurse can be one of the toughest, but most rewarding, career choices. If you decide to become a nurse contractor in Australia, be sure to check out upcover's instant quote generator to get an estimate on your Professional Indemnity, Public Liability and Products Liability insurance. Just because you're caring for others doesn't mean you shouldn't care for yourself!