There are currently 23,611 nurses licensed in the state of New York. Yet this number is not enough as the population increases and begins to age. But do you know the benefits of becoming a nurse in the state?
If you have ever had a desire to begin a meaningful, fulfilling career this could be the one for you. Read on as we discuss why you should consider becoming a nurse in New York.
Even before the global pandemic took hold, the country had a nursing shortage. Not only did the pandemic increase demand, it finally gave nurses the much-needed respect they deserve. As a nurse, you can expect to be in demand for the occupation you have chosen.
The pandemic also showed just how close to the brink the health service in New York was. In the next few years, expect places for nurses to increase and new facilities to open. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts this will rise by 15% in the years leading up to 2026.
Add an aging population to the mix and you can see how important this demand becomes. You may even find some occupations offer sign-on bonuses should you take up a position with them.
All of this leaves you with a lot of choices to make. Either as an existing nurse or someone who is considering training, you get the joy of flexibility. You can more or less choose where you want to work, with vacancies in abundance.
When you start a nursing career in New York, it does not have to be the end of your journey. In fact, many see it as just the beginning. There are hundreds of specialisms to follow and places to go to make yourself an expert in your given field.
All of these offer you a wealth of opportunities. Some of the highest-paying nursing positions you may wish to consider are listed below.
For example, you may want to focus on pediatric nursing or look after the elderly. Perhaps you may decide to work in the fast-paced environment of the trauma room, decide to work in an office as a consultant, go into education or management. Should you decide to leave New York, you could even join the forces and see the world.
Getting into a New York nursing career just for the money is never a good idea. Most nurses will tell you this is not why they do it anyway, instead choosing to focus on the rewarding aspects of the job. However, it helps to know that you will have a solid salary and some great benefits to go with it.
A starting rate as a nurse in New York comes in at $39.98 an hour. This increases as the years of experience mount up, with a nurse who has been working for over 10 years getting an average of $47.23 per hour. The potential to earn over $13,000 in overtime is also an option.
The NYSNA pension plan and fund provide benefits for thousands of health professionals in the New York area. In addition, you may qualify for the benefits under the NYC public sector. Everything from prescriptions to dental benefits is included in this.
A nursing career in New York is not about selling products or increasing sales. It is not about making money for yourself or someone else either. It is about making a difference in society at the level of the individual person.
When you have been searching for a job that has a purpose, nursing is never far away. The job will be difficult and there will be times when you feel like the pressure is too much. Yet at the end of a long shift, you will have a sense of self-worth unparalleled in any other career.
All of this will earn you a lot of kudos. This is one of the most respected professions in the world. People will know you as someone who is selfless and puts others before their individual needs.
In addition to this, you get a lot of flexibility as to how and when you work. Nursing is not a nine-to-five job and it does not have to be full-time either.
This allows you to plan work around your partner or family commitments. You can work standard hours, through the night, at weekends, or how you decide.
The path to becoming a nurse is easier than ever to start. In fact, the qualifications for a New York nursing career can be done while you work. This means you don’t have to take years out of your life to study for your license.
If you have a nursing degree and are over 18 years of age then you can begin immediately. All you need to do is complete a course on the reporting of Child Abuse under New York State, and pass a nursing examination.
Later in your career, you may even decide to become an educator yourself. When qualified you may find yourself working with student nurses and see the mistakes you once made. If you enjoy helping and showing them how to improve, this could be an option for you.
Now you know the benefits of becoming a nurse in New York, start to do some research. Speak to other medical professionals about getting some experience. It could be the start of a glittering new career.
Your first stop for assistance should be Thornbury Nursing USA. We provide medical professionals to hospitals and clinics on short notice. Click here to see all our resources to help you get on the path to a new career.
