The long-term career benefits of being a nurse

Nursing is a mission-driven profession that offers both personal meaning and long-term career stability. There’s expected to be a 5% growth in registered nurse (RN) employment between 2024 and 2034, while many other industries are seeing job opportunities decline. This sustained demand translates into long-term job stability for registered nurses.¹

From job satisfaction to robust benefit packages, the positives of being a registered nurse are many. Explore the long-term benefits of nursing and consider whether earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) aligns with your professional goals.

High job security & market demand

Ongoing demand for health care services is one of the most compelling reasons to pursue a career in nursing. As the large Baby Boomer generation reaches its later years, many require additional care. Beyond an aging population, a growing number of individuals are living with chronic conditions that require consistent, long-term care.¹

RNs are needed across geographies, whether it’s the middle of a major city or a rural location. Traveling nurses can even enjoy short-term contracts in various cities if they want to move around.

Diverse career pathways

There are ample BSN careers to consider, including clinical specialties in Intensive Care Unit (ICU), oncology, pediatrics, mental health, and other departments. In these roles, you can specialize in a certain area of care and become an expert in your distinct field.

Non-clinical nursing roles include informatics, quality improvement, and care coordination, which allow you to make a real impact without working in a traditional medical setting.

Advances in health care delivery have also created emerging opportunities in areas such as telehealth, genomics, and AI-assisted care. These are ideal for individuals who are intrigued by new technology and want to help advance the medical industry.

Competitive compensation & benefits

Nursing offers competitive salaries and benefits. In May 2024, the median annual wage for RNs was $93,994, and that number steadily increases year over year.² Nurses who work at hospitals and major health systems are also likely to receive comprehensive benefits, such as:

• Paid sick time
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Health and life insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Wellness programs
• Paid family leave
• Retirement benefits
• Reimbursement for certification fees
• Childcare³

Additional incentives such as sign-on bonuses, loan forgiveness programs, and shift differentials can further enhance earning potential.

Advancement & leadership opportunities

Nursing also offers many avenues for advancement, including:

• Nurse Practitioner (NP)
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
• Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)⁴

Furthering your education beyond a BSN opens up even more career paths. With an advanced degree, you can take on administrative, executive, or leadership roles, such as a nurse manager, director of nursing, or chief nursing officer (CNO). These pathways allow nurses to apply their expertise in a variety of settings and leadership capacities aligned with individual interests and strengths.

Continuous professional development

One of the defining advantages of a nursing career is the opportunity for continuous professional development. You can continue to enrich your professional knowledge through certifications and graduate degrees. And that doesn’t necessarily mean pausing your career to be a full-time student or commuting back and forth to a college campus. With online, hybrid, and employer-sponsored programs, there are many ways to continue your learning while still working.

You can also network with other nurses through the many professional organizations, including:

• American Nurses Association (ANA)
• National League for Nursing (NLN)
• Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)
• American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
• National Black Nurses Association (NBNA)⁵

These organizations can help you find the right career opportunities or offer you support during education or personal challenges.

Work-life flexibility

Among the top benefits of being a registered nurse is the flexibility, with a myriad of schedules and shift options. This can be wonderful for parents who want to spend time with their kids during the day or those who enjoy an unconventional work schedule. Nurses in some roles can negotiate three-day work weeks, per-diem contracts, travel contracts, part-time schedules, seasonal roles, or even remote jobs.

This flexibility can support long-term career sustainability by helping nurses manage workload, reduce burnout, and maintain overall well-being.

Global & humanitarian impact

Being a nurse is about far more than flexible work schedules and rewarding salaries. There are nursing roles with non-profits, disaster-relief teams, military services, charitable organizations, and more. You can make a difference in people’s lives and dedicate yourself to a career that makes the world a better place.

Personal fulfillment & purpose

For many professionals, finding purpose at work can be challenging—yet nursing is often cited as a deeply meaningful and rewarding career. Most RNs have a direct impact on patients and get the chance to build meaningful relationships. Your skills will go beyond the technical aspects of the job to encompass empathy, resilience, and critical thinking.

Job satisfaction is an important factor in choosing your career. A 2024 report on nurses found that 59% stated they were satisfied or very satisfied with their jobs. Levels of satisfaction like these are not universal across industries, underscoring nursing’s unique role as both a profession and a calling. ⁶

Enjoy these benefits with a degree in nursing

What are the benefits of being a nurse? Job security, steady income, flexible roles, career advancement and personal fulfillment make the top of the list. If you think you’re the perfect person to take on this role in public health, get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) online from Oklahoma City University.

A nursing career can offer purpose, balance, and long-term professional security. Start by learning more about our admissions process or schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor if you have any questions.