Guest Columnist: Julia Merill
When considering future careers, many men overlook opportunities in the nursing field. But this is slowly changing. According to the 2020 Nurse and Midwife, the number of male nurses is increasing, and today, 9.6% of nurses are men.
Men can, in fact, make great nurses — being physically stronger can make you an asset to any hospital. If you’re a man who is considering going into nursing, you may be wondering what to do next. These tips will help you start your journey towards a career in nursing.
Character Matters
First, it’s important to consider whether or not your personality makes you a good fit for nursing. Soliant states that every great nurse has a caring nature and the ability to show empathy towards those who are struggling. In addition, being organized, detail-oriented, and levelheaded are all important traits. Men who are able to keep calm in the midst of chaos, soothe those who are feeling stressed, and stay on task despite distractions are definitely suited for careers in nursing.
Potential Career Paths
If you want to become a nurse, you will have numerous career options. For instance, you may want to become a nurse practitioner and provide direct care to patients of all ages. You might be interested in specializing a few years down the road, which could lead to you becoming a clinical nurse specialist. And if you’re passionate about teaching others, you could eventually become a nurse educator.
If you have any friends or relatives who work in nursing, ask them about their day-to-day responsibilities in their jobs — they can give you the inside scoop so that you can make an informed decision. And if you know any male nurses, seek out their opinions.
Earn Your Degree
Once you’ve determined which career path you want to pursue in the nursing field, you need to focus on earning the necessary academic credentials. Depending on your professional goals, you may need to enroll in a one-year course at a vocational school, an associate’s degree program at a community college, or a bachelor’s degree program at a university.
If you want to take your career to the next level, consider earning your master’s degree in nursing education, nursing informatics, nursing leadership, and management, or health leadership and administration. Any of these programs will equip you with sufficient credentials and skills to have a positive impact on your patients and your entire community. Consider earning your degree online, which will allow you to take courses as they fit into your schedule and enable you to balance school with your current work.
Landing Your First Job
Once you’ve graduated from your program and passed any required exams, you’ll be ready to start job searching.
Trying to land your first job in nursing can be nerve-wracking, but if you prepare, you’ll be ready to impress at job interviews. As a new graduate, you’ll want to customize your resume for each employer and write up solid cover letters that showcase your unique talents and capabilities. Anticipate answering questions about clinical scenarios and study up in advance.
Nursing can be an extremely rewarding career path, and although men are currently underrepresented in this field, more men are entering nursing every year. People may envision nursing as a career path for women, but males can make very valuable contributions as healthcare workers, too. If you are interested in becoming a nurse one day, these tips will help you map out your next steps.
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