Why Become a Nurse in or Around Seattle, Washington?

Nursing is a high-demand, fast-growing occupation filled with reward and opportunity. It is also one of the most diverse career paths available today. These are just some of the reasons that make it easy to answer the question, “Why become a nurse?”

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High-Demand Occupation

If you want a career that offers job security and economic stability, you will find it with nursing. The profession is and will continue to be in demand for years to come. The need is partially due to an increase in chronic health conditions and a growing elderly population, not to mention the unexpected COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the need for these frontline heroes.

Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects registered nurse employment to grow 6% from 2021 to 2031. In Washington, the Bureau anticipates registered nurse employment to grow 21% from 2016 to 2026. CareerOneStop shows the state’s highest concentration of RNs works in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metropolitan area. The median annual salary for registered nurses in this region is $99,030 (as of 2023).

Diverse Work Settings

A nursing career can take many forms. While hospitals are the largest employers of nurses, you can pursue nursing employment in various settings, such as nursing homes, mental health facilities, private practices, military bases, school systems and urgent care clinics. You can also work in a variety of settings as a travel nurse. No matter where you decide to work, our ABSN program prepares you for the job ahead.

Different Practice Areas

As a registered nurse, you can specialize in a specific practice area. You could focus your care on a patient population (e.g., pediatrics or adult health) or health condition (e.g., cancer or heart disease). You might even decide to work beyond the bedside as a legal nurse consultant or nurse writer. Keep in mind that most specialized areas of nursing require you to acquire specialty certification.

Is Nursing Right for You?

It is no secret that nursing is one of the best careers available today, but it is not an occupation you want to enter into lightly. Every time a nurse puts on scrubs, they choose selflessness over self-preservation. After all, nursing has several occupational hazards, such as infectious disease exposure, needle sticks and bodily fluid contact. So how do you know if the nursing profession is right for you? Consider the five essential nursing skills below (skills you will develop during our ABSN program).

1. Emotional Strength

You must stay calm, cool and collected when faced with human suffering.

2. Critical Thinking

You must be able to draw upon evidence-based practice when solving patient problems.

3. Cultural Awareness

You must not pass judgment when caring for patients from all walks of life.

4. Collaborative Mindset

You must be able to work effectively with others to improve patient outcomes.

5. Good Communication

You must communicate effectively with coworkers, patients and their family members.

Why You Should Live and Work Near Seattle?

Earning your BSN with Pacific Lutheran University means you live and work near Seattle, Washington, a dynamic and vibrant city surrounded by natural beauty. In Seattle, you get the best of both worlds from the vibrant arts and culture scene with live music, theater and museums, to scenic hiking trails and parks.

Seattle’s healthcare facilities are also some of the best in Washington state and ranked nationally in various specialties, according to US News & World Report. Washington state also projects a 16% increase in employment between 2020 and 2030, 10% higher than the national average.

When you work and live in or near Seattle as a nurse, you get the chance to work alongside some of the best healthcare professionals in the country within a thriving career, while enjoying the many benefits Seattle has to offer.