Why Become a Nurse in or Around Seattle, Washington?

Nursing is a high-demand, fast-growing occupation that is rife 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?”

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 has exacerbated the need for these frontline heroes.

Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects registered nurse employment to grow 7% from 2019 to 2029. 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 working in this region is $89,270 (as of 2019).

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 different 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 choose to specialize in a specific area of practice. You could focus your care on a patient population (e.g., pediatrics, adult health) or health condition (e.g., cancer, 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, he or she is choosing selflessness over self-preservation. After all, nursing has several occupational hazards, such as germ 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 be able to 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 be able to communicate effectively with patients and their family members.

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