Registered nurses, nurse practitioners, nursing assistants, and owners of nurse staffing agencies are all well-versed in the ins and outs of their field. For example, you may have heard that there is a scarcity of nurses in the United States.
A nurse’s income and the size of the field may be familiar to you. However, if you are like most people, you may be unaware of several fascinating facts regarding nurses and their work. The following are some interesting tidbits about nursing that you may not have known.
1. It has been around for a while now
The history of nursing is an excellent place to begin our list of interesting facts about the profession. In the Roman Empire, nurses were first documented in 300 A.D.
You could find this era’s version of a hospital in almost every major city. Nursing didn’t become better and more prevalent until the Middle Ages.
2. The contemporary nursing profession owes a lot to Florence Nightingale
During the Crimean War in the 1850s, Florence utilized her mathematical and statistical expertise to illustrate the influence of cleanliness on reducing fatality rates.
On the other hand, her parents were initially opposed to working as a young lady at a hospital.
3. The first nursing school was Bellevue Hospital School of Nursing in Washington, D.C.
The Bellevue Hospital School of Nursing in New York City was founded in 1873 and provided a one-year curriculum based on Florence Nightingale’s teachings.
The New England Hospital for Women and Massachusetts General Hospital started nursing programs soon after Bellevue opened.
4. In the United States, nursing is regarded as the most ethical and truthful profession
Suppose you want to become a registered nurse. In that case, you should know that according to a Gallup poll conducted every year, Americans have consistently rated nurses as the most honest and ethical among various occupations.
Engineers, physicians, pharmacists, police officers, psychologists, and even clergy ran for the top slot.
5. A career in nursing is one of the most highly regarded professions
The 100 best jobs, according to U.S. News & World Report are chosen for their potential to provide a wide range of favorable attributes. These positions pay well, are complex, provide opportunities for advancement, and allow for an excellent work-life balance.
In addition to nurse practitioner (#3), registered nurse (#37), and nurse anesthetist (#39), the list featured a variety of nursing jobs.
6. Nurses may be physicians, too.
It’s true. An advanced nursing degree may be obtained by a doctor of philosophy in nursing (Ph.D.) or a Doctor in Nursing Practice (DNP). Because it is the highest nursing degree obtainable, a DNP holder is considered a real expert in their field.
7. There are more than a hundred different nursing careers to pick from
Many advanced degrees are available in 104 disciplines. Because of this, nursing is a very flexible profession. Most nurses specialize in a different area or further their education and career.
8. Nurses walk a 5k every shift
Compared to the general population, nurses walk six miles every shift. Every 12-hour shift, nurses walk an average of four to five miles.
9. The nursing profession is expected to expand in the future.
In addition to its current size, the nursing industry will continue expanding. By 2029, the number of registered nurses employed should rise by 7%.
If you are a nurse staffing service owner, this indicates that your company has the potential to expand.
10. Moreover, half of all health profession students are nursing students
The majority of students in health care majors are nursing students. Even though R.N.s make up a significant portion of the healthcare business, this is still an intriguing statistic to contemplate.
11. Linda Richards was the first person in the United States to get a diploma in nursing
The first American to get a nursing degree was Linda Richards. In 1873, she became the first graduate of the New England Hospital for Women and Children’s brand-new nursing program.
12. The educational requirements for professional nurses are constantly changing
There was a 32% increase in the number of graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from 2013 to 2017, even though registered nurses still make up the majority of active nurses.
Regardless of their profession, nurses are a treasure. All phases of life need a specific sort of caretaker. When it comes to becoming a nurse, you are an essential part of the team.