Graduating and entering the workforce at any time can be intimidating, but that may be especially true during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
A group of recently graduated nurses now working at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray shared what it's been like entering the workforce during this critical time.
"We're here, we wanted to be nurses. We want to take care of people - even during COVID times that's still our goal," said Kaylee Mitchell.
The COVID-19 pandemic has put the spotlight, and in some places a strain on healthcare professionals, exposing the need for more critical care workers.
Nurse Megan Tinkam is proud to have joined in the profession. "I really think nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system," said Tinkham.
Alisha Bowling, nurse manager for the IMC Maternity Unit said, "I think it's really brought out the strength in the profession and its really brought people together and made us stronger."
If you're looking for a new career with a little more job security, it's nice to know that nursing is a field that is a constant. "We're always going to need nurses. There's never going to be a time nurses are not needed," said Suzanne Anderson, nurse administrator with IMC.
Anderson said the need for nurses now and in the future is great, and the path to a nursing degree is a fantastic career choice. She said it is important to keep these three things in mind when selecting a program:
- Is the program accredited?
- What is the school's pass rates for nursing boards?
- Does the school offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)? If it does, that may open a lot of doors when it comes to leadership during your nursing career.
While job security and pay is a big advantage in the nursing industry, the emotional relationships that are built between nurses and their patients is a prescription for a fulfilling nursing career. Nurse Jessica Knott said, "To have patients tell you that they appreciate you and they appreciate all that you have done for them at the end of their stay - it's very rewarding and keeps you going."
Click here to explore open positions in the nursing field with Intermountain Healthcare.
