Celebrate National Student Nurse Day on May 8
Why pursue a career in nursing? Ask a nursing student, and they’ll likely talk about a chance to make a tangible, positive difference in people’s lives. In addition to doing good, however, a nursing career also offers many practical occupational benefits. Nurses enjoy a relatively quick path to entering the healthcare workforce, flexible educational opportunities, and a competitive average salary — $75,330 in 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
And once a year, nurses-in-training get recognized on National Student Nurses Day. Celebrated on May 8, this day honors student nurses and their commitment to pursuing a career in healthcare.
What is National Student Nurses Day?
National Student Nurses Day is a time to celebrate and encourage student nurses. The day is an important part of National Nurses Week, which runs from May 6-12.
Supported by the American Nurses Association, National Student Nurses Day was first designated in 1998 and is now celebrated annually on May 8.
Why National Student Nurses Day matters
Nurses play an invaluable role in the care of patients, yet many parts of the U.S. are experiencing nursing shortages. Earlier this year, NurseJournal published a state-by-state breakdown illustrating the shortage, noting that “the gap between available jobs and people graduating nursing school continues to expand.”
This means that the student nurses of today are vital to narrowing the nursing shortages of tomorrow, which is expected to get more severe due to America’s growing — and aging — population. By celebrating National Student Nurses Day, we can offer appreciation to those students who have chosen to pursue a career in nursing as well as encourage others to consider a future in this role.
What Student Nurses Do
Even while in training, student nurses play a role in healthcare. They are required to be professional, flexible, and emotionally stable even in stressful situations. As part of their training, they practice performing patient assessments, ranging from taking verbal reports to administering CPR.
To become a nurse, some post-secondary education is required. Some student nurses enroll in associate degree programs that take just two to three years. Most, however, earn a bachelor’s degree, which gives them more career options. A minority choose to specialize further, going on to receive master’s or doctorate-level degrees. Student nurses generally take part in a wide variety of classroom activities as well as hands-on training in clinical settings.
National Student Nurses Day serves as an excellent opportunity to learn about the role of student nurses—and perhaps consider a career in nursing for yourself. Are you already a student nurse? If so, now is the time to learn more about the type of insurance nursing students need and consider your options for protecting your studies and career.
At NOW insurance, we offer simple, fast, and affordable professional insurance for student nurses. Find out more about student nurse insurance, and get started with an instant quote from our online app.
