5 Eye-Opening Facts About Nursing

Nursing is more than a job. It's the backbone of healthcare. From emergency rooms to rural clinics, nurses serve as the first responders, care coordinators, and emotional anchors of the medical system. But even as one of the most common professions worldwide, nursing is often misunderstood.

Whether you're a current nursing student, considering a nursing internship abroad, or exploring the path to becoming a nurse practitioner or CRNA, here are six lesser-known but powerful truths about this vital career.

> Explore Go-Elective’s Pre-Nursing & Nursing Internships Overseas

Nurses Can Specialize in Dozens of Fields

Nursing is one of the most versatile healthcare professions. Whether you love fast-paced trauma care or long-term patient relationships, there’s a specialty that fits your passion.

Common Nursing Specialties Include:

Pediatric Nursing – Supporting the health of children and families in clinics or children’s hospitals.
Oncology Nursing – Helping patients through cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
Critical Care Nursing – Delivering high-stakes care in ICUs or emergency departments.
Mental Health Nursing – Managing psychiatric conditions in both inpatient and community settings.
Geriatric Nursing – Focusing on elderly care, including chronic disease and mobility support.
Community Health Nursing – Promoting wellness in underserved areas and conducting outreach.
Perioperative Nursing – Working in surgical teams before, during, and after operations.

These specialties open doors to varied and fulfilling careers, including international opportunities through Go Elective’s global internships.

You Can Study Nursing Online

Online learning has transformed nursing education. Today, many accredited nursing schools offer hybrid or fully online programs that allow students to balance coursework with work or family life.

While clinical placements must still be completed in person, online nursing programs make it possible to:

Earn your degree without relocating
Continue working while advancing your career
Study on a flexible schedule

For students considering a career in nursing, a pre-nursing internship abroad can complement online coursework with immersive clinical exposure.

Nurses Save Lives — Every Single Day

It’s easy to overlook how essential nurses are to modern medicine. From triaging emergencies to managing complex chronic illnesses, nurses:

Monitor critical symptoms
Administer life-saving medication
Comfort patients in their most vulnerable moments

Nursing is not just supportive care — it’s life-saving, leadership-level work in real time.

Nursing Is One of the Most Widespread and Demanding Careers in the U.S.

With more than 4.3 million registered nurses, nursing is the largest healthcare profession in the United States. But it’s not just common — it’s deeply complex.

Nurses must be skilled in:

Clinical procedures
Pharmacology and physiology
Crisis management
Patient and family communication

Nurses wear many hats, often within a single shift — making it one of the most dynamic roles in healthcare.

Nurses Are Highly Educated and Professionally Trained

Becoming a nurse takes more than compassion — it requires formal training, rigorous exams, and hands-on experience.

Education typically includes:

Core coursework in anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology
Simulation labs and clinical rotations
NCLEX-RN or other licensure exams

For students pursuing additional experience before or during school, Go Elective’s nursing internships in Kenya and Tanzania provide supervised placements in real hospital settings. An ideal way to prepare for a future in nursing.

Bonus Fact:

Nursing Offers Unmatched Career Stability and Growth

In uncertain times, nursing remains one of the most secure professions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing job growth is projected to increase by 6% through 2032 — faster than most occupations.

Pathways for career advancement include:

Becoming a Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Specializing in areas like neonatal or trauma care
Earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Transitioning into global public health roles

Internships, continuing education, and international experience can accelerate this growth. For many, it begins with a well-structured clinical internship — like those offered through Go Elective.

Final Thoughts

Nursing is a career that challenges, empowers, and inspires. With countless specialties, strong job security, and meaningful human connection, it’s no wonder that nursing continues to be one of the most respected professions worldwide.

If you’re considering the path, don’t just study nursing — experience it. Join a nursing internship abroad to build your confidence, expand your perspective, and start your career with purpose.

> Apply to Go Elective Nursing Internships Abroad