Why Become a Nurse in San Antonio
Registered nurses make up the largest individual segment of Texas' workforce, with more than 210,000 employed in the state as of 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Despite this, the Lone Star State is facing a massive shortage of skilled nurses, posing major challenges for healthcare providers — as well as for the health and well-being of Texans.
The Texas Workforce Commission estimates that by 2026, the number of registered nurses working in the state will have grown by as much as 25% from just 10 years earlier. That translates to around 46,203 new registered nurse positions — in addition to the large number of positions that will need filled as a result of the coming wave of retirements.
Unsurprisingly, this makes registered nurses — especially those with a BSN degree — highly sought after in Texas and across the country, which is good news for aspiring nurses. Not only is it possible to earn a comfortable living — nurses in Texas earned a median annual wage of $72,890 in 2018 — some hospitals are even turning to signing-on bonuses and other incentives to entice qualified nurses.
A Proud History of Nursing Excellence
In 1931, University of the Incarnate Word became the first school west of the Mississippi River to offer an accredited BSN education; however, the school’s history with nursing dates back even further. Before the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word founded the University in 1881, they opened the Santa Rosa Infirmary in 1869, providing desperately needed medical care to people of all faiths and nationalities.
To this day, UIW nursing students, faculty and staff remain devoted to the Sisters’ mission of serving the underserved, whether through local clinics, food drives, health fairs or medical mission trips. UIW is also committed to producing the nursing workforce of the future. Our Accelerated BSN track builds on this commitment by helping to graduate more skilled nurses and meet the rapidly growing demand.
Do You Have What It Takes to Make A Great Nurse?
Nursing is a calling — one that requires a special set of characteristics:
- Compassionate — Taking care of people can be a lot of work, making it essential that you love what you do. Not only that, there’s evidence suggesting compassionate care leads to better patient outcomes.
- Empathetic — As a nurse, you have to be able to put yourself in your patients’ shoes while also taking care to not let the tougher parts of the job weigh on you too much.
- Advocates — With health literacy in the U.S. shockingly low, nurses often find themselves being a voice for their patients.
- Patient — Nursing is an extremely rewarding profession, but it can be frustrating at times. Not every patient, family member or even hospital staff member will be easy to deal with, making patience essential for your own well-being.
- Good communicators — Between ensuring patients and their family members understand what is being done and why, and keeping other medical staff apprised of a patient’s condition, clear and effective communication skills are a must.
- Detail-oriented — Whether it’s recognizing subtle changes in a patient’s condition, keeping track of meds or charting, nurses must be meticulous in their attention to details.
- Calm under pressure — It’s no secret that nursing can be stressful at times, requiring you to think and act quickly and calmly.
- Curious — The best nurses are lifelong learners. They keep abreast of the latest practices, and they go looking for answers when their knowledge is lacking.
For More Information
If you think you have what it takes to become a nurse, contact us today to learn more about how you can earn your degree in as few as 16 months through our second-degree Accelerated BSN track in San Antonio.