Jobs in Demand: Jesse Chase on Nursing
By Emily Franks on Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Jesse Chase
Job: Licensed Practical Nurse | Employer: Lake Hamilton Health & Rehab in Hot Springs Age: 23 | Hometown: Hot Springs | Alma mater: National Park College | Degree: Technical Certificate Practical Nursing - LPN; Pursuing Associate Degree in Nursing - RN
Q&A
What is your job like on a day-to-day basis?
I work weekend option at my facility, so that I am able to go to school during the week. I am there for two 16-hour shifts on Saturday and Sunday. During my shift, I take care of almost 20 people and make sure they take their medications in a timely manner and monitor for any changes in their health. I also get to interact with many family members and provide a very patient-centered level of care.
What do you love most about your job?
My residents and their family members are without a doubt the reason I get up and go to work in the morning. I work on a long-term care hall and I have known some of my residents for over a year now, and even their relatives make me feel like I'm a part of their family. They are all very grateful to have us as their caregivers.
What advice do you have for students considering a career in nursing?
Make sure you don't neglect your physical and mental health. Have a hobby and maintain some sort of physical exercise and you will feel healthier and be able to have a strong mind for the nursing program and one day be a healthy, well-functioning nurse.
And if you're trying to decide if nursing is for you, just know that it's nothing like what you see on TV. There are very hard days, and you will be pushed harder than ever before. Those days, however, will pale in comparison to the close moments you share with your patients and their loved ones. What else would be better than to spend your life than in the service of others?
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
The most rewarding part is the feeling of purpose and knowing that you are doing something that matters. I don't go to work to make money, I go because I have people that depend on me to take care of them. When you fall in love with taking care of others, there won't be a day you wake up dreading going to work.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
WHY IT'S HOT
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing in Arkansas is expected to grow 16% from 2016 to 2026. Besides offering a competitive salary, the field of nursing is gaining popularity because of its flexibility. Adequate health care is essential across the globe, so nurses can find employment almost anywhere. Plus, the field of nursing offers a wide range of opportunities within specialties, so a nursing job can be found to suit virtually any interest or personality type.
THE MAJOR YOU'LL NEED
To become a Licensed Practical Nurse in the state of Arkansas, all you’ll need is your postsecondary certificate and LPN license. However, to become a Registered Nurse, you’ll need an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing and an RN license.
ADVANCED DEGREES
Nurses can often advance their careers with experience and continuing education. A master’s degree is required to become an Advanced Practice Nurse, a field subset with a median salary of $87,537.*
THE PAYCHECK
The median annual wage for nursing in Arkansas is $57,570. Salaries for the top 10% earned nearly $80,000.*
"If you're trying to decide if nursing is for you, just know that it's nothing like what you see on TV. There are very hard days; you will be pushed harder than ever before. Those days, however, will pale in comparison to the close moments you share with your patients and their loved ones."
– Jesse
*SOURCE: United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, PayScale.com
