A career in nursing: Not just a job, but a life-changing one

Sabrina Mamata won a gold medal from the Graduate Nursing Department of Bangladesh Medical University for her good results. She is currently working there as a teaching assistant. Her experience says that the nursing profession not only guarantees a job, but also opens up endless possibilities for the youth.

International-standard profession

Nursing is now not just a supporting profession, but a full-fledged profession of international standard. The role of nurses has become essential in modern healthcare along with doctors. The opportunity to serve people, a wide range of work opportunities in the country and abroad, and the possibility of becoming an entrepreneur - all of these combined make the decision to study nursing a life-changing career for the youth.

Opportunities at a Glance

Recently, the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) has appointed 3,512 nurses to the BCS Nursing Non-Cadre. In addition to government jobs, there is a huge demand for nurses in private hospitals, NGOs, and international organizations. Not only that, Bangladeshi nurses are working successfully in the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, and the Middle East.
In addition, specialized nursing has additional benefits. Gaining expertise in various fields including intensive care, heart disease, child health, mental health, and community health increases job opportunities both at home and abroad.

Common misconceptions

Some misconceptions still exist in society about nursing. Many people think that nurses are only assistants to doctors. In reality, they also play an important role in research, teaching, policy formulation, and leadership. Although many people think that nursing is limited to bedside care, in reality, nurses have responsibilities in various sectors including ICU, operation theater, school health, and corporate health programs.
In addition, although it is considered a profession for women, many boys are currently entering nursing and the demand for male nurses is increasing abroad. This idea that there is no career growth is also wrong. Masters, PhD, high salaries and promotions abroad—all of which provide endless opportunities for advancement.

Why is demand increasing in the world

The need for skilled nurses has increased worldwide due to population growth, care for the elderly, and protection of maternal and child health. At the same time, there is an international nurse shortage. Modernization of the health sector—such as telehealth, robotic surgery, and critical care technology—has also made skilled nurses essential.

Inspirational stories

Nursing success stories are inspiring the youth. Dhaka Nursing College student Nahida Akhter is currently working as a registered nurse in the United States with a doctorate degree. Sadia Ivy, who studied at Sylhet Nursing College, is now engaged in teaching and research at Hiroshima University in Japan.
In addition, Ashikur Rahman and Humayun Kabir are doing PhDs at a renowned university in Canada. Their success proves that Bangladeshi nurses are also capable of leading in the international arena.

Opportunity to become an entrepreneur

Nurses are not limited to jobs if they want, but can also move forward as entrepreneurs. They have the opportunity to establish private care centers, child care centers for children, home care services for the elderly, or specialized nursing training centers.

Where to study

Currently, there are more than a hundred nursing colleges in the country, both public and private. There are opportunities to study nursing under Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Jessore University and Bangladesh Medical University. It is possible to obtain degrees ranging from diploma to BSc, Post Basic BSc, MSc and PhD.