In addition to dealing with a variety of medical-related duties, nurses are expected to be good listeners and sensitively answer patients' questions.

Sally Pierce told the Sun News that she found inspiration working in the pediatric and nursery division of a hospital, where she "accomplished something important" by giving encouragement to new mothers.

She explained that the skills she learned on the job will be valuable in a variety of settings, saying: "Moms all over the world have the same questions and need the same information."

Registered nurses make up the largest occupation within healthcare, according to the Department of Labor (DOL), with 2.5 million jobs - 59 per cent of which are in hospitals.

Those who wish to pursue a career in nursing should get a bachelor's degree, associate's degree or a diploma from a nursing program.

Median yearly earnings of registered nurses in the US were $57,280 in May 2006, DOL figures reveal. However, these salaries vary based on the type of job being performed and its location.