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Nursing as a Second Career

Discover whether nursing is the right second career for you.

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Nursing Education and Careers

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Nursing School Listings
Browse our directory of top accredited nursing school programs and nursing degrees or find Nursing Schools by State.

Find a Nursing School
A complete listing of nursing schools in the US to help you locate nursing schools that might interest you. Search for nursing schools by location or by nursing program such as pediatric nursing or forensic nursing.

Nurse Education & Career Center
Read articles and interviews about choosing a nursing school, nursing jobs, nurse salaries, nursing scholarships and nursing career advice.

Types of Nursing Programs
Read about the different types of nursing programs to learn what school program may be right for you.

Is nursing the right career choice for me?

nursing and medical professional faces

Whether you are a college student or a seasoned professional in a different field who is looking for a career change, a nursing career can be a very rewarding professional path.

Now is a great time to become a nurse with the nursing shortage and demand for qualified nurses all over the U.S. There are many opportunities, not to mention financial aid resources, available to nursing students.

While nursing is a thriving field, deciding whether or not to become a nurse is a personal decision. Maybe you you are intrigued by popular television shows like Greys Anatomy, Scrubs or ER and think a nursing career would be a stimulating day job. Or maybe you have always been interested in helping people and are a natural caretaker.

Whatever the reason, if you are considering the nursing field, get more nursing career information in the Nursing School Education Resource Center and continue to read the nursing education Q&A below.

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I already have a bachelor's degree. Can I earn a nursing degree faster?

Yes. Many schools offer Second Degree BSN, Accelerated BSN or Direct Entry MSN programs designed specifically to allow students with previous bachelor's degrees to complete their nursing degrees on an accelerated schedule.

Can I work full time while earning my nursing degree?

Yes. Many schools offer part-time programs designed to accommodate the schedules of working students.

Can I earn a nursing degree faster with medical field experience?

Because each person's educational and work experience are unique, the best way to figure out if yours will allow you to gain advanced placement in a nursing program is to talk to the schools you're interested in directly. You may want to use the "Additional questions or comments" box on the Request Info form for this purpose.

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I'm over 40 years old. Am I too old to begin a nursing career?

No. While you should keep in mind that nursing is a physically (and at times emotionally) demanding job, if you have an aptitude for math and science, thrive on working in an intense atmosphere, and love working with people, there's no reason why you shouldn't consider beginning a career in nursing. If you're not convinced that your age won't be a handicap, here are some things to consider:

  • According to the 2004 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (the survey is conducted every four years and the 2008 results will be coming out the end of 2009), the average RN age is 46.8 years, with just over 41 percent of RNs being 50 years or older. Only 8 percent of RNS were under the age of 30, compared with 25 percent in 1980.
  • According to the same survey, the average age of nursing program graduates is currently 32.5, and this average is increasing every year—indicating that more and more students are entering the field after having pursued another career.
  • Nursing school administrators report that second-career nursing students typically bring an energy and intensity of focus to their studies that their younger counterparts lack, and are often top performers academically.
  • Potential employers value the maturity, professionalism and advanced decision-making skills that older workers bring to nursing.

Is it difficult for an older student/nurse to get into a school or find work?

No. It would be illegal for any school or employer to take your age into consideration while evaluating your application. What's more, with nursing school enrollment just beginning to increase after a long decline and no sign of an end to the nation-wide shortage of nurses, both nursing schools and health care providers are actively seeking to recruit non-traditional nursing students—including second-career students.

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What sort of physical demands must nurses meet on the job?

You should keep in mind that the demands of nursing will vary widely depending on where you work and in what capacity. Working in a hospital or nursing home may be very demanding, for example, while working in an out-patient clinic, government agency or school may be much less stressful. Similarly, working as a staff nurse may be more physically demanding than working as a nurse administrator. Depending on where you work, some of the physical and mental stresses you'll face may include:

  • Shift work, working on-call, or working weekends and holidays
  • Being on your feet for long periods of time
  • Moving (lifting and supporting) patients
  • Working in inadequately staffed facilities
  • Working with critically/chronically ill people and their families
  • Working in emergency situations

Tips for choosing the right nursing program.

To read more on these topics, please visit the Choosing the Nursing Program That's Right for You and Types of Nursing Programs sections of our Nursing School Education Resource Center. To learn more about upgrading your education in the nursing field, please see our Nursing Continuing Education page.

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