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Nursing as a Second Career
Featured Author:
Laura Wisniewski, RN
Laura Wisniewski RN is an educator, speaker and writer with 25 years of front line nursing experience. Her company, Nursing Voice Communications, provides empowering, solution-oriented presentations on nursing workforce issues. Her articles encourage and challenge nurses to improve healthcare.
See all of Laura’s featured articles here.
To learn more about Laura, please visit her website.
More articles from this author:
Laura Wisniewski RN, BS, CIC
Job outlook
In the current economic environment, financial stability is of great concern. Nursing jobs are plentiful and career opportunities are endless. We are in the midst of the worst nursing shortage in history, which is predicted to worsen over the next decade. However, shortages are regional and health care delivery is under going continuous change; requiring nurses to be both proactive and flexible. Nursing skills are highly portable, creating an advantage over many other professions.
“Because I can always get a job”, should never be the primary reason for becoming a nurse; however, monetary considerations are extremely important in the real-world. Nursing offers the ability to enjoy a comfortable life-style, provide for the needs of a family; while engaging in meaningful work.
Develop a plan
Simultaneously juggling, personal and financial needs, while returning to school may seem overwhelming. As with reaching any goal, developing a flexible plan is essential. What do you want to achieve? How can you get there? How long will it take? Who can help you? You will reach your goal of becoming a nurse, much sooner with support than you ever could alone.
Do your homework and investigate the options and resources that are available to you. Research the nursing job market in your area. Compare nursing programs and find the one that is best for you. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement. Investigate grants and financial assistance. Ask other nurses for advice. Consult guidance and financial counselors to assist with your plan.
After graduation
It can be especially challenging to enter a field as a novice, after being an expert in another. Be patient with yourself, as you make the transition. Assimilating nursing knowledge requires additional “on the job training”, in the form of a preceptorship. Resist comparing yourself skill for skill to experienced nurses; instead ask for help and find great role models to emulate. Connecting with mentors and joining professional organizations will greatly accelerate your career development.
Next page: How Nurses Can Help
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ianursing22
6 months ago
4 comments
Career change may be difficult for some; especially shifting to the nursing field. I especially admire those people who have so much compassion in their hearts who are willing to serve and care for other people despite their age! Very inspiring story...
tobern7
7 months ago
2 comments
Shirly's stroy like as my dream to be a nurse. After my mother passed away in the hospital at the Holy cross Providence Hospital in Northridge, Ca, I want to be a nurse and help senior patients. In my experience, the all hospital's health staff did not care to mother, I looked doctors and nurses did not wash their hands and touched patients; therefore, the patients infected to bacteria and died at the hospital. They did not care because the patients are old. Many young nurses do not care correctly to patients because they do not know well how treat the old aged patients. It is sad even though young nurses are going to be old in the future why they did not care and willing to be good care to them. The nursing industries need to be a change to take care of seniors correctly and well. If they are like young age, their behaviors are different than they are treating old patients.
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maxleo
over 1 year ago
24 comments
Hopefully, I will finish next year my master in nursing and I will be able to live my childhood dream: helping people. Now I work in our family business and I like it but this isn't my vocation, I love to help and care for ones who need attention. It is never late to change you career, it is hard but everything good in this life is hard to get.
jerika12
about 2 years ago
2 comments
I have been a medical transcriptionist for 26 years and I have recently been laid off from my job due to it going to voice recognition. I have always wanted to become a nurse, but am I nuts at the age of 48 to be going back to school to get a nursing degree? I know in my heart and soul that I am a caretaker and love helping people. Any suggestions?
1fashionista
almost 3 years ago
2 comments
I got my LPN license in 1968 worked for quite a few yrs & traveled overseas with my husband. I decided at 35 y/o to go back to school & get my ADN. I'm working on my BS & hopefully would like to get an MSN. One of
the colleges in So Ca has an accelerated BSN-MSN program. it's a lot of work but If you really want t do it go for
Dream iBig
HealingtheHelper
about 3 years ago
4 comments
The best money I ever spent was hiring a math tutor when I returned to school for my BS degree. She helped to build my confidence and correct small mistakes early. I was able to learn at my own pace and understand the concepts. Two very helpful books were the Algebra Survival Guide and Workbook, both can be found at www.amazon.com
As far a science goes, it is most memorization. I recommend purchasing study guides such as those designed for CLEP exams. Make your own flash cards, as you recall the content on a card take it out of the pile. Your pile of cards will get smaller and smaller--don't study what you already know, its a waste of time. The most important thing is to believe in yourself. No matter how long or what it takes, make the decision to find the way to your goal. Be kind to yourself and ask for help. YOU CAN DO IT!
Norana
about 3 years ago
4 comments
Since age 21 I wanted to be a nurse. Back then I was accepted in a pre-nursing program, but did not attend because I was afraid that I would not make the grade since I was not good in math, and not much better in the sciences. Since then, I have obtained a Bachelor's in Business Administraiton, and a Master's in Human Resources Management. After being let go from my $80K a year banking job, I have now taken the opportunity to fulfill my dream of becoming a nurse - at the grand old age of 47!!!!. However, the uncertainty in math and science is still handing around. Any advice, suggestions, words of wisdon???
dleg6380
about 3 years ago
2 comments
I am 43 years old and I am an accountant. I have 72K in student loan debt and I am 5 classes away from a MBA degree. I hate accounting. I worked as a CNA for 9 years until I injured my back and had to quit. I was told by a doctor to give up my dream. Well 7 years ago I had surgery and I am now back to normal. I really want to pursue the accelerated BSN degree but that is 30K more in student debt and I have 2 kids in college, 1 is in last year and the other will be in the second year. My husband thinks I am bi-polar and crazy. He says we can't afford it and that I have to pay the loans back, but with a accounting job making 40K a year, is not going to help much in paying the loans back and I hate the job. I would rather help others than deal with peoples financial messes everyday. I think taking the LPN or ADN a waste of money since I would want to advance the the BSN eventually because that is just me. I say 16 months of suffering will pay off in the end and a lot faster then going to community college way... what do you think?
jnt03
over 4 years ago
2 comments
I was a teen parent I am know 33 with my oldest graduating H.S. in June. so far the Lord Jesus has blessed with a good job to take care of my family. I am happily married and with the boost from my husband and children they say I should go for my dream. Not only am I going to fulfill this dream on my own but with my daughter when she graduates. Yay :):) Good Luck and God Bless everyone who has the heart to go after there dreams no matter what age.
ukbluecat
over 4 years ago
2 comments
A priest for fifteen years and one who was ministered not only in parishes but hospitals and military bases, I decided to leave the priesthood and marry. I have a BA and an Masters of Divinity plus hospital ministry certification and counseling certification. I need the eight or nine course in math and sciences to be prepared for nursing school. At 52 years of age I feel like I am 20 years old with an energy level to match but wonder if hospital employers will be fearful of my age. I am interested in ICU, oncology, and/or nursing to TBI patients. Any feedback about my doing the prerequisites and applying for the acclerated nursing programs?
UKbuecats@aol.com
bose
over 4 years ago
2 comments
i studied masscommunications for my ist degree and even went further to have an mba but now i need to go into nursing but am confused where to start is being an CNA or LPN or straight to being an RN?
Account Removed
over 4 years ago
I too had been a Commercial Accounts Representative/Marketing Consultant for over 21 years...with the state of the economy, the outsourcing of customer service positions to third world countries, plus the monetary benefits...summarizes in a nutshell why a latent career change to being an RN is bar none supreme. thanks for the clear, concise, and informative article...it put words into my mouth and will help me deal with interview questions pertaining to the careen change.