The current workforce changes careers more often than any other previous generation. The reasons for this development are numerous. Longer career length expectancies. Less financial motivation to stay with a single employer forever. And maybe a desire for greater meaning in life?
So often, it’s jobs that make a difference in the world that attract career migrants. If you are in the second or third decade of your career, the idea of going back to school to become a nurse might sound crazy at first.
While there are challenges to pivoting into nursing, there are also many reasons why it is actually a very logical second career option. In this article, we take a look at why healthcare might be the best place to apply your talents during the next stage of your career.
Why Nursing
One of the main reasons that many people look into healthcare careers after having already occupied a space in the professional world is that these jobs provide meaningful work. Maybe you got started in the world of advertising. Made your money. Had some fun, but simply don’t find the work as fulfilling as it used to be. Nursing, education, social work—all common landing spots.
It’s also popular because making the pivot isn’t as hard as you might expect. If you already have a college degree you’ll need only the certification. That will take about eighteen months with an accelerated program—more on that later—or however long you’d prefer if you decide to pick off the required coursework one at a time.
Finally, nurses make respectable money. No, they don’t buy Jaguars. Yes, they occupy a comfortable position in the middle class.
If you are interested in making even more money in healthcare there is room for pretty significant salary growth for people who are willing to go to graduate school. Advanced practice positions command six-figure salaries.
This will naturally prolong the timeline of your career, but you will naturally be able to work in healthcare as you take graduate classes.
Many career-changers appreciate nursing’s stability and job security in an uncertain economy. Healthcare consistently needs qualified professionals regardless of economic conditions, making it a relatively recession-proof field. This practical advantage particularly appeals to those who may have experienced layoffs or industry volatility in their previous careers.
The flexible scheduling options in nursing also attract second-career professionals. With opportunities for part-time work, compressed schedules (three 12-hour shifts per week), night shifts, or weekend-only positions, nursing can accommodate various lifestyle needs and family responsibilities that mid-career professionals often juggle.
Additionally, nursing offers diverse specialization options that allow second-career professionals to leverage their previous work experience. For example, former teachers might gravitate toward patient education roles, while those with business backgrounds might find nursing management positions particularly suitable.
How to Pivot Into Nursing
So what does it take to get certified as a nurse? As we mentioned in the last section, people who already have a college degree are in great shape. Accelerated programs are challenging, but they get you the job you want in an achievable time frame. They can generally be scheduled around a career, but the coursework itself might be time-prohibitive.
Certification-only programs are the alternative. Here, you basically enroll in college and complete only nursing classes. Your classmates will mostly be twenty-year-olds.
Will it take longer? Sure. But you’ll have the flexibility to work when you want to on your new degree. Plus, it’s easier to finance without taking loans. One thing you won’t want is to be forced into a situation where you are making interest payments on a new degree into your fifties.
Doing It Without a Degree
If you don’t have a college degree, there are still ways to pivot into nursing. Associates programs are a great first step. They will be much cheaper than university courses and they will give you a credential with which you can begin working in healthcare after two years.
ASN degrees generally won’t qualify you for full nursing responsibilities, but they can help you get your foot in the door. If you decide that you want to scale your qualifications up with a bachelor’s degree, you’ll then be able to qualify for tuition assistance with most employers.
Keep in mind that there are also lots of scholarships and grants available for people who want to migrate into healthcare. It is a career facing pretty extreme shortages. Take advantage of every possible opportunity to get assistance with the expense. A five hundred dollar grant may not feel like much in the face of a five-figure degree, but it’s money in your pocket.
Conclusion
Starting is the first step. If you are interested interested in migrating into the world of healthcare start by making little moves each day that will get you where you want to be. Begin by reviewing your state licensure requirements.
From there, find programs that are able to meet them. With a little bit of research, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding accredited options for both physical and online learning.
From there, give yourself a few months to research and apply grants and scholarships that will get you where you want to be. Slow, steady progress will get you where you want to be. Commit to the process. The world needs more healthcare heroes like you.