How to Launch a Second Career in Nursing: Take the Best Steps Today

Secondary professions offer more than just an opportunity for course correction; they provide the chance to transform employment into a calling. While nursing undoubtedly presents challenging times, and the field as a whole (particularly at present) still needs enhancement, it remains among the most fulfilling career options available.

The help that you can offer as a nurse is both small scale and large scale, allowing you to help make the world a better place one patient at a time.

There are also so many ways to customize your nursing career. What this means is that, even if you aren’t a good fit working in a high-stress situation like a hospital, you can find a great job that allows you to use your nursing background, guaranteed.

Whether you work in the healthcare sector or outside of it, whether you work for others or for yourself, nursing gives you options.

There are many reasons people turn to nursing as a career later on. You might have recently been hospitalized and been inspired by some incredible nurses. You might have always been interested in healthcare but didn’t realize how many unique ways there were to become a nurse and to customize your nursing career.

Second careers can be daunting, but you know so much more about yourself and what you want out of your life and your career. Done right and with emphasis on introspection and self-reflection, you can continue to make the right decisions for your future.

What Makes a Great Nurse?

There are more than enough roles available that everyone can find their place in nursing, but there are some traits that certainly make some better nurses than others.

If assisting people doesn't appeal to you, or if being around messy aspects of work makes you uncomfortable, consider exploring different positions within healthcare that might align more with your preferences should becoming part of this field be what you aim for.

Great nurses are great carers. They also tend to have excellent communication skills, problem solving skills, and empathy. Nurses also need to be great at multi-tasking, staying calm in difficult situations, and have good attention to detail.

That is why parents make such excellent nurses, especially those who haven truly risen to the challenge of parenting. As a mom, if you’re looking to start a second career in nursing, know that raising your children is a great place to get started, and this guide will help you continue your journey.

How to Get Started with a Second Career in Nursing

There are numerous paths to begin your second career in nursing. The most suitable choice for you will vary based on your history and requirements.

If you don’t already have a degree in this field, your first step is going to be earning a bachelors degree in nursing If continuing to work is necessary, your choices will vary since you might have to seek out a part-time or an accelerated degree program that fits with your current timetable. Alternatively, you could explore other possibilities. pursue your bachelor of science in nursing through an online program , which can provide even greater flexibility.

To help you get into nursing, here are a few of the most popular routes:

Accelerated BSN

The accelerated BSN is available for those who already have a bachelor’s degree. To accelerate your BSN, you need to have several prerequisite courses under your belt, but the good news is that you don’t need to have completed all of them in your undergraduate.

What this means is that you can accelerate your nursing aspirations regardless of whether you have a STEM-based bachelor’s degree or one in any other field.

Before beginning the program, ensure you've completed the required prerequisites. Should you still lack some, contact an enrollment advisor who can guide you towards available resources. These may include either onsite classes near your location or online alternatives. While you don't need every credit squared away for admission, make sure they're all done prior to the program’s commencement.

You might also qualify for comparable credits. While there are no promises, make sure to consult with an enrollment advisor to determine which prerequisites you still require and which credits can be applied towards your program.

Direct-Entry MSN

The MSN is typically the minimum requirement to become an APRN. With direct-entry MSNs, however, you work towards your RN qualification and a non-nurse specialization.

One of the top options today, for example, allows you to earn a Certified Nursing Leadership certification. This CNL certification makes you more prepared to work in leadership and policy roles.

This is ideal for those who want to provide greater change to nursing and healthcare as a whole. Leading and managing nurses requires a different approach than specializing in oncology, and we need more trained nurses in leadership roles to inspire lasting change in the industry.

It’s important to stress that while you won’t be an APRN, you will graduate and be able to become an RN. The difference between the accelerated BSN vs MSN direct entry program This MSN program also enables you to obtain a CNL certification and is perfect for individuals looking to swiftly pivot their secondary career into an advanced nursing position.

Part-Time vs Full-Time Education

The most effective approach to switch careers and enter nursing would be through a full-time degree program. In fact, enrolling in a direct-entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program could enable you to qualify as a Registered Nurse (RN) with a Certified Nurse Leader (CNL) designation within 20 months.

If you are already working and don’t want or cannot take the time off, however, then there are part-time online BSN degrees available. These are designed for those who already work in healthcare and are therefore able to juggle work and study.

When it comes to your education you will also have the choice between online and on-campus education. There will always be clinical hour requirements, and most online universities include on-campus days (around three, typically); however, you will almost always benefit from choosing an online provider instead.

Select an online degree, and you can pick the most suitable program for your needs while also saving money on housing and relocation expenses. Individuals planning to begin a new career later in life frequently prefer not to disrupt their established lifestyles and avoid major upheavals; thus, an online degree serves this purpose excellently.

Take Your Time

With so many options, both in your personal life and also in your career, it can be easy to misstep. This is already your second career, so it can feel like there is even more pressure to get it right. The good news is that no matter what area you specialize in, there are ways to customize your career and find a good fit.

The only thing you need to worry about is choosing the area of medicine you are most interested in, or alternatively, the demographic you want to help the most.

Maybe you know someone who had a negative experience at a mental health facility or requires such services. This might lead you to concentrate on mental health as your area of expertise.

There are four main types of APRNs. There are nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and also nurse midwives. Even with these four types, there are many sub specializations to choose from as well.

So long as you are academically interested in the area of medicine you specialize in or have a passion for the group that you want to focus on (family, children, women, the elderly, and so on) you can’t go wrong. You can work in clinical settings, in emergency settings, in private settings, and even outside of the care sector.

There are ways forward as well. If you need to specialize in a new role there are post-master’s certifications. There are also further education options that can open up your career to new roles. You could earn an MENP or a DNP and be better prepared to take a leadership role.

Healthcare is a vast field and it is only growing. Telehealth is set to change healthcare and nursing as we know it, and its future means many new opportunities for nurses, and those looking to become nurses in the next few years.

In short, if you want to pursue a second career in nursing, you have a bright future ahead of you. With so many directions to take your career, you can stay in control and enjoy working in a position that keeps you feeling fulfilled.

Advancing Your Nursing Career

Working as a registered nurse can be an immensely satisfying career, particularly when you remain adaptable and investigate the various positions and duties within nursing. Such exploration might provide exactly what you require to make informed choices ahead, and it could also assist you in increasing your earnings.

Travel nurses usually earn above what their full-time equivalents do Because these positions address critical shortages, travel nurses find themselves in a strong bargaining situation. Additionally, this experience can help you gain deeper insights into who you are and where you see your nursing career heading.

Recruiters specializing in travel nursing collaborate with medical institutions facing a significant need for nurse professionals and are prepared to invest resources to achieve appropriate staff numbers. This is precisely why they operate effectively. travel nurses’ salary is considerably above average, though it fluctuates based on the state and the healthcare environment. Certain traveling nursing firms also provide comprehensive benefit packages for their nurses, which may include health coverage, life insurance, or assistance with retirement planning.

After you determine the route you wish to take, you should begin exploringMSN programs. Similar to how there are various ways to obtain a BSN, multiple pathways exist to achieve an MSN. You have the choice of concentrating solely on earning your MSN or aiming higher with aspirations towards obtaining a doctoral degree, which encompasses MSN-level coursework.

Pursuing a doctoral degree can be highly advantageous if you aspire to hold a leadership role. This might involve working at a hospital, or even running your own clinic, depending on both the specific position and the regulations of the state where you reside.

Advancing your career is the single best way to put yourself in a position to take control of your future. With a higher qualification you can find excellent job offers both within and outside of healthcare, allowing you to always make the best step forward.

Exploring Career Possibilities Beyond Nursing

Your priorities might shift over time. Even though a long-term career in healthcare could be ideal for you during this stage, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll remain the best choice indefinitely. As you age or as circumstances in your personal life evolve, you may find that adjusting your professional path aligns better with your lifestyle needs. Numerous factors could prompt you to switch directions, and maximizing your chances of landing your next dream role means exploring all available opportunities.

Telehealth and new roles are going to be changing nursing within healthcare , but those aren’t the only roles you should keep your eye on. Knowing where you can take your career outside of the health sector can allow you to continually make the best decision for yourself and your family. If you want to get out of healthcare, then you need to know where you can use your nursing experience to continue to help others–just in different ways.

You can work as part of special projects, for example. From construction, to movie sets, to theme parks, there are so many businesses and projects that need on-site healthcare and at the very least nurses to be a part of their health and safety team as consultants . You can provide that essential care and expertise almost anywhere.

You can work in policy, and help nurses everywhere get better support and improve their own quality of care. You can work in education and train the next generation of nurses.

There are numerous pathways for shifting your nursing expertise beyond the field when necessary, and being aware of these alternatives can assist you in making well-informed and assured choices regarding your professional progression. Should you wish to take things at a slower pace, various routes are available. If your present work environment feels monotonous, there’s always an opportunity to move into fresh and stimulating settings.

Your second career in nursing is going to be a great one, so long as you make the best decision for your interests and your needs. From choosing the right program to choosing the right job, with the flexibility and importance of nursing you will always have options available.

Are you studying for a second career in nursing, or are you thinking about it? Leave us a comment.

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