Are you looking for meaningful work and contemplating a bold move to make a difference in the lives of others? Now is the right time to pursue nursing as a second career. Indeed, the demand for nurses is projected to remain steady over the next decade, with projected growth of six percent, outpacing all other professions. 

Healthcare services are expected to expand as the older population requires care for chronic illnesses such as diabetes. If you're motivated to become a nightingale as a secondary career, consider this guide for paving the way to a rewarding profession in nursing.

Nursing Degree and Programs

Research nursing as a second career programs for pathways that best align with your current lifestyle and goals. While you may have to make sacrifices in your daily schedule, pick the path that allows a work-life balance you can manage. 

Various nursing programs are available, from your local community college's Associate's Degree in Nursing to the more advanced Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Some universities even offer accelerated BSN programs for those with a Bachelor's degree in another field. 

Consider the differences between each option:

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

•          Opportunities for higher pay in some hospitals.

•          There are shorter paths to additional education should you get an MSN.

•          Known for having higher pass rates for the NCLEX-RN exam.

•          Prepares you for more advanced career opportunities in nursing.

Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN)

•          Offers you a faster track to job placement.

•          Less expensive than the BSN.

•          It may have fewer admission requirements than the BSN.

•          You may transfer to a BSN program should you decide to advance your education. 

Prep for Nursing School Admissions

Prerequisites

The most essential step to becoming a nurse is mastering the admission process. Most nursing programs require anatomy and physiology, chemistry, biology, and psychology prerequisites. You must complete these with no less than a "C" average per course. 

However, because the competition is tough for acceptance into nursing school, you should aim high and commit to getting the best grades possible. Your preliminary studies will build the foundation you need for nursing as a second career.

Application

Prepare an application that boosts you ahead of the competition. When listing your career experience, consider how your current career may have cross-functional skills that you will use in nursing. Becoming a nurse as a second career requires analytical skills, as well as people skills. 

Consider what you bring to nursing as a second career, and write a compelling personal statement you can use on your resume as well. You'll also want to add letters of recommendation to your application packet. Who do you know that would be willing to write a professional recommendation letter for you?

Financing

Another critical step in the admission process is exploring financial aid options for nursing programs, such as scholarships or loan forgiveness programs, available to nursing students. Leave no stone unturned in your research, and you could have your entire program funded without spending any out-of-pocket money.

Nursing School Success

The nursing school curriculum may vary according to the institution. As a general guide, you can expect to start clinical rotations by the second or third semester, during which you will be caring for patients under the supervision of a clinical RN instructor. 

Be prepared to adjust your schedule to meet the demands of classroom instruction, study time, and clinical. Balance your daily routine by setting aside two to three hours for study. If you take a full course load, which translates to 12 hours of college courses, you'll want to incorporate up to 24 hours per week for study. 

During your first semester of nursing school, you'll learn how to care for patients while studying the human body and pharmacology - how the body responds to drugs. You'll also learn medical terminology and phrases. 

Expect to attend lectures, participate in small group projects, and attend clinics if your school's curriculum begins clinical earlier than the second semester.  

The Nursing Exam

The NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) is a standardized test regulated by state boards to determine an individual's readiness for the nursing profession. After you take a moment to breathe, you'll want to dive into study materials and simulations to ace the nursing exam.  

The test is designed to measure your critical thinking skills and test your knowledge through case studies. It includes a variety of question formats, with fifteen exploratory questions that will not count toward your final score. Expect the majority of questions to be multiple-choice. You can also expect to see fill-in-the-blank, multimedia questions with graphs and charts, and ordered response questions. 

After you've passed the NCLEX exam, you'll need to pay any associated fees to get licensed in your respective state. Cheers! You're now a nurse.

Job Search

When you're ready to start your job search, explore organizations or facilities for nursing jobs that will most likely fit your lifestyle regarding day shift or evening shift positions. Hospitals may have fewer day-shift openings, but hospice care nurses may offer an alternative. Medical clinics and outpatient facilities also offer day shift hours with some weekend work. 

Remember that application you prepared for admission to nursing school? Transfer some of that information, such as your personal statement, to your resume and build a resume highlighting any cross-functional skills you bring from your full-time career. 

As you transition into your new second career in nursing, commit to lifelong learning and personal development that will keep you updated on the latest medical breakthroughs and technological advances. When preparing for interviews, practice with a friend and talk about areas of development you are most interested in, such as cancer research, fighting diabetes, or senior care. 

Key Takeaways

As you contemplate nursing as a second career, consider completing a self-assessment quiz. Once you've confirmed nursing is right for you, you'll quickly realize that your ambitions are attainable with the right amount of preparation and persistence. 

Mastering nursing school starts with the prerequisites. Succeeding in nursing school requires time management skills, good study habits, and determination. With this foundation in place, you'll transition to nursing with the confidence and capability to be your patient's angel of mercy.