How to Switch to Nursing as a Second Career

Switching to nursing doesn't have to be complicated. If you already hold a bachelor's degree in any field, an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) lets you finish your nursing education in under two years. Without a prior bachelor's, you can become an RN through an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), or enter the workforce faster as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN).

How to Pursue Nursing as a Second Career

Assess the education you can apply. A bachelor's in another field from an accredited institution can carry into an ABSN. Requirements vary by school, so meet with admissions counselors at more than one program to learn what coursework transfers. Accelerated programs are competitive, and a strong cumulative GPA or solid grades in prerequisites make you a better candidate. If an ABSN isn't the right fit, the fastest route is an LPN/LVN certificate through an accredited practical nursing program, which takes about a year. An ADN takes about two to three years.

Complete prerequisites. An admissions counselor can tell you which prerequisites you need and help you build a timeline. They typically include anatomy, physiology, statistics, and microbiology. You may be able to finish them online or at a community college, which can save time and money.

Complete your nursing education, including clinicals. Curriculum varies by school and program, but expect hands-on skills, simulation labs, and clinical practice at local healthcare facilities. Clinical hour requirements depend on your program and your state. ABSN programs generally require 700 to 800 hours, similar to a traditional BSN. Classroom work is rigorous and usually covers:

• Health assessment
• Nursing care of adults and older adults
• Care of women and childbearing families
• Psychiatric and mental health nursing
• Care of children and adolescents
• Pharmacology
• Management and leadership

Pass the licensure exam. After your degree, you're eligible for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. The NCLEX-RN is required for an RN license in every state; the NCLEX-PN is required to practice as an LPN. Plenty of free study materials are online, covering multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and other question types.

Get licensed in your state. After passing, apply to your state board for a license. Some boards also require professional references, a background check, and fingerprinting.

Earn a certification. As you gain experience, you may decide to specialize. Certifications are optional credentials that demonstrate advanced knowledge, set you apart from other candidates, and open doors to advancement. Each certifying body sets its own eligibility rules, often including work experience. Examples:

• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC): Pain Management Nurse (PMGT-BC), Pediatric Nurse (PED-BC), Gerontological Nurse (GERO-BC)
• Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board (ONCB): Orthopaedic Nurse Certification (ONC)
• Radiologic Nursing Certification Board (RNCB): Certified Radiology Nurse (CRN)

Your Options

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

An ABSN is a fast-track program for students who already hold a bachelor's in another field. You complete the same nursing curriculum and clinical hours as a traditional BSN, in less time, because the program builds on your prior coursework and skips the general education requirements. Depending on how long ago you earned your first degree, you may need to take or retake science prerequisites before enrolling.

Associate Degree in Nursing

An ADN is the route for prospective RNs without a prior bachelor's, and it works well if you don't have the time or resources for a BSN. A BSN carries higher salary potential, but an ADN still qualifies you to work as an RN and pursue many specialties. ADN-to-BSN bridge programs exist if you decide to advance later.

LPN/LVN

An LPN/LVN certificate suits anyone who wants to start fast or train while working full time. It's a non-degree award through a formal program that takes about a year. Earning potential is lower than an RN's, but bridge programs let you move up to RN when you're ready.

Online Nursing Programs

An online program helps if you're juggling family or work. You complete most coursework online, often on your own schedule, and some programs let you move faster or slower than a traditional semester. You'll still complete skills and lab requirements in person, at your school or a local healthcare facility.

Is Nursing Right for You?

Before you commit to the change, make sure it fits. These traits serve nurses well:

Empathy for vulnerable people. Caring for others is the core of the job and the reason many nurses find it rewarding.

Composure under pressure. Nurses have to perform at a high level through emergencies, staffing shortages, and long hours.

Strong communication. You'll work as part of a team, and patients and families rely on you to explain instructions, treatments, and updates clearly.

Attention to detail. Whether giving medications, delivering treatments, or measuring vital signs, you have to follow procedures exactly and catch life-threatening situations early.

A commitment to lifelong learning. Medical knowledge and technology keep advancing, so nurses have to keep current.

FAQ

Why choose nursing as a second career?

"Nursing can be a good choice for someone contemplating a career change because it is a profession that touches on pieces of a lot of different aspects of human life," says nurse educator Tiffany Gibson, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CPN. "It's analytical, theoretical, communal, and nurturing, a great mix of hard and soft skills." Nursing also offers diverse paths in patient care, administration, and leadership. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects RN jobs to grow 5% through 2034, and the median annual RN salary is $93,600. "Nursing is an opportunity to make an immediate impact, serve the community, and make financial strides," Gibson says.

How hard is the switch?

It depends on your expectations, education, and experience. "My transition into nursing from public health wasn't difficult. I spent my time before nursing school teaching sex education to teens and women in underserved communities," Gibson says. "I was able to transfer my soft skills as a community health advocate fairly easily."

Where do I start?

Talk with working nurses about what the daily job is really like. Contact professional nursing organizations, online nursing communities, and your local hospital. Then meet with admissions counselors at ABSN programs that interest you and weigh the time and cost before you commit.

How long does it take?

An ABSN condenses the curriculum into about 14 to 16 months of full-time study, though it can run longer. Many students complete prerequisites first, and after graduation you have to pass the NCLEX and earn state licensure before you can work.

Am I too old to become a nurse?

No. Plenty of people start nursing in their 30s, 40s, or 50s. As long as you can handle the physical demands of the job, age is no barrier, and high demand from the ongoing shortage means opportunities should stay plentiful.

Can you take the NCLEX without a degree?

For the NCLEX-RN, you need a BSN or ADN. You don't need a degree to become an LPN or LVN and take the NCLEX-PN.