Making a career change to nursing is smart. You’ll be entering an in-demand field with opportunity and competitive pay. By choosing an accelerated BSN track, you can graduate in as few as 16 months and transition to nursing as a second career in less time.
Are you considering nursing as a second career? Going back to school to become a nurse is an excellent decision, as nursing offers you the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives daily.
It’s never too late to make the career change to nursing, especially with the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) track at Concordia University Texas. Our 16-month ABSN track leverages your prior non-nursing bachelor’s degree or college credits to help you graduate sooner.
Discover why changing careers to nursing is an excellent decision, the steps to transition, and answers to common questions.
Why Choose Nursing as a Second Career?
Going back to school for nursing has become common as people seek a career where they can make a real difference. Nursing is not just another job but a field where professional and personal benefits abound.
Here are a few of the reasons why you should consider making the career change to nursing:
Career Advancement Opportunities
As a nurse, many advancement opportunities are available to grow your scope of practice and earn a higher salary. Nurses who earn their BSN can pursue graduate degrees to qualify for advanced nursing positions. For example, earning a graduate degree from an accredited program makes the career change to nurse practitioner or nurse educator possible.
Nursing Specialization
Nursing is a diverse field with many specialties. As a nurse, you can specialize in conditions and populations, such as critical care, dialysis, neonatal, and gerontological nursing, to name a few.
Nursing students have a unique opportunity to explore nursing specialties while in school. Clinical rotations offer a window into what it’s like to work as a nurse. They also can help you discover which specialty best suits you early on.
Once established in your career, you can seek certifications to qualify for certain specialties, expanding your career.
Diverse Employment Options
Nurses work in a variety of environments, not just hospitals. Settings can include:
- Air ambulances
- Doctors’ offices
- Long-term care facilities
- Outpatient clinics
- Patient homes
- Schools
Some nursing roles don’t involve direct patient care. For example, nurses can become forensic nurses, clinical research nurses, or academic nurse writers. There are many possibilities open to those with a nursing education.
High Demand for Nurses
A nationwide nursing shortage has created a high demand for nurses. The shortage is partly due to retirements outpacing new nurses and an aging population’s increasing healthcare needs. As a result, becoming a nurse means entering a workforce that needs your skills and knowledge.
Registered nurse employment in the U.S. is expected to grow. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Texas employs the second-highest number of nurses and is projected to grow 15% between 2023 and 2033, faster than the national average.
How to Make the Change to Nursing in Five Steps
If you’re interested in changing careers to nursing, here is the pathway that will lead you to your new dream job.
1. Research Accelerated Nursing Programs
The first step to becoming a nurse is researching your program options and finding the right one for you. While becoming a registered nurse with an associate degree is possible, a bachelor’s degree is the preferred pathway for most students. That’s because having a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree gives access to more job opportunities, a higher salary, and greater career growth.
Why is a BSN in nursing important? Here are 11 reasons a bachelor’s degree will help you advance.
You can opt for a traditional or accelerated format when considering nursing programs. A traditional four-year nursing program will be ideal if you don’t have prior college experience. If you have earned a bachelor’s degree or have at least 60 non-nursing college credits from a regionally accredited college or university, however, an ABSN track will help you save time.
The ABSN track at Concordia University Texas leverages your prior college credits to help you graduate in as few as 16 months.
Learn more about the differences between a traditional vs. accelerated nursing program.
2. Talk with an Admissions Counselor
Once you find the program that resonates with your goals and educational background, contact an admissions counselor to learn more. At Concordia Texas, our admissions counselors are committed to helping you with every step of the admissions process.
Your counselor will schedule a time to talk with you over the phone about whether you’re a fit for the ABSN track. They will review your transcript and support you in forming a plan for completing any necessary admissions requirements or prerequisites. You’ll work together to decide on a goal start date for nursing school.
3. Finish Prerequisites and Admissions Requirements
Once you’ve formed a plan with your admissions counselor, you may need time to complete prerequisite courses. You can take these courses through Concordia Texas or another accredited institution. Check with your admissions counselor about transferability before registering for classes at another school.
You may also need to meet other admissions requirements, such as improving your overall GPA or passing the Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS) with a score of at least 67% or higher.
Once you are in your final semester of prerequisite courses, you can submit your application for the ABSN track at Concordia Texas. Your admissions counselor will be available to walk you through this process. The application includes an online component plus supplemental documents, including your official college transcript. Remember to submit your completed application before the deadline.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so you’ll hear back with our admissions decision a few weeks after you submit your application.
4. Graduate and Earn Your BSN
Once you’re enrolled in the ABSN track, the hard work begins. You’ll need to dedicate the next 16 months to your studies. We advise that you consider nursing school a full-time job, so expect to spend more than 40 hours each week studying and completing in-person activities.
The ABSN track uses a hybrid approach, which consists of:
- Online classes: You will use our intuitive e-learning platform to learn foundational nursing concepts at the best time and place for you, provided you meet deadlines.
- Skills and simulation labs: In these in-person labs, you’ll practice technical nursing skills and respond to various healthcare scenarios in a safe and risk-free environment.
- Clinical rotations: In-person clinicals at local healthcare facilities let you apply what you’ve learned to real-world patient care settings.
5. Pass the NCLEX-RN and Earn Your Nursing License
After finishing nursing school and earning your BSN, you must pass the NCLEX-RN, a rigorous exam that covers the entire nursing curriculum. You’ll need to learn to identify the best answer even when choosing between multiple valid answers.
Preparation for the NCLEX begins on the first day of nursing school, but you’ll spend additional time studying for the exam during your final semester of the ABSN track. Then, after graduation, devote a few weeks to studying for the exam.
Once you pass the NCLEX, you can apply for your nursing license at your state’s board of nursing. Ensure you are licensed in the state where you plan to practice as a nurse. Check with your state’s board of nursing for any specific requirements for RNs in your state.
Wondering how RN licensing works in Texas? Learn more about the compact state nursing license and how to navigate the licensing process.
Common Questions About Switching to a Career as a Nurse
Returning to school for nursing is exciting, but it can also be intimidating. Switching careers is a significant life change, so it’s normal to have a few questions. Below are some common questions about making the career change to nursing.
Is Nursing a Good Career?
Nursing offers job stability and high earning potential. According to the BLS, nurses make a median salary of $86,070 annually as of 2023. While pay depends on the state, healthcare facility, and nursing experience, becoming a nurse can provide a comfortable living.
Salaries can also increase depending on the specialty and nursing level. For example, returning to school to earn a graduate degree and become a nurse practitioner yields higher earning potential.
Is it Too Late to Become a Nurse?
It’s never too late to become a nurse. If you are already established in your career and wish to pivot to nursing, it’s possible to transition without returning to school for another four years. Through the accelerated BSN track at Concordia Texas, students can earn their BSN in as few as 16 months.
If you’re considering returning to school after some time away, you’re not alone. Concordia Texas ABSN student Michelle Wilson also decided to make a career change. Here is her story:
What is Going Back to School for Nursing Like?
Going back to school for nursing means you must reacquaint yourself with college-level coursework, study for exams, and juggle schoolwork with your personal life, which can be challenging.
Support services are available to help you navigate nursing school. The faculty at Concordia University Texas are dedicated to helping you succeed. Contact your professors for assistance or guidance, and lean on your support system.
What is nursing school like? Here’s your guide to the ABSN track at Concordia University Texas.
Start Your Career Change to Nursing at Concordia Texas
At Concordia Texas in Austin and Dallas, Texas, we’re committed to helping you transition smoothly to your nursing career.
To learn more about the ABSN track and how to take the next step, reach out to our admissions counselors today.