Is it too late to become a nurse? No. Nursing is a lucrative and in-demand role. You can become a nurse with Mercer University ABSN from application to graduation. Succeed by leveraging your existing career skills, keeping your long-term goals in mind, and leaning on your support system.
Is It Too Late to Become a Nurse? How to Begin a Career in Nursing Later in Life
If you are considering a change to a nursing career, you are not alone. Many individuals choose to make a career change and pursue the nursing profession later in life, bringing with them valuable skills and perspectives. Is it too late to become a nurse? According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the median age of RNs is 46. At any stage in your career, nursing can offer meaningful work, long-term stability, and increased earning potential.
Mercer University’s Second Degree Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) track may be the right path to access this exciting career path sooner. Mercer offers a 12-month curriculum that allows mid-career changers to make a faster transition from enrollment in nursing school to graduation and licensure.
We will examine how becoming a nurse at a mid-career point is a common choice, examine the steps to become a nurse, and review success tips for nursing students making a mid-career change.
Why More Adults Are Considering a Career Change to Nursing
Making a career change to nursing is becoming more common. One reason you may want to shift careers is to help others in a meaningful way. This profession also provides more job stability and better income than many. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 197,200 new nursing jobs by 2033 and reports a median income of $93,600 per year.
The option of pursuing a nursing degree through an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing track like Mercer’s also makes a career change to nursing more attainable. Earning a BSN through a traditional BSN track typically requires two years in an on-campus undergraduate program after completion of core curriculum and prerequisite coursework. Accelerated BSN tracks allow you to earn a BSN in as few as 12 months, reducing the time necessary to earn your degree and enter the profession.
Is It Ever Too Late to Become a Nurse?
A nursing career can begin at any stage of your professional journey. Experience from other fields can be a valuable advantage, helping you connect with patients and navigate complex situations. Many students enter nursing school after years in different careers, joining colleagues of all ages and backgrounds. In the nursing profession, your skills, dedication, and knowledge are what truly define your career.
After gaining experience working bedside as a registered nurse (RN), you can pursue a range of career paths, including:
- Case management
- Healthcare administration
- Nursing education and training
- Nursing leadership
- Public health
See what nursing school is really like and how you can succeed as an ABSN student.
Steps to Become a Nurse
Nursing offers a rewarding career path, and leaving your current profession to make the transition can bring a sense of uncertainty. Mercer is supportive of all students, and our 12-month curriculum in the ABSN track means you can start your new nursing career sooner. The following steps will see you through from prospective student to licensed registered nurse.
1. Research Degree Paths, Complete Prerequisites, and Apply
Start by exploring nursing programs in your area that align with your goals. Mercer’s ABSN track is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and offers a blend of online coursework with in-person labs and clinical experiences. When you connect with us, an enrollment counselor will review your transcripts and help determine your next steps for admission, including reviewing the admissions requirements.
Your enrollment counselor will guide you through the application process and help ensure all materials are submitted successfully. Mercer’s ABSN track includes prerequisite courses that build the foundation for success in the 12-month curriculum. Once your application and prerequisites are complete, you can begin the program during one of three annual start dates.
2. Work Through an ABSN Nursing Curriculum of Coursework, Labs, and Clinicals
As a Mercer ABSN student, you will complete a curriculum consisting of online coursework, hands-on nursing simulation labs and skills labs, and clinical rotations treating patients at top area healthcare facilities in Metro Atlanta.
- Online coursework covers essential nursing concepts and theory while giving you the flexibility to create a study schedule that fits your routine. You will stay on track by meeting assignment deadlines and managing your time in a way that supports your success.
- Nursing labs involve learning key hands-on nursing skills and working through simulated patient care scenarios in a supervised setting that replicates a clinical environment. You will work alongside fellow cohort members and debrief with instructor guidance after sessions.
- Clinical rotations will provide experience working at top area healthcare facilities in Metro Atlanta under guidance from experienced nurses and patient care team members. You will apply what you have learned through coursework and labs and gain experience across a variety of practice areas.
Discover how to thrive in nursing school while taking on coursework, labs, and clinicals.
3. Graduate and Take the NCLEX-RN
After graduation, you will have completed an intensive 12-month curriculum that equips you to take the NCLEX-RN exam. This exam is necessary to attain licensure as a registered nurse and covers the type of lateral thinking and clinical knowledge expected from practicing nurses. Our curriculum is designed to teach the skills needed to pass, and study groups with fellow cohort members can be a valuable resource as you prepare for this exam.
After passing the NCLEX-RN, you can apply for licensure as a registered nurse. Mercer’s ABSN track is located in Atlanta, Georgia, where you can become a nurse in a Nurse Licensure Compact State and be licensed in most states and territories across the U.S.
Success Tips for Nursing Students Making a Mid-Career Change
A mid-career transition to nursing allows you to leverage your existing life experience and professional skills to build a strong foundation in the field. These success tips can support you as you prepare for nursing school, complete your BSN, and pursue professional nursing practice.
1. Leverage Your Existing Career Skills
Experience from a variety of career paths can provide valuable skills that translate well to nursing school and professional practice. During clinical rotations, interactions with instructors, and patient care, developing these abilities can serve you well in the profession:
- Navigating high-pressure situations
- Managing competing priorities
- Speaking with compassion and professionalism
- Remaining organized
2. Focus on Long-Term Goals
Your prior professional experience can offer valuable insight into the types of roles that align with your strengths and interests. As you explore the many career paths within nursing, this perspective can help you identify long-term goals and plan a path toward them from the beginning of your training.
3. Connect With Your Support System
Completing an ABSN track like Mercer’s is a significant commitment, particularly in addition to balancing personal responsibilities. Building a strong network—through family, friends, or fellow students—can provide meaningful support throughout the program. Connecting with your cohort through study groups and collaboration can also enhance your learning experience and success.
Make a Career Change to Nursing with Mercer ABSN
Becoming a nurse at at any stage of your professional journey is an accessible goal. Mercer University’s ABSN track allows students to earn a BSN degree in as few as 12 months after enrollment. Request information today to speak with an enrollment counselor and embark on a new future in nursing.