Becoming a Nurse at 40: How to Make a Midlife Career Change

Feeling stuck in your current career? Even in your 40s or beyond, it’s not too late to make a change. Nursing is a field that often attracts older career switchers, as it allows you to use your well-developed non-nursing skills and experience. When becoming a nurse later in life, all you’ll need is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a nursing license.

Averett University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is designed for nontraditional nursing students of all ages and backgrounds. We make it possible to pursue an exciting nursing career regardless of your age and prior experience.

If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 college credits, you can earn a BSN in as few as 16 months with Averett’s ABSN program.

Before making a significant career change, take a closer look at how becoming a nurse later in life is possible with Averett’s Accelerated BSN program. You’ll also want to consider the potential benefits of switching to a nursing career and what you can expect in nursing school as an older student.

Is Becoming a Nurse at 40 Possible?

It’s never too late to become a nurse, even in your 40s. In fact, some people transition into nursing in their 50s or even 60s. Transitioning to a nursing career can offer something that is lacking in your current career: personal fulfillment. Nursing is a well-respected profession that allows you to use your prior experience and skills to help others.

When becoming a nurse later in life, you might not have to return to college for another four years. If you have a prior non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 college credits, you might meet the admission requirements for Averett’s ABSN program, which allows you to earn a BSN much faster than through the traditional route.

You might also need to complete prerequisite courses before beginning the program. After graduating, you’ll be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam, the national licensure exam that all future nurses must pass. Then, you can obtain your state-issued nursing license and begin applying for your first nursing job.

Will There Be Opportunities for Advancement Despite a Later Start?

Some people might hesitate to make the switch to nursing because they worry that their later start might hamper their career trajectory. In the nursing field, however, there are plenty of opportunities to pursue.

After gaining some clinical experience, you might decide to earn a Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice and board certification in a specialty area. This allows you to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). APRNs serve as nurse leaders and mentors and can practice with greater autonomy.

There are several types of APRNs, each with its own area of focus. You might decide to advance your career to become a:

• Nurse Practitioner
• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Certified Nurse Midwife
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

You could also decide to move away from direct patient care and pursue opportunities in nursing management, administration, or education. No matter what suits you best, becoming a nurse later in life won’t hold you back from advancement.

Top Benefits of a Nursing Career Later in Life

Why pursue a nursing career later in life? There are plenty of compelling advantages to consider, such as the following:

• You can benefit from the positive job growth rate.
• Older nurses bring wisdom and maturity to clinical settings.
• You could choose from a diverse range of nursing specialties.
• Later in life, you likely have stronger motivation, greater commitment to ethical practice, and a dedication to lifelong learning.
• There are many work settings to choose from, ranging from schools to clinics to corporations.
• Even as a nurse with less experience, there is strong earning potential.
• Many of the skills you’ve already learned are useful in nursing, such as communication, interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, time management, and leadership.

How Long Will It Take to Switch to Nursing?

Every older nursing student has their own timeframe for becoming a nurse at 40, but the process is as follows:

• Research: First, you’ll want to research your nursing school options. You should consider the program location, clinical partnerships, accreditations, and timeline to graduation.
• Admission Process: Once you find the right program, initiate the admission process. At Averett, you will be assigned a dedicated admissions advisor. They will help determine your eligibility, develop a plan to meet admission requirements, and guide you through each step.
• Prerequisites: Depending on your educational history, you might need to complete a few prerequisites. The length of time this takes depends on how many prerequisites you need to complete.
• Enrollment: Averett offers three start dates each year, so you can enroll and begin the program as soon as possible after completing the admissions requirements.
• Degree completion: You can complete your BSN in as few as 16 months at Averett.
• Licensure: Most nursing school graduates take the NCLEX within a couple of months of graduation. As soon as you pass, you can obtain your license and begin applying for nursing jobs.

What to Expect in Nursing School as an Older Student

Averett’s nursing cohorts are comprised of nontraditional students of all age ranges. There’s no need to worry about entering the program later in life, as a diverse nursing cohort enriches everyone’s education experience.

While no nursing program is the same, you can expect to participate in a combination of instructional coursework and hands-on learning experiences. At Averett, the ABSN curriculum comprises online coursework, hands-on nursing labs, and clinical rotations.

Older nursing students who are raising families will appreciate the online coursework at Averett. You’ll work through coursework, submit assignments, participate in the discussion forum, and enjoy real-time video conferences and chat sessions.

You’ll have flexibility in when and where you complete assignments, but you must still meet deadlines and attend in-person proctored exams at the Norfolk ABSN learning center.

You will also meet with your peers in person for on-site nursing labs. These labs include two types, skills labs and simulation labs, which work in tandem to help you develop your nursing skills and clinical judgment in a safe environment.

Lastly, you’ll gain hands-on experience during clinical rotations at nearby healthcare facilities. You will work in various clinical environments and specialties, providing direct patient care under the close supervision of your preceptors. Clinicals also offer opportunities to network with local healthcare professionals.

How to Prepare for Becoming a Nurse Later in Life

There are many steps you can take to facilitate your transition to a nursing career later in life. The first step is to reach out to an Averett admissions advisor to determine your eligibility for the program and the requirements you must meet. If you need to complete prerequisites, your advisor will help develop a plan for completing them in time for your target start date.

In addition, consider the following steps:

• Talk to your loved ones about your plans. Let them know you’ll appreciate their emotional and practical support while you navigate nursing school.
• Get up to date on vaccinations.
• Visit the American Red Cross to get certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic life support (BLS).
• After acceptance to nursing school, fill out the FAFSA to apply for federal financial aid.
• Put together a plan for meeting your financial obligations following any federal aid disbursements.
• Purchase supplies for nursing school, including school supplies, a stethoscope, school scrubs, and supportive shoes.