The Top 5 Reasons to Choose Nursing as a Second Career

Why Should You Consider Nursing as a Second Career?

1. The Flexibility

Nurses enjoy a lot of flexibility at work due to the variety of schedules and different types of positions available (all of which vary depending on where you choose to work). Nurses often have more options to arrange their schedule than those working a more traditional workweek.

Many nursing shifts last longer than the traditional eight-hour workday, which means some nurses condense their workweek into a short timeframe. The benefit of this is three or four days off each week. Some nurses arrange their schedules so they have extended periods of time off without the need to use PTO. Most nurses also benefit from generous PTO and Sick Leave policies. 

This flexibility allows nurses to balance their professional commitments with time for family, friends, and community involvement. For those seeking a more traditional workweek, roles in outpatient settings often follow a standard eight-hour workday.

2. The Pay and the Job Security

While it should not be the only motivation, competitive pay is certainly one of the many attractive aspects of transitioning into nursing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurses earn an average annual salary of $86,070. Additionally, the BLS predicts demand for nurses is projected to grow by 6 percent from 2022 to 2032—outpacing the average for most occupations. For those seeking additional earning potential, roles as a PRN or travel nurse often come with higher pay, offering additional advantages for those who may not require benefits.

Nursing also provides exceptional job security. With an aging population and a growing demand for skilled healthcare providers, the need for nurses is more critical than ever. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) estimates a shortage of over 78,000 full-time RNs by 2025 and over 63,000 by 2030. The healthcare sector will continue to rely on compassionate, skilled nurses to meet this demand, ensuring long-term career stability in the profession.

3. The Purpose

Nursing is purpose-driven work and offers the opportunity to support individuals during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Whether you are involved in life-saving interventions in emergency settings, providing comfort and dignity through palliative care, or supporting new life as it enters the world, the specialized skills and compassionate care of nurses have proven to impact patient well-being substantially. 

In the nursing profession, individuals care for people from diverse backgrounds, gaining insight into their histories, families, and cultures. This exposure fosters new perspectives and deepens appreciation for life, empowering nurses to cultivate a career that aligns with their passions and values. 

Nurses play a central role in patient care, often spending more time with patients than physicians do. It is a privilege to engage and make meaningful connections with patients across all stages of life, and it is one of the many reasons nursing can be so deeply fulfilling. 

4. The Diversity of the Work

Nursing is characterized by a significant degree of autonomy, which allows professionals to shape (and reshape) their careers according to their interests and goals. Nursing also offers a broad range of career paths. Nurses can work in various hospital departments or outpatient facilities, and those who prefer to specialize in a particular area can do so throughout their careers.

Explore some of the different nursing pathways:

Bedside Nursing

Many prospective nurses are called to this work because of the one-on-one, direct patient care. At the bedside, nurses have the opportunity to develop strong, meaningful relationships with patients and families while providing support during their time of need. Bedside nurses can treat pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients, and they may decide to pursue specialized training in certain areas (wound care or diabetes, for example). This type of nursing can happen in a variety of environments, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and in the home.

Clinic-based Nursing

An outpatient clinic nurse does less skilled nursing and adds more administrative duties to their role. Often, this work is preventative, though nurses may also provide primary care, treatment coordination, and health education for patients of all ages and backgrounds. Most clinics specialize in a specific area of practice, like pediatrics, women’s health, chronic disease management, mental health, and more. Depending upon the clinic, nurses may work with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, collaborating to deliver comprehensive care to their patients.

Nursing Informatics

An informatics nurse works at the intersection of health care and technology. Using electronic health records (EHRs), data management systems, and healthcare informatics tools, they collect, analyze, and disseminate data that informs clinical decision-making — ultimately improving patient outcomes and enhancing the efficiency of healthcare delivery.

Nursing Management

Nursing leaders guide healthcare teams, shape organizational culture, and drive quality improvement in patient care. These professionals have numerous responsibilities, depending upon their role and environment:

• Staff scheduling
• Resource allocation
• Performance evaluations
• Promoting teamwork and fostering a positive workplace
• Ensuring adherence to regulatory standards

Nursing leaders may also operate at a higher level within healthcare organizations, serving as chief nursing officers, nurse executives, and nurse administrators. In addition to the duties above, higher-level nursing leaders are involved in strategic planning, policy development, and financial management. They might advocate for and champion evidence-based practice and other initiatives that improve the well-being of patients and the overall quality of care.

Nursing Education

Nursing educators play a crucial role in developing the next generation of nursing professionals, ensuring they have the knowledge and skills needed to provide high-quality patient care. As part of their roles, they develop and deliver curriculum, design learning experiences, assess learning outcomes, integrate evidence-based practice, evaluate student performance, and provide mentorship to nurses at all stages in their careers.

Nursing Research

Nurses engaged in research advance health care in myriad ways. Those in clinical research conduct studies that aim to improve patient care, health outcomes, and the effectiveness of nursing interventions across diverse clinical settings. Some nurses focus their research on health disparities and equity, exploring the social determinants of health and examining issues related to care access and cultural competence. Nursing research covers a wide range of topics and contributes to the evidence base that governs nursing practice, policy, and education.

Occupational Health Nursing

Occupational health nurses use a multifaceted approach to promote health and safety in the workplace, in addition to the well-being of workers in general. They do so across a wide array of industries and settings, and the work includes:

• Workplace Safety and Injury Prevention - From industrial environments to office spaces, occupational health nurses who focus on this area will assess workplace hazards, conduct safety training, and implement injury prevention programs. The work of occupational health nurses is especially important in workplaces that pose risks to environmental health and industrial hygiene. They address issues related to air quality, chemical exposures, and ergonomics, to name a few.
• Health Promotion and Wellness - Occupational health nurses design and implement health promotion initiatives, wellness programs, and preventive care strategies in the workplace. They are also educators and advocates, empowering employees to know their rights, health risks, and the resources available to them.
• Case Management and Rehabilitation - If someone suffers a work-related injury or illness, an occupational health nurse is the one who coordinates care and facilitates the provision of appropriate treatment. They work to support employees in their recovery and return-to-work processes.
• Regulatory Compliance - Occupational health nurses navigate complex legal and regulatory frameworks related to worker health and safety. They must interpret and apply diverse requirements while advocating for the rights of workers.

Insurance Nursing

Health insurers often hire nurses for their experience and expertise. Nurses engage in utilization review (assessing the medical necessity of proposed treatments, procedures, or services), case management (coordinating care and services for individuals with complex healthcare needs), claims evaluation and auditing, quality improvement initiatives, and more.

Nurse Consulting

As a nurse legal consultant, you might work on medical malpractice cases, reviewing and analyzing records to provide an expert opinion. You may advise healthcare organizations on how to navigate the complex regulatory requirements set by the state or the federal government. Some nurse legal consultants develop, analyze, and interpret healthcare policies. There are numerous ways to make an impact as a nurse legal consultant and even more settings in which to do it.

Triage Nursing

True to their name, triage nurses are responsible for quickly (and accurately) assessing patients’ health conditions, determining the urgency of their needs, and prioritizing accordingly. This is needed in emergency departments or urgent cares, at primary care practices where they have nurse-staffed call centers, and in disaster response during mass casualty incidents. Triage nurses are also involved in developing, implementing, and revising triage protocols.

5. The Advanced Practice Opportunities

If you have a perpetual desire to continue learning, nursing may be the right field for you. Nurses have numerous opportunities for professional growth. Many advance to become nurse practitioners, or they opt for roles as nurse educators, moving away from direct patient care. Leadership positions in healthcare facilities are also a common path, with nurses acting as advocates to shape legislation that improves care for both patients and healthcare professionals. From certifications and specializations to internships and rotations, the nursing profession offers endless possibilities for evolving and expanding one's role.

Once you’re a working nurse, investing in professional development looks different. Many employers will help pay for your education if you commit to working with them for a certain period of time after reimbursement. 

Embracing a Second Career as a Nurse

If you’re looking to change careers and want to apply the skills you’ve earned in your current role to a career that makes a tangible difference in the health of your community, consider becoming a nurse. 

Choosing a flexible program with exceptional training is critical in starting your journey in nursing. The Thomas Edison State University (TESU) Accelerated BSN BAYADA Scholars Track at Cooper University Health Care is designed for students with a bachelor’s degree in a field outside of nursing. Students complete a thoughtfully designed clinical curriculum, the majority of which occurs at Cooper University Health Care, all while taking rigorous online courses through Thomas Edison State University, a pioneer in the use of educational technologies. 

In just 15 months, you can earn an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing. TESU has a 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate*, preparing you for a vibrant and impactful nursing career. 

To learn more about this program and what it takes to make a career change to nursing, download our eBook Becoming a Nurse: The Benefits of an ABSN.

*TESU has achieved impressive first time NCLEX-RN pass rates of 100% in 2012, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023. The school’s first-time NCLEX-RN exam pass rate for its Accelerated BSN program graduates ranks in the top 4 percent of all BSN programs in the country.