Considering a career switch to nursing? Going back to school is necessary, and now there are part-time and full-time options, as well as in-person and online nursing programs to help career-switchers transition from their current industry to the nursing field. This variety of options means you can choose a path that fits with your career goals and lifestyle.

Georgetown University’s Online Master’s in Nursing

Nursing@Georgetown delivers Georgetown University’s MS in Nursing program online, preparing RNs with a BSN to pursue certification in an APRN specialty. Students can earn their degree in as few as 23 months. 

• Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
• Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
• Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice

Request more info from Georgetown University.

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USC’s CCNE-Accredited Online MSN Program

Nursing@USC delivers the online Master of Science in Nursing program from the University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Department of Nursing. RN and BSN req’d.

• Designed for registered nurses (RNs) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Offers a part-time option for active RNs to earn a Master of Science in Nursing online
• Can be completed in as few as 21 months

Request more info from the University of Southern California.

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Earn Your MSN Online from Simmons University

Earn an MSN online from Simmons University. Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP — and prepare to raise the standard of patient care.

• Choose from two program options — FNP or PMHNP
• Complete in as few as 24 months
• Full-time and part-time tracks available

Request more info from Simmons University.

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Depending on your prior education and which nursing degree you’re aiming for, there is likely a part-time online educational program to help you achieve your goal. The classwork component of a part-time nursing program may be online, but fieldwork or hands-on learning requirements must be completed in person at a specific clinic, hospital or office.

Invest some time in your research when looking for the right nursing program. Consider these questions: What is your educational goal? Programs from associate degree in nursing programs to master’s in nursing programs can prepare you for the licensing exam for registered nurses (RN). Do you want to be a full-time or a part-time student? Does the flexibility of an online program work better for your busy schedule or do you need to attend classes on campus?

Nursing is a rapidly expanding field offering flexibility and dynamic opportunities for growth. Salaries vary depending on the role. Registered nurses, for example, earn a median salary of $71,730 per year — and the field is expected to grow 12% in the next 10 years, which is much faster than the average for all other U.S. occupations.

It’s not too late to join the nursing workforce. In fact, the average age of nurses in the United States is 50 years old.

Taking advantage of part-time online classes while continuing to work allows you to test the nursing waters without abandoning your current career. Most community colleges offer prerequisite courses in biology online.

When considering nursing school, remember to weigh these factors in your decision-making process:

If you enroll in a direct-entry master’s degree program, you may not need to take the GRE. Requirements vary so check with the programs of your choice.

The advantage of a full-time nursing program is that it immerses you quickly into the world of health care. Though intense, these programs are often accelerated, preparing you to enter the world with a degree, ready for licensing years earlier than a part-time option.

On the other hand, the part-time option requires less time on a week to week basis, and may help you better balance work and family. But the road to earning your nursing degree will be longer.

In the nursing field, there is a wide range of nursing specialties to choose from. But you must first become a registered nurse before becoming an advanced nurse practitioner (who can specialize in a specific area.) When mapping out your path forward, consider your areas of interest to identify the specialties that align with your long-term career goals. Specialties such as community health offer opportunities to work in schools, health departments, and clinics, where community health nurses can give direct patient care and often experience a more regular schedule than that of hospital nurses.

It’s important to research the unique nursing specialties available across the nation, and determine which ones fit with your goals.

While you’re in nursing school, you can still work — whether the program is full-time or part-time. It’s up to you to strike a balance that will allow you to keep up with your studies without quitting your job.

Working in a health care environment can help you build additional confidence and skills.

More experienced nurses may be older nurses who have spent years developing their skills in the field. While the following roles may be suitable for any qualified professional of any age, older nurses who are interested in working more autonomously outside a hospital setting might consider these:

Considered community health related, school nurses care for a pediatric population in urgent and emergent situations. This job also prepares teachers and staff to care for the pre-existing conditions and special health needs of a diverse population of children.

Clinic nurses work in a variety of settings from urgent care clinics where you deal with small lacerations and sore throats to life-threatening cardiac conditions, to the more niche specialty clinics where you may assist in regular procedures. If you find yourself gravitating toward a specialty, this may be the place for you.

Informatics nurses leverage data to care for patients. If you find yourself engrossed with statistics and you are looking for ways to translate the big picture of health care into better individual patient care, this growing field may be for you.

Occupational health nurses care for people with physical on-the-job issues and work with them to prevent or minimize future health risks in the workplace. This work is great for an independent nurse.

Nurses are always teaching and always learning. Nurse educators keep their specific populations up to date with the latest and best information on how to care for patients and themselves.

Chandra Burnside, MSN, RN, CNL, IBCLC is a second-degree nurse who returned to school in her 30s as a mother of two. She finished an accelerated master’s degree in two years. In the last five years, she has grown a career as a labor and delivery nurse and nurse educator. Here she answers the two key questions every aspiring new nurse has on their mind.

How did you decide to make the leap and switch careers to nursing?

When my first child was born it was a difficult experience. The nurses that cared for me put something in my heart, and I knew as soon as possible I would return to school to become a nurse. With my supportive husband on board, I researched programs that would take into account my existing bachelor’s degree and chose an accelerated path. It was hard, but I loved it. Despite leaving the workforce and starting again in my 30s I have had many opportunities to expand my knowledge and make a good living.

Was it overwhelming returning to school after so long?

I won’t lie, nursing school is rigorous. There is a lot of studying. But one of the benefits of having already worked in the world (and being a mom as well) is you’ve mastered time management. There’s no way around the hard work, but it is less overwhelming with your family and children as motivation and reward.

Disclosure: The path to transition into a nursing career varies depending on individual availability, goals and experience. This guide is not an exhaustive list of requirements and steps to become a nurse.