Becoming a nurse at 40 is easier when you enroll in an accelerated BSN program, which allows you to join the workforce sooner and experience the benefits of a nursing career. First, you must enroll in a nursing program, earn a degree and pass the NCLEX-RN to obtain a license.
For many, the calling to become a nurse doesn’t go away. Whether you are well-established in a career or want to join the workforce and can’t stop thinking about becoming a nurse, know that it’s not too late. Becoming a nurse at 40 or older is possible, and it doesn’t have to mean returning to school for another four years.
Felician University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program makes it possible to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in as few as 16 months. The ABSN program offers three start dates a year and two course delivery options: a Hybrid program that combines online coursework with in-person labs and clinicals and an entirely On-Ground program.
The ABSN program provides the flexibility needed to make this career change later in life and is built on a proven legacy of training skilled, practice-ready nurses.
Becoming a nurse at 40 will take dedication, but the benefits of a nursing career far outweigh the potential challenges.
Why Become a Nurse Later in Life
When considering a career change later in life, it’s common to ask yourself, “Am I too old to be a nurse?” The short answer is no.
There are many benefits to becoming a nurse later in life. You’ve learned much from your experiences that you can apply to nursing. If you are changing careers, you may be surprised by how many of your skills are transferrable. Communication skills, project management experience and time management are just a few skills that can help you as a nurse.
Other reasons that becoming a nurse after 40 is worthwhile include:
- There’s demand for nurses and, therefore, a sense of security. Nursing employment is projected to grow 6% between 2023 and 2033, and with a national nursing shortage, the demand is expected to continue.
- There’s potential for career advancement. A nurse who wishes to expand their scope of practice can return to school and earn a graduate degree to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).
- You can make a meaningful impact. As a nurse, you will help people live healthier lives, often supporting them through difficult times. Their role in patient care is one of the reasons nurses were voted the most trusted profession.
Explore the top reasons nursing is a good career.
Earning Potential for Nurses Starting After 40
If you are interested in becoming a nurse later in life, earning potential is likely a concern. Nurses earn competitive compensation, with a national median salary of $86,070 as of 2023. In New Jersey, nurses earn even more, with an average salary of $101,960.
Pay can also depend on the industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top-paying industry is the federal, state and local government, followed by employment services and pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing.
Other factors that can influence pay include experience and specialty. Additionally, if you decide to advance your career by becoming an APRN, you could earn $129,480 a year, according to the 2023 national median salary.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Nurse After 40?
There are multiple pathways toward becoming a nurse. To qualify for the nurse licensure exam, the NCLEX-RN, you must first earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a BSN. Your degree and program choice will determine the minimum time to become a nurse.
ADN programs typically take two years, while traditional BSN programs take four. ADN programs are significantly shorter than traditional BSN programs, but earning a BSN can boost your credentials. This is because a BSN education is comprehensive and prepares nurses to be skilled in case management, critical thinking, leadership and health promotion.
If you are becoming a nurse later in life, an accelerated BSN program can help you earn your nursing degree much faster than the traditional route. At Felician University, the Hybrid or On-Ground ABSN programs allow you to earn a BSN in as few as 16 months.
Flexible Nursing Programs for Adults with Families
You can obtain a nursing license and start working as a registered nurse quickly when you earn a BSN through an ABSN program, which is why many people with families choose this option. An ABSN is also an excellent option for anyone looking to make a career change to nursing, as it’s designed to leverage your non-nursing bachelor’s degree or college experience.
You won’t be alone in making this career change. Dominique, a Felician ABSN student, says Felician’s Hybrid ABSN program was the best choice for her and her family.
“I chose the accelerated program because I am a mom of five,” she says. The Hybrid program only requires her to visit the site a few days a week. “It allows me to … be there for my children and also get the degree that I want, become a nurse.”
How Does an ABSN Program Work?
An ABSN program condenses a complete BSN education into an accelerated timeline by applying your previous, non-nursing education to a nursing degree. The Felician ABSN is open to individuals with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 college credits from an accredited institution.
While every program’s curriculum differs, many follow the same format of combining coursework with hands-on, experiential learning through labs and clinical rotations. At Felician University, our ABSN curriculum components include:
- Nursing Coursework: Whether you complete coursework online in our Hybrid program or in a classroom in our On-Ground program, your coursework establishes core nursing and science concepts foundational to the nursing skills you’ll develop later.
- Nursing Skills Labs: Lab requirements are completed in our state-of-the-art nursing laboratories, regardless of whether you’re enrolled in the Hybrid or On-Ground program. You will practice key skills on medical manikins, such as patient assessments and wound care.
- Nursing Simulation Labs: You will also participate in simulation labs, where you must work with other cohort members to navigate a simulated, mock clinical scenario. Each session is followed by a debriefing, where you will review your successes and areas of improvement with your instructors.
- Clinical Rotations: Starting as soon as your first semester, you will gain hands-on healthcare experience in various clinical settings. Clinical rotations are your chance to experience what it’s like to work as a nurse and learn from talented healthcare professionals throughout the Atlantic Health System and other leading healthcare providers.
If flexibility is important, enrolling in a program with online learning may be right for you. Learn more about online nursing education.
Steps to Start Your Nursing Journey After 40
To become a nurse, you must enroll in a nursing program and earn a degree before taking the licensing exam. Once you pass, you’re ready to embark on your nursing career.
The steps to becoming a nurse at 40 depend on your program’s application process, but most look very similar. Below are the steps to the Felician ABSN admission process and journey to becoming a nurse.
Speak to an Admissions Counselor
All applicants to Felician’s ABSN are assigned an admissions counselor to guide them through every step of the process. After completing the contact form, an admissions counselor will reach out to discuss whether the program is right for you.
Having your unofficial transcripts on hand for this conversation is helpful, as your counselor will review your academic history to help determine eligibility. If the program is right for you, your counselor will help create a plan to complete prerequisite requirements before your target start date.
Complete Prerequisite Course Requirements
Prerequisite course requirements are an essential part of the admissions process, as they help ensure all students enter the program with a solid foundation in science and general education. At Felician, our prerequisites include:
- Lifespan Development
- Microbiology
- Pathophysiology
- Principles of Chemistry
- Statistics I
Students must also complete the following general education requirements:
- Communication and Expression
- Critical and Analytical Thinking
- Ethics, Values and Truth
- Faith and Reason
- Global Consciousness
- Information Literacy
- Liberal Arts
- Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning
- Technological Acumen
Depending on your previous college experience, you may have transferrable credits that fulfill many of these requirements. Your admissions counselor will help identify which credits transfer. For the course to be considered complete, you must earn a C+ or higher.
Submit Your Nursing School Application
After completing the prerequisites, you can submit your nursing school application. To apply to Felician’s ABSN program, you must include the following materials with your application:
- Official college transcripts
- A professional resume
- A letter of intent
- Two academic or professional letters of recommendation
Your admissions counselor will work with you to ensure all materials are included and your application is ready for submission.
Earn a BSN
The ABSN curriculum at Felician is designed with a practice-ready focus. Our coursework, labs and clinical rotations work together to prepare students to deliver patient-centered care in various clinical settings.
The curriculum is also designed to prepare students for the NCLEX-RN. Coursework familiarizes students with the exam by incorporating practice assessments. Additionally, our simulation experiences help students develop the clinical judgment and critical thinking skills needed for exam success.
Upon graduating with a BSN, students can register to take the NCLEX-RN.
Pass the NCLEX-RN
Passing the NCLEX-RN is the final step before obtaining a nursing license. The rigorous exam measures students’ preparedness to provide patient care and navigate clinical environments. Rather than memorizing facts, you must develop a deep understanding of essential nursing concepts.
It is recommended that students prepare for the exam while enrolled in nursing school and then focus on studying full-time during the weeks before the exam.
Once you pass the exam, you can apply for your nursing license through your state’s board of nursing.
Take the First Steps with Felician Today
Becoming a nurse at 40 or older is possible through an accelerated BSN program. At Felician University, we have a long, respected history of training the next generation’s nurses and offer a comprehensive curriculum that sets you on the path toward becoming a nurse. 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.
Contact an admissions counselor today to learn how you can take the first steps toward becoming a nurse through our Hybrid or On-Ground ABSN program.