Is 30 Too Late to Become a Nurse?

Beginning college after high school is an enormous life transition, but choosing to return to college later in life presents its own unique challenges.

Older students, 30 years old or even older, pursuing a college degree is becoming increasingly common. However, many still have reservations about entering college and striving for a new career.

Perhaps they worry about how it will impact their family, conflicts with their current occupation, or are concerned about if they will be able to keep up or fit in with the younger students.

Luckily, it is never too late to return to college! Read on to learn why 30 is not too late for nursing.

Benefits of Becoming a Nurse at 30

Nursing is an excellent option to pursue at 30 or any age. Even for recent high school graduates, it is an extremely popular field to enter. If you are worried 30 is too old for nursing, it most definitely is not.

Here are some of the benefits of becoming a nurse at 30.

Career Stability

Nursing is one of the most stable career fields into which one can transition. It is estimated that nearly 200,000 new jobs will be available annually in this field within the next decade.

Prior Career Experience

If you are coming to nursing as a second career at the age of 30 or older, you have an advantage in that you have prior career experience.

You will be prepared for many of the challenges that come with studying a new subject or navigating a new career. You will be familiar with things like workflow, meeting deadlines, time management, task prioritizing, and many more useful skills.

You can utilize your professional experience to transition into a new field and adapt to new responsibilities.

Salary Increase

If you are looking to move into a nursing career, you will most likely see a salary increase from your current position.

The national average salary for registered nurses is $77,600, which is above the overall national average salary. Additionally, the top 25% of earners in this field are at an average salary of nearly $100,000.

Tips for Becoming a Nurse as a Second Career

Here are some tips that will help you on your journey to becoming a nurse.

Pursue an Online Nursing Degree

While there are some limitations due to in person requirements, there are many online nursing degrees available. Online college is an excellent choice for adult students who require flexibility and convenience.

A popular online nursing degree is a registered nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, or RN to BSN. These programs are designed for registered nurses who have already achieved an associate's degree.

Getting a bachelor's degree can help you advance your ability to care for patients as well as give potential for increased salary and advancement in the workplace.

Look for Scholarships

Searching for scholarships is a pivotal part of completing a degree. Scholarships are funding for college that does not have to be repaid. They are often merit or need-based. Thousands of scholarships exist with all sorts of requirements.

A term used in the world of education is 'non-traditional student.' Many scholarships exist specifically for non-traditional students. As someone 30 or over, you may qualify for special scholarships for non-traditional students.

Reach out to your university and search around to see which valuable scholarships for which you may qualify!

Apply for Financial Aid

An important step when returning to college is applying for financial aid by completing the FAFSA, or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Completing this form will help you know for which types of federal aid you qualify. You may qualify for grants, which do not have to be repaid, low-interest federal student loans, or even work study positions.

FAQs about Becoming a Nurse

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about becoming a nurse.

How Much Does a Nurse Make?

According to U.S. News & World Report, the average salary of registered nurses in the United States is $77,600. The top 25% of earners in the nursing profession make nearly $100,000.

Even the lower-level earners still make over $60,000 a year.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Nurse?

Depending on the program you enroll in, you could become a registered nurse in two to four years. Requirements differ by state, so you may need an associate's degree, or you may need a bachelor's degree to be a registered nurse.

There are accelerated programs that may allow you to become a registered nurse even faster if you meet the requirements.

Can You Become a Nurse Online?

There are many online nursing degrees. However, there are some limitations.

In order to become a registered nurse, you must complete in-person clinicals and more. These sorts of things cannot be completed online.

There are many programs with online coursework, and the only in-person element is clinicals, etc.

After you have become a registered nurse, there are many entirely online nursing degrees you can pursue.

Start Your Nursing Journey Today

Pursuing a career in nursing at 30 or older is an excellent and achievable goal. Start your nursing journey today!