Are you looking for a new career path? Or, perhaps you are a college student who is trying to decide upon the career path that is right for you. Whether you are interested in making a change to your career or you are just getting started, you might want to seriously consider becoming a nurse.

Although it has long been no secret that our country is experiencing a shortage in nurses and is in great need of finding more qualified individuals to fill open positions, the time to become a nurse has never been greater than it is today. This is because there are still plenty of job openings available and, because of the shortage we are experiencing, there is also a great deal of financial assistance available to those who are interested in a career in nursing.

If you are considering pursuing a career in nursing and you already hold a bachelor’s degree, you will be happy to know that you can get your nursing degree faster than if you were just getting started. This is because many schools offer Accelerated BSN, Second Degree BSN and Direct Entry MSN programs that are specifically designed for those who are switching career paths and who already hold a degree. You may also be able to expedite the process if you already have medical field experience, so be sure to talk to your school about your specific career goals as well as your experiences in order to see if you qualify for advanced placement in a nursing program.

If you are trying to balance family responsibilities or if you need to hold down a job while attending nursing schools, you will also be happy to know that many schools offer part-time programs and there are even online nursing schools that offer extremely flexible scheduling. Therefore, you can work toward becoming a nurse at the pace that best suits your needs and lifestyle.

No matter how old you are, pursuing a career in nursing can be very rewarding. Although the job can be very physically and emotionally challenging, it is a great field for those who enjoy working in an intense atmosphere as well as for those with a strong aptitude for science and math. Some of the stresses that are commonly faced in the field of nursing include:

· Working shift work
· Having to be “on-call”
· Working on holidays and weekends
· Standing on your feet for long periods of tie
· Lifting, moving and supporting patients
· Working in facilities that are under-staffed
· Working with patients who are critically ill as well as their families
· Working in emergency situations

Even if you are in your 40s, it’s not too late to pursue a career in this field. In fact, the 2004 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses found that the average age for RNs is 46.8-years-old and that a little more than 41% of RNs are 50-years-old or older. This same survey also found that the average age of those who graduated from nursing school was 32.5 and that this age keeps rising.

Although many middle-agers are reluctant to change career paths because they don’t think they will be able to land a job in the new field they are pursuing, this simply isn’t true with nursing. In fact, many employers prefer to hire nurses who are a little older because they bring with them a matronly and professional quality that is advantageous when working with patients. Furthermore, it is important to remember that it is illegal to consider a person’s age when making employment decisions and, since there are so many open positions that need to be filled, employers are happy to fill them with qualified individuals regardless of their age.

So, if you are interested in becoming a nurse, don’t let your age or your current schedule scare away from pursuing your interest. With so much financial assistance available to those who are interested in nursing and with so many openings remaining in the field, you will likely be able to get the training you need without having to spend a whole lot and you can enjoy a handsome income and great employment stability after your coursework is complete.