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Whether you decided to be a nurse in undergrad or after years in business or engineering, the healthcare community is happy to have you on their team. There is an ever-increasing demand for well qualified nurses, and they are vital members of patient care teams. Healthcare systems are always welcoming in nurses to help in their hospitals, whether they are first or second career nurses. The job stability and demand are part of what makes the career so appealing after all.
While you may think that nurses are all the same, no matter when they decided to enter the field, there are some differences between first and second career nurses. Yes, they do still have a lot in common, there is no denying that. The differences that exist however, second years nurses are better able to leverage those distinctions to excel in their new nursing jobs. In some ways, second career nurses can have an upper hand over their first career counterparts.
If you are someone who has thought about leaving behind their unsatisfying job and becoming a second career nurse, Baylor’s online nursing program is a great place to start! They have an accredited program that is affordable and has proven to produce incredibly knowledgeable and prepared nurses. Baylor can give you all the tools needed to be a successful nurse, and once you acquire those skills, there is so much to look forward to in the nursing profession.
If you follow this path and end up becoming a nurse later in life, there are some key similarities you will notice between yourself and those who became nurses right after college.
Similarities
Both first career nurses and second career nurses share many common characteristics and skills, such as a strong desire to help others, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work well under pressure. They have the same fundamental responsibilities, including providing patient care, administering medications, communicating with patients and their families, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals. Both types of nurses must also have strong problem-solving skills and have a compassionate and caring approach to their work. Most important of all however, is the determination and commitment to make a difference in the lives of their patients.
On the technical side of things, both groups are required to complete formal education and training to become licensed as a nurse. Whether you attend a four-year nursing program or an accelerated online program, the building blocks of being a good nurse must be put in place. They both must pass exams to become licensed and maintain their licensure by continuing their education and meeting other requirements. In addition, both are subject to the same ethical and legal standards and are expected to uphold the same level of professionalism.
There are certainly a lot of traits and training that first and second career nurses have in common. The differences though are more eye opening in how second career nurses can use them to their advantage.
Differences
There are several key differences that second career nurses may be able to leverage to excel in the field.
One potential difference is that second career nurses often bring a wealth of experience and knowledge from their previous careers. This can be an asset in the nursing field, as it allows them to approach challenges and problems with a unique perspective and a diverse range of skills. Some of these skills developed in their previous careers that can be useful in the nursing profession include problem-solving, communication, and leadership. This coupled with having a different outlook on patient care may be able to bring fresh ideas and approaches to the field.
Second career nurses may also be more motivated and dedicated to their new careers, as they have made a conscious decision to change careers and pursue a new path. This can translate into a strong work ethic and a willingness to go above and beyond to succeed. Second career nurses may be more motivated to succeed in their new career and may be more willing to put in extra effort to excel, because they have entered the field for different reasons than first career nurses. Many of these nurses have a greater sense of purpose and meaning in their work, as they have chosen to pursue a career in nursing to make a positive impact on others. This is a powerful motivator for motivator for anyone, as it is human nature to want to succeed at what we enjoy doing.
Lastly, it is likely that second career nurses may be older than first career nurses, which can give them additional life experience and maturity. This can be an advantage in dealing with the challenges of the nursing profession and working with patients and their families. When most of us were 22 years old and fresh out of college, we did not have many life experiences under our belts yet. Nursing can be an intense and demand career, between applying emergency care, dealing with difficult patients and families, and everything in between. It is hard for anyone to perform under those pressures, especially when you are so young. Being older and having likely dealt with more stressful situations than a first career nurse gives you an upper hand. The soft skills are equally as important as the technical, medical skills in the nursing field, so it is crucial for all nurses to be able to excel in both areas. Second career nurses may be better equipped than most to hit the ground running and successfully jump into their new jobs.
The importance of both first and second career nurses
No matter how much or how little first and second career nurses have in common, they rely on each other on several ways. The intuitions that both bring into the hospital balance each other out, and both groups are able to benefit. Second career nurses stand to learn a lot from their first career coworkers, as they have been nurses for longer and are able to show them the ropes. Many people can attest to how much they learn on the job from interacting with their coworkers, and it is no different with nursing.
For first career nurses, there are many macro level career tips that they can learn from second career nurses. Having been in other industries and roles, second career nurses can bring a unique perspective to others on what it means to have a successful career. This advice could very well lead to their first career coworkers to increased job satisfaction, tips on how to negotiate higher salaries, and even open their eyes to other career paths. The wisdom and insights that are brought to the table are not to be underestimated.
Overall, both first career and second career nurses are valuable members of the healthcare team and play important roles in providing quality care to patients. Both first career nurses and second career nurses have the potential to excel in the field, and their success will depend on their individual skills, experience, and motivation. What is most important is to have the passion for helping others, as that is what truly makes a nurse great at their job.