Is nursing school worth it? Is nursing a good career? If you’re interested in a high-paying career in a growth industry, then nursing school can definitely be worth it for you. Nursing also offers advancement and specialization opportunities.

There are quite a few compelling reasons why you might decide to go back to school. You should also know that earning a nursing degree doesn’t necessarily require four more years in school. You could be helping people in your community much sooner than you’d think if you attend Concordia University, St. Paul’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program. Our Accelerated BSN program is made up of interactive online courses, skills labs, and clinical learning, and can allow you to graduate in as few as 16 months after completing any necessary prerequisites.

When figuring out the answer to the question, “Is becoming a nurse worth it?” consider factors like the job growth rate, earning potential, and career advancement opportunities. You should also consider the career pathway and how you can get started with a nursing career.

Is Nursing School Worth It for You? 8 Factors to Consider

Nursing school offers a chance to start a new career focused on making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. People who are hospitalized or otherwise in need of care can benefit from your nursing knowledge, as well as a sympathetic ear and a compassionate touch. You could give them what they need during a challenging time in their life or help support their ongoing quest for a healthy life.

Beyond the ability to make a positive difference in the world, is nursing a good career in other aspects, like job prospects and salary potential? Consider the following factors.

1. Nurses Are in High Demand

The healthcare field has long enjoyed robust job growth, and this is expected to continue. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job growth rate for registered nurses (RNs) is expected to be 6% from 2023 through 2033, faster than average. This indicates that healthcare employers expect to hire about 197,200 new nurses through this time period.

2. A Nursing Career Offers a Solid Return on Investment

Another reason to consider becoming a nurse is the robust compensation. RNs can expect strong salary potential during their careers. According to the BLS, RNs earn a median annual salary of $93,600 as of May 2024. In addition, RNs can generally expect a substantial benefits package.

3. Healthcare Employers Prefer BSN-Prepared Nurses

As a nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, you’ll enjoy distinct opportunities that ADN-prepared nurses may not, like more job opportunities. Healthcare employers generally prefer to hire BSN-prepared nurses over ADN-prepared nurses because having a BSN offers certain advantages, both for patients and for the nurses. A few of these advantages include:

• Ability to work in Magnet hospitals and U.S. military branches
• Advancement and leadership roles
• Eligibility to pursue advanced nursing degrees
• Higher salary
• Improved patient outcomes
• Job stability and long-term career growth
• More job opportunities with healthcare employers
• Options for competitive nursing specialties

These are just a few of the reasons why your answer to the question, “Is nursing school worth it?” might be yes.

4. A Wide Range of Career Paths

Nursing offers versatile employment opportunities. Although many nurses work in hospitals and outpatient physician’s offices, you can choose to work in a diverse range of employment settings. If you have an adventurous spirit, for example, you might look for employment aboard a cruise ship. If you love working with children, consider becoming a school nurse.

Other alternative work options include:

• Emergency air transport nurse
• Forensics nurse
• Home health nurse
• Hospice nurse
• Telemedicine nurse
• Travel nurse
• Public health nurse

In short, there are plenty of choices that await you after graduating from nursing school.

5. Opportunities for Career Advancement

Still not sure if nursing is right for you? Consider the wealth of opportunities for specialization and career advancement. With just a BSN and your nursing license, you can choose from a range of specialty areas like oncology, pediatrics, or dialysis. If you decide to go back to school to earn your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), you might pursue a supervisory role as a nurse manager, nurse educator, or a healthcare administrator.

If you’d like to climb the ladder but continue to provide direct patient care, you might decide to earn your doctorate (PhD or DNP) and conduct original research studies to generate new knowledge that benefits patients and nurses. You could also decide to earn a graduate degree and obtain board certification in a specialty area to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).

APRNs are highly knowledgeable, well-trained clinicians capable of providing advanced care. The four main types of APRNs are:

• Certified nurse midwife (CNM)
• Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
• Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
• Nurse practitioner (NP) - adult/gerontology, cardiac, psychiatric/mental health, women’s health, pediatric, acute care, or neonatal

Within those four main categories, there are opportunities for further specialization.

6. Nursing School Provides Experiential Learning Opportunities

Nursing school doesn’t only provide access to nursing theory coursework. You’ll also complete applied learning components, which enable you to practice nursing skills until you master them.

Nursing Skills Labs

Skills labs take place at our ABSN learning centers in either St. Paul, Minnesota, or Portland, Oregon. During the skills lab experience, you’ll practice your learned skills and techniques on your own with the supervision and input of your nursing instructor.

Clinical Learning Experiences

Clinical experiences allow you to prepare to practice in controlled learning spaces and clinical settings. At CSP Global, ABSN students begin immersive learning during their first semester.

Through clinical learning experiences, you’ll gain confidence as a student nurse and become more prepared to practice as a professional nurse in the future.

7. Choose From a Range of Work Settings

Is becoming a nurse worth it if you enjoy career flexibility? Absolutely. Nurses can choose from a diverse range of workplace settings. They can not only work in hospitals and outpatient clinics but also in schools, ambulatory clinics, standalone surgery centers, and public health offices, among other settings.

8. Nurses Tend to Get Great Benefits

Nurses not only have strong earning potential but also access to great benefits. They typically receive comprehensive health coverage, paid time off, and retirement benefits. Some healthcare employers may offer additional perks like tuition reimbursement and wellness programs.

Is an ABSN Program Worth It?

If you have a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 54 college credits, there’s no need to enroll in a traditional four-year BSN program. You may be eligible for CSP’s Accelerated BSN program. An ABSN program is definitely worth it, as it offers:

• The potential to graduate in as few as 16 months
• High-quality nursing education that combines didactic and immersive learning
• Thorough NCLEX preparation
• Three start dates to choose from each year
• Hybrid learning
• Rolling admissions

Begin Your Nursing Journey With Concordia ABSN

For our ABSN students, nursing school is worth it because it gives them an impactful career through which they can support their families and contribute to the care of their community. With our ABSN program, you can access quality nursing education and graduate with your degree in less time.

Through online learning, nursing labs, and clinical learning experiences, students can develop their skills and earn a nursing degree in as few as 16 months.

If you’re ready to start your future as a registered nurse, reach out to our team of admissions advisors today.