Six Reasons to Transition from Veteran to RN

Servicemembers considering starting a new chapter after their time in the military might find fulfillment and a sense of purpose by exercising their skills as registered nurses (RNs). Making the transition from veteran to RN and launching a rewarding nursing career involves several steps. Nursing school is challenging, yet it opens the door to the exciting and diverse healthcare field.

If you hold a bachelor’s degree or at least 65 non-nursing college credits from a regionally accredited institution, Concordia University Irvine’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program offers a fast-track to a nursing career.

There are several reasons why becoming a nurse after the military makes sense, including continuing a career serving others, using transferable skills, competitive pay, advancement opportunities, and more.

1. You Can Continue Your Service to Others

Nurses are typically highly compassionate people. Their job is to ensure the health and well-being of their patients. Many nurses choose the profession because they want to help people, even save lives. Studies have shown that a sense of purpose is crucial to workers, especially Millennials and Gen Zs. Those who have that purpose are more engaged and are less likely to leave their jobs, McKinsey & Co. wrote.

Nurses are generally happy with their profession. More than 80% of nurses said they were moderately or extremely satisfied with their jobs in 2021.

At Concordia University Irvine, our ABSN is founded on a nursing philosophy of care, compassion, and competency. Our curriculum is designed to instill in students a philosophical and scientific approach to nursing. They will learn to treat patients holistically, provide culturally sensitive care, and confidently demonstrate strong clinical and professional skills.

2. Use Your Transferrable Skills

In the military, you have learned valuable technical and leadership skills that provide a solid foundation for a nursing career. Whether or not you served in a healthcare role, the qualities you gained will appeal to employers.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employer Guide to Hiring Veterans, veterans have desirable qualities such as:

• Creative problem-solving
• Initiative
• Leadership abilities
• Performance under pressure
• Strong work ethic
• Technical skills

They also have good communication skills and manage their time well, which are valuable traits, as nurses must collaborate with other healthcare providers and care for multiple patients at once.

3. Nurses Are in Demand

The need for nurses is great across the country. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that nursing employment will increase 6% by 2033, faster than the national average for all occupations.

In California, where Concordia University Irvine’s ABSN program site is located, the report Forecasts of the Registered Nurse Workforce in California indicates that the state has a shortage of more than 25,000 nurses. Many experienced RNs left the workforce between 2020 and 2022 for various reasons, such as retirement. The gap between supply and demand could close over the next several years, however.

Becoming a nurse would help fill the gap and give you opportunities for career advancement.

4. Nurses Earn Competitive Pay

As a civilian nurse, you would earn a competitive base salary and more depending on specialization and education. The annual median wage of RNs nationwide is $86,070, according to the BLS.

Nurses with master’s degrees who are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), such as nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives, earn a median annual salary of $129,480.

5. There Are a Variety of Specialties to Choose From

Once you earn your nursing degree and pass the licensing exam, you can work in a variety of settings or specialties. Civilian nurses are needed in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and clinics, to name just a few roles.

Some specialties have certifications offered by various organizations. The American Nurses Credentialing Center, for example, offers certifications in Ambulatory Care Nursing, Gerontological Nursing, Informatics, and more.

Popular nursing roles include:

Cardiac Nurse

Cardiovascular, or cardiac, nurses care for patients with acute heart conditions, such as coronary heart disease, cardiac arrest, and other diseases.

Emergency Room Nurse

Emergency room nurses work in the fast-paced environment of hospital emergency departments. They triage patients when they arrive and provide care until a patient is stabilized and transferred to another department or discharged.

Labor and Delivery Nurse

Labor and delivery nurses care for patients during the birthing process. They administer medication, monitor a patient’s vital signs, and perform other duties under the supervision of an obstetrician or midwife. They can also assist during c-sections.

Medical-Surgical Nurse

According to the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses, medical-surgical nurses care for adults with a variety of medical issues or those preparing for or recovering from surgery. Because they encounter patients with a variety of medical issues, they must be well-versed in all adult health conditions.

Oncology Nurse

Oncology nurses work with patients undergoing cancer treatments. They typically administer treatments, provide emotional support, and educate patients and families.

6. You Will Have Career Advancement Opportunities

In addition to deepening your knowledge by focusing on a certain specialty, there are a number of career advancement opportunities within nursing, from unit manager to hospital executive.

Nurse leaders and managers do more than perform administrative tasks. They contribute to safe environments and higher-quality care by supporting nursing teams, ensuring compliance and facilitating collaboration.

Nurse manager roles can include:

• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
• Charge nurse
• Health services manager
• Nurse manager
• Unit manager

Nurse leader roles can include:

• Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
• Nurse educator
• Nurse leader
• Nursing director

Managerial and leadership roles often require advanced degrees, including a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

A BSN degree will prepare you to pursue those paths.

The Pathway to Becoming a Nurse After the Military

Moving from veteran to RN would require you to earn a nursing degree and pass the NCLEX licensing exam.

Earn a Nursing Degree

Most RNs hold either an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree. Nurses with a BSN positively impact patient outcomes, according to studies.

If you hold a bachelor’s degree or at least 65 non-nursing college credits, Concordia’s ABSN program could enable you to earn your nursing degree in as few as 15 months. Our program offers two learning modality options: campus-based in Irvine or hybrid in Rancho Cucamonga.

An ABSN program offers several benefits, including completing your degree in a shorter timeframe than a traditional program, hybrid learning options, and several start dates per year.

Become Licensed

Once you have earned your nursing degree, you will be able to take the NCLEX. Be sure to start studying early for this rigorous licensing exam and enlist the help of your fellow students, professors, and test-prep resources.

Launch Your Nursing Career at Concordia University Irvine

Concordia University Irvine believes nursing is both an art and a science. It is committed to educating a diverse student population to become competent, compassionate, and holistic nurses.

The ABSN program’s curriculum is comprised of four semesters, with courses in pathophysiology, nursing foundations, behavioral health, health assessment, and more. Students apply what they’ve learned in nursing skills labs and clinicals at local healthcare facilities.

Contact our admissions counselors today to learn how to transition from veteran to RN on an accelerated timeline.Transition from veteran to RN with Concordia University Irvine’s ABSN program in as few as 15 months if you have a degree or college credits.