If you are considering a career change, you may be asking, “Should I become a nurse?” Nursing offers meaningful work, a wide range of career options, and strong employment prospects, but it also requires rigorous education, critical thinking, physical stamina, and emotional resilience.
At Concordia University Irvine, the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program in Southern California prepares students for the registered nurse (RN) licensure exam and the challenges of a nursing career. If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 65 college credits, you can earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in as few as 15 months.
Understanding the role before committing to nursing school can help you make a more informed choice. Consider what nurses do, the benefits and challenges of the profession, and whether the work fits your strengths and long-term goals.
What Is a Nurse?
A nurse is a licensed healthcare professional who collaborates with physicians and other healthcare team members to plan and provide care. They have a variety of responsibilities, depending on their specialty and clinical environment.
Generally, a nurse will:
- Assess patients
- Administer medications
- Coordinate care
- Deliver treatments
- Educate patients
- Monitor health changes
Nurses must combine scientific knowledge with careful observation, communication, and compassion. During one shift, a nurse might administer medication, review test results, update an electronic health record, explain discharge instructions, and comfort a worried family.
The work also varies by setting and specialty. Nurses can work in:
- Clinics
- Hospitals
- Patients’ homes
- Physicians’ offices
- Public health agencies
- Schools
They may focus on areas such as pediatrics, critical care, oncology, mental health, community health, or nursing informatics. This variety allows nurses to explore new directions as their interests develop.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Being a Nurse?
Nursing is a highly rewarding career; however, it also has some challenges. To help decide whether this career path is right for you, weigh the pros and cons of being a nurse.
Benefits of Being a Nurse
Nursing provides you with the opportunity to make a difference in others’ lives. Nurses help patients understand their conditions, advocate for their needs, and navigate vulnerable moments safely and with dignity.
The profession can also provide practical benefits. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median annual wage of $97,550 for RNs in May 2025 and projects employment to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
Other benefits of becoming a nurse include:
- Career advancement opportunities: Nurses can advance their careers by earning certifications, pursuing leadership positions, or enrolling in graduate education.
- Many specialties and work environments: Nurses can specialize by population, condition, clinical environment, or a combination of the three.
- Flexible work schedules: Nurses can work 12-hour, 10-hour, or eight-hour full-time shifts, have multiple days off per week, or work part-time or per diem.
No two days are the same for a nurse. The career offers diverse work that combines science, critical thinking, communication, and service.
Challenges of Being a Nurse
Like any profession, nursing has its challenges. Nurses carry significant responsibility. They must notice changes in a patient’s condition, follow safety procedures, document care accurately, and communicate concerns quickly. Mistakes can have serious consequences, so nurses must remain attentive even when a unit is busy or priorities change.
The role is also physically demanding. Depending on the setting, nurses work long shifts and spend much of their time standing, walking, and helping move patients.
Additionally, nursing can be emotionally demanding. RNs may care for people experiencing severe pain, grief, uncertainty, or life-threatening conditions.
While you may face challenges, you can meet them by leaning on support systems and prioritizing self-care. Know that challenges are temporary and there are many rewards that make the career fulfilling and worth it for many people.
Is Nursing a Good Career for You?
Is nursing a good career? Consider your strengths, expectations, motivations, and readiness for the educational commitment to decide whether this path is right for you.
Consider Your Strengths and Personal Qualities
Nurses wear many hats, so they need a diverse skill set. Common skills include:
- Adaptability
- Attention to detail
- Communication
- Compassion
- Critical thinking
- Emotional resilience
- Organization
You do not need to arrive at nursing school with every skill fully developed, but you should be willing to practice them and accept feedback.
Think about how you respond when information is incomplete or plans change. Can you ask focused questions, listen without making assumptions, and organize priorities? Can you accept accountability while learning? These habits are important because nursing requires both clinical judgment and close teamwork.
Understand the Realities of Patient Care
Patient care goes beyond medication administration or patient assessments. Nurses may assist with personal care, manage bodily fluids, respond to distress, and speak with patients or families who are upset.
They must also protect privacy, respect cultural differences, and remain professional during difficult conversations with patients and coworkers.
While nurses often navigate challenging circumstances, they also experience rewarding highs. They are there for patients when they achieve health milestones or become well enough for discharge.
As a nursing student, you will gain first-hand experience providing patient care while under the supervision of instructors and nursing preceptors. In Concordia University Irvine’s ABSN, you will complete a total of 765 clinical hours in the Orange County, Los Angeles County, and Inland Empire areas, preparing you for the realities of patient care in a variety of healthcare settings.
Evaluate Your Goals and Motivations
It’s important to know your “why” because it will guide you through nursing school and your career. Perhaps you’ve been inspired by nurses you’ve met, are driven by a desire to help others, or have always been interested in the health sciences.
When changing careers to nursing, know that your previous experience can also be an asset. Experience in business, education, technology, science, customer service, or another field may have strengthened the skills you can bring to nursing.
A career change does not erase what you already know. It gives you a new context in which to apply it.
Think About the Education and Time Commitment
If you are wondering, “Should I be a nurse?” consider whether you are ready to make nursing school a priority. Accelerated programs compress nursing content and clinical preparation into a shorter timeframe. That format can help qualified students enter the field sooner, but the pace requires consistent study, planning, and support.
At Concordia University Irvine, an ABSN admissions counselor can help you understand prerequisite requirements and determine how your previous college credits transfer. They will review your transcripts and help you decide whether the ABSN program is right for you.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing Nursing
Use these questions to help decide if nursing is the right career for you.
- Am I interested in learning health science and applying it to real patient situations?
- Can I communicate respectfully with people whose experiences and perspectives differ from mine?
- How do I respond to pressure, uncertainty, and constructive feedback?
- Which work settings or patient populations interest me?
- Am I ready to commit to nursing school or an accelerated BSN program?
- What do I hope nursing will offer that my current path does not?
What Education Do You Need to Become a Nurse?
RNs must complete an approved nursing education program and meet the licensure requirements of the state where they plan to practice. A BSN provides preparation in patient care as well as communication, leadership, evidence-based practice, population health, and critical thinking.
Complete Nursing Prerequisites
If enrolling in an accelerated BSN program, you will likely need to complete prerequisites before starting. Prerequisites build the scientific and general education foundation needed for nursing coursework.
While requirements differ by program, Concordia University Irvine’s prerequisites include courses such as:
- Chemistry
- Human Anatomy
- Human Physiology
- Microbiology
- Human Nutrition
- Written Communication
- Introduction to Sociology or Cultural Anthropology
Your admissions counselor will review your transcripts to identify which of your previous credits transfer and which prerequisites you must complete before your target start date. They will also help you enroll in the remaining courses and check in with you throughout the process to ensure you remain on track.
Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing
After completing the necessary prerequisites and gaining admission, students participate in nursing coursework and supervised clinical learning.
Concordia University Irvine offers campus-based study at the Spectrum Campus in Irvine, California, and a hybrid option through its learning site in Rancho Cucamonga, California. The hybrid format combines online coursework with in-person simulation labs and clinical experiences. Both pathways require students to participate in labs and clinicals to gain hands-on experience.
Pass the NCLEX-RN and Obtain Licensure
After graduating from an approved nursing program, an aspiring RN must meet the applicable state board of nursing requirements and pass the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. Additional licensure requirements include:
- An application
- Background check
- Fees
- Fingerprinting
Review the board of nursing rules for the state where you intend to practice.
Passing the exam and receiving an RN license marks the beginning of professional practice, not the end of learning. Nurses continue building competence through workplace orientation, experience, continuing education, and, when relevant, specialty certification or graduate study.
Take the Next Step Toward Becoming a Nurse
So, why become a nurse? Nursing may be a solid fit if you are drawn to a meaningful career, health science, collaboration, and continued learning. The best decision is grounded in research, self-reflection, and a realistic education plan.
If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 65 non-nursing college credits, your previous education may help you begin a new path. Concordia University Irvine’s ABSN program offers a fast track to earning a BSN in as few as 15 months.
Contact an admissions counselor today to discuss whether Concordia University Irvine’s ABSN program is right for you.