Making a Successful Transition from Military to College Life

The transition to a civilian career can be difficult for many veterans. People who found a strong sense of purpose in the military sometimes find civilian occupations unfulfilling. Many veterans choose to go back to school, but if you choose this option, you want to be confident that your education investment will pay off with good opportunities for stable, well-paying employment. Out of all the career choices available for veterans, becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) offers some attractive advantages. Let’s look at what makes it stand out.

RN employment opportunities

When you’re considering what career path to take after leaving the military, there’s no getting around the need to consider employment prospects and how much you can expect to make. This is especially important if you’re going to go back to school to get ready for your new occupation. From a practical standpoint, this is one of the biggest advantages to becoming an RN.

There is great demand for RNs. The U.S. government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that growth in the profession will be higher than average through at least the year 2033. The factors driving the significant job growth in nursing, like an aging population, mean that it’s unlikely that demand for RNs will decline any time soon.

What’s more, working as an RN offers the prospect of good compensation. While salaries for RNs can vary based on many factors, the median annual wage for RNs was over $93,000, according to BLS data from 2024.

Transferable skills

Even for veterans who weren’t in medical specialties during their time in the armed forces, military life instills many important “soft skills” that are applicable to working as an RN.

Veterans are used to working as part of a team and to adapting quickly to changing situations. They’re disciplined, pay attention to details, and have good problem-solving abilities. Whatever your specialty was in the military, the fundamental culture of military service can prepare you for the intensity of working in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

Fulfilling work

One of the major problems for some veterans is struggling to find fulfillment in civilian 9-to-5 occupations. After serving your country, you want a job that gives you a similar sense of purpose and meaning.

When you choose to become an RN, you’ll know that the work you do is absolutely essential. As a member of a healthcare team, you’ll know that you’re making a difference every day by helping people get and stay healthy. The option to specialize in a particular area of healthcare practice that interests you as you progress in your career can give you even greater job satisfaction.

Become an RN with Sumner

Sumner College can help veterans who want to become RNs start their civilian careers faster. Our Bachelor of Science in Nursing program can be completed in less than three years. It’s taught in a blended online/in-person format that makes preparing for your new career easier to balance with other commitments. Get in touch with us today to find out more.

Resources:

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm

https://nursingeducation.org/resources/career-guide-for-veterans/