The current significant human resource and workforce shortages of registered nurses (RNs) are impacting urban, suburban, and rural hospitals and healthcare facilities all over the globe, regardless of the entities' economic and financial backgrounds. The purpose of this research study is to understand why non-traditional, returning, evening, and adult (NTREA) students decided to enrol at the Associate Degree in Nursing programme during their mid-adulthood? 40 s-career nursing students who are pursuing their nursing programme were invited to individual interview sessions and focus group activities on sharing and expressing the motivations in the New England region in the United States. Based on the theoretical framework of Social Cognitive Career Theory, the researcher concluded that family consideration and higher social status were two of the major themes. The study provided a blueprint for human resource professionals, health and social caring leaders, government agencies, policymakers, and researchers to reform their current nursing curriculum and health workforce policy to attract potential second-career nursing joining the nursing profession.
Keywords: and adult students; associate degree; career changer; career development; community college; evening; non-traditional; nurse shortage; nursing education; registered nurse; returning; second career; social cognitive career theory.