Whether you’re brand new to the job market, or a seasoned professional who’s looking to reinvent her career, nursing is a smart—and exciting!—option. For high school graduates, there are many different ways to pursue nursing. Ditto for those who already have some healthcare-related credits and experience.
Even if you already have a four-year degree in a different discipline, you might be surprised to discover how seamlessly you can transition into nursing. Accelerated BSN programs make it possible, by building on your general education/liberal arts credits, and focusing on the clinical/hard science credits nurses need to succeed. In fact, qualified candidates can earn a bachelor of science in nursing pretty quickly.
Exactly how quickly? That depends on the classes you took during your first degree (e.g. life science and math courses), and the curriculum requirements of your new program. Typically, qualified students can earn their BSN in approximately 12 to 18 months.
Why is that extra year of schooling worth your time? Here are three reasons:
1. Nursing is one of America’s fastest-growing careers.
Right now lots of professionals are looking to make a career change—especially as the knowledge economy is changing many job descriptions, and wiping out some careers altogether. (How many travel agents do you know?)
Nursing, on the other hand, is a stable, growing field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing is expected to generate more than 500,000 jobs over the next eight years. And the average salaries for nurses definitely outpace other popular career-changer fields (like education).
2. Accelerated BSN program grads may be more marketable.
Graduates of accelerated BSN programs are often very attractive to potential employers, once they complete their coursework, pass the NCLEX, and obtain proper licensing. What makes them so marketable? Maturity, career perspective, and dedication. By investing time and effort in additional schooling (on top of a four-year degree), career changers demonstrate a real commitment to the RN calling.
Further, many academic majors serve as great complements to a nursing role. Former psychology majors bring a strong understanding of intrapersonal relations—even advanced insights on grief and loss. Former business majors may be excellent assets as nurse supervisors and floor managers. English majors, Spanish majors, and communications majors bring obvious skills, as well.
3. BSN nurses enjoy huge opportunities for advancement.
A nursing career is unique in its ability to grow and evolve. Registered nurses—especially those with a BSN—can go on to pursue various specialties or opt to work with specific patient populations (children, seniors, newborns and expectant mothers, etc.). If you eventually decide to build on your education with a master’s degree or doctorate, opportunities in advanced practice nursing are bountiful.
If you’d like to know more about accelerated BSN programs, our RN bridge curriculum, or other nursing coursework, please contact a specialist at Achieve Test Prep. We offer various programs that can help you earn your BSN or RN quickly—saving you money and getting you started in your career faster. Our convenient schedule options include part-time study, campus-based study in 25 locations, and live instruction via online BSN classes.
