Apply Your Knowledge To An Accelerated Nursing Curriculum
Furthermore, as someone who has a BS in biology, youll probably have an easier time with your professional nursing coursework than someone from a liberal arts background, especially when it comes to skills application. After all, nurses need to understand the foundations of life, which is exactly what biology teaches.
During your clinical rotations in diverse areas of nursing practice, youll come to fully understand how biology plays a significant role in patient care. In fact, nurses use biology on a daily basis to make informed decisions about patient management.
More specifically, nurses use biology to:
- Provide treatment options based on body composition and family history.
- Ensure patients are prescribed the right medication for their medical status.
- Determine dosage calculations for administering medication to patients.
- Restore balance in the body so patients can regain proper health.
Switching From Biology To Nursing: Why It Fits And How To Apply
Sometimes its not until youve spent some time in a field that you realize its not a good fit. After working for a few years as a scientific researcher studying metagenomics and microbiology, Todd found himself facing a major life decision.
I got a publication and was at a crossroads of whether I wanted to do research science and go into that field, says Todd, adding that it resulted in offers to pursue a masters and Ph.D. Or I could do something else. However, what that something else might be was yet to be decided.
Many students who earn a degree in biology with specific career ambitions may decide to change their career path later on, but might still want to apply the skills that they developed through their degree. Luckily, earning a nursing degree through Concordia University, St. Pauls Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program offers a viable career path for non-nursing bachelors degree holders to earn a degree in as few as 16 months. This is Todds story of switching from biology to nursing through Concordia University, St. Paul.
How Long Is An Accelerated Bachelors Program
Depending on the program structure and intensity, accelerated programs range from 12 months to 19 months, though some can be as long as 2 years. During these months, you will be taking nursing-specific courses, many of which may be condensed in order to accommodate the faster pace towards graduation.
It is important to know that the advertised length of the program does not include the time it may take to complete the prerequisite courses that are required in order to apply.
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Apply For Licensure And Take The Nclex
Once you graduate with a BSN, youre ready to apply for nursing licensure in the state where youll work as a nurse. The state board of nursing will then grant you approval to take the National Council Licensure Examination , the major checkpoint before earning your license.
The NCLEX is an exam that every nursing school graduate must pass to be able to legally practice the profession. It helps determine if youre prepared for entry-level nursing practice. In other words, the exam serves to protect the public. Its a challenging test, but as a graduate of the ABSN program at Felician, youll be prepared to sit for the NCLEX with confidence.
Once you pass the NCLEX and receive your license, youre a registered nurse credentials that can take you down an extraordinary career path.
Start Your First Nursing Job
Its finally time to find your first nursing job. With your BSN and RN license, youll be poised to apply for myriad inpatient or outpatient nursing positions. If you made connections with other nurses during clinical rotations, you may be able to use that network to help you in the job-seeking process.
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Put Your Bs In Biology Toward A Future In Nursing
If transitioning from your BS in biology to nursing sounds like a good idea, you can set your future in motion as soon as today. It just takes one call to our admissions team to see if our ABSN track is a good fit for you.
While youre speaking with an enrollment advisor, be sure to ask about the two course delivery options we have available for your accelerated nursing educationyou can either complete your core nursing courses online or face-to-face in a traditional classroom setting.
Accelerate Your Path: Bachelors Degree In Biology To Bsn Degree
Having already spent four years earning one bachelors degree, the last thing you want to do is draw out the process of going back to school and, subsequently, taking the National Council Licensure Examination , any longer than need be. That is what makes Accelerated BSN programs so valuable to career changers. Whether you have a degree in biology, business or what have you, these programs can offer a bachelors degree in less time than a traditional program because they allow you to apply previous coursework toward prerequisite requirements.
However, it is not just by leveraging previous college coursework that an accelerated nursing program makes it possible to become a nurse sooner than a traditional, four-year program. Before we discuss how holding a biology degree puts you a step closer to becoming a nurse, it is important to understand how our ABSN program works.
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Ready To Use Your Biology Degree To Become A Nurse
Maybe you pursued a biology degree with the intention of going to medical school or of pursuing a career in medical research, but now you want to become a nurse. Whatever your reasons, rather than wishing you had done it all differently, you can transition from a bachelors degree in biology to BSN degree in as few as 12 months through our Accelerated BSN program.
To find out if Mercer ABSN is right for you, give us a call today, or fill out the form to have an enrollment counselor reach out to you later.
How Long Do Accelerated Msn Programs Take To Complete
The Accelerated MSN program may take up to 3 years to complete and clinical hours or a preceptorship are required. Usually, these programs are structured as an accelerated BSN followed immediately by two years of graduate school.
Admission criteria for the Accelerated MSN program generally include:
- Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing major from an accredited college or university
- GPA of at least 3.0
- Letters of reference, usually 2 academic and 1 professional
- Graduate Record Examination within 5 years of application
- Test of English as a Foreign Language if English is not the student’s primary language
The AACN has developed The Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing which outlines 9 areas of core curriculum which must be covered in Master’s level education. These core curricula are:
- Nursing Ethics
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Are There Online Options
While most BSN accelerated programs are brick and mortar, more online options have become available. By completing the track online, students are typically responsible for setting up their clinical experience in order to meet the required hours at the bedside. This may include the responsibility of approaching the facilities affiliated with your program and finding a preceptor to shadow when completing your hours.
*Note: It is a good idea to begin your search of online BSN accelerated programs by speaking to those who work at the facilities near you. This will help assure that you are applying to a program that will accommodate your locale.
For a few examples of the requirements of online accelerated programs, check is this one at Texas A& M Corpus Christi and another one at Emory University.
Clinical Internship/practicum Experience Update
Many of the clinical programs offered by the Waters College of Health Professions require a clinical internship or practicum experience to fulfill degree requirements. Pursuant to the University’s legal agreements, participants in clinical experiences are required to abide by the workplace rules of the clinical site. The University is aware of recent federal requirements that would mandate vaccination against COVID-19 for those working in certain settings, including health care. At this time, we expect that these new requirements may significantly impact our ability to locate a placement for students who remain unvaccinated. As always, WCHP will continue to make every effort to place students at clinical sites. However, please be aware that we may be unable to locate a site to accept unvaccinated students, which may cause a delay or inability to progress and complete the program of study.
School of Nursing
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Is An Accelerated Nursing Program The Same As A Bridge Program
Both accelerated nursing programs and bridge programs offer paths to nursing degrees, but they are very different. Accelerated programs are designed for students who have a bachelors degree in another area. It allows them to take nursing courses at a fast pace and earn their BSN quickly. They arent meant for people with prior nursing experience.
In contrast, bridge programs are designed for current nurses who want to further their nursing education and seek a higher-level. For example, a licensed practical nurse can use a bridge program to earn their BSN without needing to spend four years in school. Similarly, an RN who has earned an Associate Degree in Nursing can pursue their Master of Science in Nursing degree with an RN-to-MSN bridge program.
What do they have in common? Both accelerated nursing programs and bridge programs save students time and money by allowing them to earn their degrees more quickly than they would pursuing traditional pathways.
Find A Nursing School That Aligns With Your Goals
The first step in transitioning from biology to nursing is to assess your career goals and timelines so you can find a nursing program that best suits you. If you have a biology education, a BSN degree program is ideal for your career prospects, salary and personal growth opportunities. Another consideration is timeline. Because you already have a bachelors degree in biology, accelerated BSN tracks like the 16-month track at UIW in San Antonio are an efficient option for finishing your degree sooner.
You also may want to consider relocating for nursing school, as this opens you up to have enriching experiences in bustling healthcare hubs. You also may be able to save time by getting into a school with multiple start dates each year, like that of the University of the Incarnate Word, which has start dates in January, May and August.
Does it matter where you get your nursing degree? Learn more about what to look for in nursing programs and how to decide which one is right for you.
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Are There Online Accelerated Nursing Programs
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Is An Accelerated Bsn In Nursing Right For You
As with any educational commitment, deciding to pursue an accelerated BSN is not a decision to be taken lightly. To start, its a big financial investment and theres also the fact that for the next 11-18 months, your life will revolve around the program on a full-time basis. That being said, here are some of the pros of choosing this type of program:
- Although its possible to work as an RN without a BSN, many employers will indicate that a BSN is preferred. In other words, gaining access to more exclusive opportunities will likely require a Bachelors degree. The same goes for promotions and advancement opportunities.
- Youll be ready to move forward should you decide to pursue Advanced Practice Nurse specializations, such as a Nurse Practitioner , Certified Nurse Anesthetist , or Nurse Midwife .
- While your starting salary as an RN will likely be the same whether or not you have a BSN , there is more potential for higher earnings for those with strong educational credentials.
On the flipside, an associate degree in nursing is usually a less expensive option that can still get you into the profession in two years. This option may be more realistic for those who cant commit to the stringent, full-time student schedule that being an accelerated BSN student demands or if your goal is to strictly work as a bedside nurse. And many ADN RN-to-BSN programs are designed for working nurses and can be completed completely online.
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University Of Alaska Fairbanks
At the University of Alaska Fairbanks, students can earn a respected accelerated biology degree. Students can choose from a BA or a BS, though only the BA is available online. Its a small program in which students can work closely with their professors and gain hands-on experiences in biology. The program culminates in a customizable capstone research project that can help students gain a head start on their careers.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks is a school designed to help students make the most of their opportunities. The backdrop of Alaska makes a great place to study biology, since its home to lots of unique forms of life. UAF provides an exceptional education for students who want to make a positive impact on the world around them. This school fosters the drive to succeed.
What We Like: Times Higher Education ranked UAF #1 in the US for quality education.
Degree: BA in Biology
Prospective Student Information Sessions
Interested students are invited to attend a Prospective Student Information Session to learn more about our programs leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing , a Master of Science in Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice . These sessions will provide details on admission requirements, prerequisite coursework, student life, clinical experiences and other opportunities. Students are required to attend a PSIS prior to requesting an individual appointment.
- Reservations are required to attend a session
- Guests of registered attendees are welcome
- Sessions last approximately an hour to an hour-and-a-half
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Why Choose Nursing In Chicago Illinois
After graduating with your BSN degree you will be free to practice nursing in a wide array of settings. But also, given the effects of the ever-present nursing shortage, you can also go almost anywhere in the United States and find job openings for registered nurses. However, if your plan is to practice the profession within what the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics refers to as the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights division, youll be working in a metropolitan area that, as of May 2021, has one of the highest employment levels for registered nurses in the country.
Nurses in Illinois currently earn an annual mean wage of $78,260, higher than the national average wage, with Chicago-based institutions often offering higher wages than throughout the rest of the state. Beyond wages alone, Chicago is also a regional hub for high quality health-care organizations and plenty of opportunities for career advancement without needing to move cities or states.
S To Register For The Nclex
Be sure to talk to your school about the requirements for signing up for the NCLEX. They can help you with timing and steps. The process can take some time, so dont wait until the last minute. Here are some important steps you need to take to register for the big day:
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Speak With An Admissions Representative
Your assigned representative will guide you through the admissions process every step of the way. Theyll work hard to ensure that once you meet the admissions requirements you are placed in the program ASAP. Your representative will make sure our program is a good fit for you, and help you map out your goals for your nursing career. Regardless of the time it takes you to enroll in the program, after earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, you are likely to be sought after by employers for years to come.
BSN Nurses Are Wanted According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the healthcare industry is expected to drive our nations employment growth through 2030 by adding close to 3.3 million new jobs, accounting for the fastest projected job growth of any sector. These jobs will replace retiring nurses and offer new nurses the opportunity to address the ever-evolving demands of healthcare.
You representative will help to ensure you are meeting application deadlines, help you gather all the needed materials, and ensure that your previous degree credits are put to good use.
How To Go From A Bs In Biology To Nursing Career
With help from Loyola Universitys 2nd Degree Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing track, you can go from a BS in biology to nursing in as few as 16 months. Nursing makes use of your previous degree while placing you in a highly in-demand career.
Did you know the transition from a BS in biology to nursing can be as few as 16 months? Its true. The ABSN track at Loyola University Chicago can put your existing natural sciences degree toward a future in one of todays most in-demand professions. In other words, we give you credit for what youve already accomplished so that you can jump right into professional nursing study upon meeting all of our admission requirements.
Youll also find that we have one of the most accessible accelerated nursing tracks in the Chicago area, offering two start dates a year at our locations in Maywood and Downers Grove, Illinois.
While our 16-month ABSN track welcomes bachelors degree holders from all different fields of study, many of our ABSN students come from a biology background, which makes sense because so much of the nursing profession stems from the natural sciences.
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