How To Become An Np With A Non
If youre thinking about becoming an NP , but think that your bachelors degree doesnt qualify you, then think again. With the right education and training, it is possible to become an NP with a non-nursing bachelors degree.
You might be surprised to learn that the top employers of NPs are not hospitals, clinics, or doctors offices. Some of them include retail companies like Walmart and Target insurance providers like Aetna and Cigna as well as various government agencies including the Veterans Administration, Social Security Administration, Department of Justice, and Department of Homeland Security.
Pursue Additional Training Progress Your Nursing Career
For some this may not be necessary, but for others with specific career goals in mind, this may be a great option. In the field of nursing, much like other professional industries, further schooling often results in senior-level employment opportunities, higher salaries, and greater responsibility. Fortunately, there are many options for advanced degrees in nursing. Be sure to take a look at GMercyUs own Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.
A Minor Change Of Course
Megan Labudde completed her undergraduate biology degree knowing that she wanted to end up in the medical field she just wasnt sure what her exact role would be. During her first stint in college, nursing wasnt stressed as a career option for biology majors, so she contemplated other paths like becoming a doctor or physician assistant. Upon graduation, Labudde says she was still weighing her options.
I knew I wanted to do something medical, but I just didnt know what, Labudde says.
In the meantime she opted to get as much relevant experience as she could by working at a residential home for individuals with disabilities and memory disorders. In this role, she found inspiration by observing the nurse she worked with as she interacted with patients. Labudde says she was impressed with the nurses in-depth knowledge of the patients health issues and needs, how she treated the residents and communicated with the doctor. The more she observed the nurses role, the more she could see herself as a nurse.
I feel like its such a cool thing to be able to care for patients when they are at their most vulnerable, Labudde says. Its such a privilege to be able to be a part of their journey in healing.
You need to know what youre giving your patient because you are the last line of defense, Labudde says.
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Financial Aid For Accelerated Bsn Programs
Financial aid is an especially important topic if you plan to attend an accelerated BSN program that doesnt allow students to work during school.
You may recall filing a FAFSA form when you attended school the first time. To be eligible for federal financial aid, youll need to complete this application again. If you have extenuating circumstances, such as high day care costs, youll need to provide this information to specific schools to factor into your potential aid award.
Nursing is also one of a handful of professions in which loan forgiveness may be an option.
In some cases, students will try to pick up side jobs to supplement their income. For instance, Mooney worked as a nanny near her home, but she warns it can be difficult to juggle work and school.
It allowed me to study while the kids were doing their homework, she says. This was stressful because the fixed hours prevented me from meeting classmates for study groups or staying late after class to talk to a professor.
Get Your Nursing License
Upon graduation from our Direct Entry MSN program, the next step is to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination . This step is crucial, as you must pass the NCLEX to receive nursing licensure. To help students prepare for the NCLEX, we administer practice exams each semester. As a result, our students had a 2019 NCLEX pass rate of 98% for first time and repeat testers!
One of the great things about applying for a nursing license in the state of Wisconsin is that the state belongs to the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact . This means that nurses can apply for a mutli-state license, allowing them to practice in 27 states without the need to apply for a new license.
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What Advancement Opportunities Are Available After Becoming A Registered Nurse
Becoming a registered nurse offers the chance to advance in healthcare. To do so, RNs must continue their education. If they want to become an advanced practice nurse, they must earn a master’s or a doctorate in nursing. Earning credentials in specialized areas of nursing also requires continued education credits.
Registered Nurse Diploma Program
An RN diploma remains one of the fastest ways to become a nurse. Many of these programs last 2-3 years. Students can find some programs that only need one year of study for full-time students. RN diplomas are not as popular as full degrees and offer less opportunity for advancement.
Diploma programs cover the basics required to earn RN licensure. Students complete their required supervised clinical hours while learning about foundational nursing theory and skills. In comparison, degrees include general education courses that can help students with soft skills, like critical thinking and communication. Bachelor’s degrees also tend to include more advanced nursing courses.
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A Midlife Change Of Pace
Will Hummel made the decision to become a nurse in an unexpected place: a hospital bed. At the time, he was nearly 45 years old and struggling with the grind of life. His career in sales and coaching meant weekly trips away from home and constant fretting over sales figures and earnings. Between a declining retail industry and his health, he needed a change. He knew he could use his diverse career experiences to become a successful nurse.
After years in the business world, I felt a need to do something of genuine value to others, Hummel says. This desire to build a meaningful career in the service of others, plus the fact that Im a self-proclaimed nerd for science, teaching and education, is what brought me to nursing.
After spending the rest of his medical leave preparing for the TEAS test and researching BSN programs, Hummel landed on Rasmussen University. Since he wanted to enter the nursing workforce as soon as possible, Hummel also chose the Accelerated BSN second-degree entrance option. He liked knowing that he could complete the program in a relatively short amount of timesome may complete it in as few as 18 months.1 Now, Hummel has nearly completed the program and is on the path to becoming a registered nurse. Whether he works as a bedside nurse or chooses to continue his studies beyond a BSN, hes looking forward to a truly meaningful career where he can serve others and find a work-life balance.
I am excited for my future again, he says.
Ready To Use Your Bachelors Degree To Become A Nurse
Now that you know how our 16-month ABSN program works, your next step is to contact our admission team to set your nursing education in motion. Once youve satisfied the admission requirements, you can enroll for a spring, summer, or fall term at our ABSN Learning Center in Cincinnati, Cleveland, or Columbus.
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Explore Our Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Bs Weekend Program
The weekend ASDBS program is an intensive weekend program. It is a pre-licensure program for students who already have a baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing field of study. The program consists of 5 semesters that you will complete over 18 months. Coursework and clinical will be completed on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The first cohort will begin in the Fall of 2021.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Registered Nurse
On average, an incoming nursing student can expect to become a licensed Registered Nurse in roughly three years. This is after a student fully completes the academic program at an accredited college or university.
If you are interested in becoming an RN but already possess a bachelors degree in another field, you may be eligible for an accelerated program. These programs may accept general education credits earned from other degrees, thus eliminating several semesters worth of coursework. When you pursue an accelerated nursing degree, the estimated time until completion is reduced to only 18 months.
No matter which program you choose, becoming an RN requires successful completion and a passing score on the National Council Licensure Examination . In order to sit for the exam, students must apply with a state-level nursing board. Preparation is key, and the ability to pass this crucial test may play a factor in how long it takes to achieve RN certification.
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Is There Financial Aid Available
The ASDBS Program is intended for students pursing a second bachelors degree. Therefore, many of the federal and state need-based financial aid programs, such as Pell, are not available for ASDBS students. Mercy College does not offer merit scholarship for this program. Students may have the option to utilize federal student loans to help fund their education. Mercy has a much lower tuition rate than most private colleges so many students can self-fund by utilizing our payment plan or through support from their employer. We encourage you to meet with a Financial Aid Counselor to discuss your funding options.
External funded scholarship opportunities:
- National Black Nurses Association
- National Hispanic Nurses Association
How To Become A Nurse Practitioner With A Non
There arent any academic shortcuts to becoming a nurse practitioner or advanced practice registered nurse . However, if you have a non-nursing bachelors degree, there are streamlined education options that can help you achieve some steps on an accelerated timeline, including Marian Universitys 16-month ABSN program.
Below, well break down how to become a nurse practitioner into six steps, as well as discuss how Marians ABSN program has helped two alumni pursuing NP careers excel at every stage of their journeys.https://onlineabsn.marian.edu/wp-content/uploads/infographic/np/index.html
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Taking The Mental Health Track
If you want to stay in the field of mental health, consider becoming a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner. In addition to the general accelerated nursing programs, some schools offer an accelerated program for nurse practitioners that include a mental health track. At the University of Rochester, for example, a psychology graduate could earn a BSN in one year and a masters degree within two more years. The University of Rochester also offers NP specialty tracks that include acute care, family care, adult-geriatric care, pediatrics and two psychiatric-mental health tracks, one in adult and one in child-adolescent advanced practice.
What Is A Nurse Practitioner
A nurse practitioner is a part of a larger category of health care service providers known as advanced practice registered nurses and work with others in hospitals, clinics, private practices, and research environments. Becoming a nurse practitioner can be a lengthy process. A masters degree or doctorate in nursing is required for most nurse practitioner positions. Nurse practitioners must also be licensed to practice as a registered nurse in their states and must typically achieve certification from a national organization like the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. Experience in the field of nursing is also required for licensure and certification in most areas.
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Bachelor’s Degree In Nursing
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing often takes four years to complete. This degree is ideal for those who want to learn the full professional scope of nursing as a career choice. There may be additional job and salary opportunities at this level as well.
Registered Nurses who have earned bachelors degrees are more likely to be employed in hospital settings, rather than medical offices or other types of care facilities. Becoming an RN with a bachelors degree can also mean higher entry-level salary requirements and further educational opportunities down the road.
LPNs or RNs who are seeking a bachelors degree may be eligible for LPN-BSN or RN-BSN programs, which typically take one to three years to complete. Because these candidates already have prior education and licensure in nursing, they can put those prior credits toward their bachelors degree and finish faster than a traditional 4-year program.
Accelerated BSN programs are another option for career changers who may have a bachelors degree in another field and would like to become a nurse. State-approved accelerated BSN programs – like 4-year BSN programs – allow the graduate to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam at the end of their program.
Can I Become A Nurse Practitioner Without Nursing Experience
Nursing experience is required to become a nurse practitioner, but there are MSN options that do not require a BSN or prior nursing experience.Direct-entry MSN programs, sometimes referred to as accelerated nursing programs, are nursing programs for those without prior nursing experience or education. They enable career changers who have a bachelors degree or masters degree in another subject to pursue a career in nursing. These programs typically take around two to four years to complete and include general prerequisite nursing courses.
During an MSN program, youll gain hundreds of hours of clinical experience. Direct-entry MSN programs specifically provide coursework for you to first become a RN and earn licensure and then pursue coursework to help fulfill your career as an advanced practice registered nurse .
Youll likely be required to earn clinical experience post-graduation to earn your certification as a nurse practitioner and subsequently pursue state licensure. Be sure to check with your states nursing licensure requirements before applying to MSN programs.
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Apply Your Biology Degree Toward A Bsn Today
Are you ready to put your existing undergraduate education toward a rewarding new nursing career? Through the Misericordia University ABSN program, you can switch from biology to nursing and give your existing degree new purpose by earning a BSN in as few as 16 months. Contact an admissions counselor today to learn more.
How Do I Become A Nasa Nurse
It should be clear to anyone aspiring to be a NASA nurse that becoming an RN is the first step toward becoming a nurse. If you want to become an RN, you must pass the requirements of a nursing program that your State Nursing Board has approved regardless of whether it is a bachelors or associates program. Examining as a registered nurse is an important part of completing this training.
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Clinical Partnerships In Ohio
Whether you enroll for our Cincinnati, Cleveland, or Columbus location, your clinical rotations start during semester one. We schedule your clinicals for you. However, we cant guarantee placement in a specific hospital or facility. We partner with some of the best health-care providers in Ohio, including Mercy Health, Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center, Ohio Health, and the Cleveland Clinic.
Get A Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Receive a nurse practitioner certificate in your chosen medical field. Some aspiring nurse practitioners choose to enroll in a certificate program that requires additional higher education courses. Taking a certificate course may be the best option if your chosen field of medicine is more specialized, such as for newborn or older adult care. You may also decide instead to take a national nurse practitioner examination offered by a reputable medical organization.
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Labs And Clinical Disclaimer
Please be aware that due to COVID-19 restrictions and limitations, our labs and in-person clinicals could change at any time without prior student notification.
Everything with the ABSN curriculum flows really well. You learn a skill online, apply it in lab, and then go to clinical to see how that skill plays out in real life. -Erin, a 2018 ABSN program graduate.
However Please Note That Although An Adn And Bsn Nursing Degree Both Allow You To Work As A Registered Nurse There Are Some Differences
Learn how to become an rn and become a difference maker in healthcare. Often called a second degree nursing program, an absn will enable you to get licensed as a registered nurse and start working in the healthcare field quickly. However, in many places, the salary ceiling is lower than. The first step involves earning an undergraduate nursing degree. Your other option, if you don t mind taking a few extra years to become an rn, would be to do the msn as entry to practice. The first step to becoming a registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree starts with a call to our admissions counselors to discuss your academic experience and future career aspirations. Earning an associate degree or bachelor’s degree in nursing is the biggest step towards becoming an rn. If you are looking to become an rn but do not have the required education , you have a few options. Augustine for health sciences, require an undergraduate degree in nursing rather than in a related field such as public health. Becoming a nurse with a bachelor’s in another discipline: His career in sales and coaching meant weekly trips away from home and constant fretting over sales figures and earnings. The program takes two years to. Aspiring registered nurses have to obtain an associate of science in nursing or a bachelor of science in nursing .
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What Is An Accelerated Bsn
Changing careers doesnt have to mean abandoning all the work youve already done. Accelerated degree programs can use some of the college credits you earned for your previous degree to reduce the time it takes to complete a nursing degree. General requirement classes like English, history, and electives that dont directly apply to your goals are skipped. This means you spend your class time concentrating on developing the skills needed to be a successful RN.
More than skipping repetitive general requirements, accelerated learning programs are highly customizable. Many courses are self-paced. Students can work as quickly as they like to complete their program earlier. Those who need extra time on some subjects can feel free to ensure they reach a satisfactory level of comprehension.
A combination of online learning and in-class participation give learners the ability to study around work schedules and other important obligations. This format makes these programs ideal for working adults.
There are some minimum requirements for BSN program applicants.
- Your existing bachelor’s degree must be from an accredited school.
- Your degree GPA must be at least 2.5.
- The cumulative GPA of your science classes must be at least 2.75.
Other documentation and testing are required to complete a nursing program application. However, if your previous educational experience does not meet these minimums, you may need to take additional classes before applying to a BSN program.