Undergraduate Vs Graduate Degrees In Biology
The next question to consider is how far you should take your education. Not all degrees are available at all levels of study. For example, epidemiology degrees are only available as graduate degrees, as are veterinary degrees. It’s common for people to choose a broad biology degree, such as general biology, for their undergrad and then specialize in a more specific topic as they advance, but this isn’t always the case.
A good question to ask yourself is where you’d like to end up. For example, if you want to be a professor of virology or a surgeon, you’ll need to get an advanced graduate degree. Alternatively, if you’d rather just work in the lab and leave all the grant-writing or patient-handling to others, you may be better off earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Increasing your level of education often leads to a higher salary, but it can also make you overqualified for some roles and limit your options. It can sometimes be tough to get a foothold with an advanced degree because the number of positions available may be relatively small. This is where networking can help set you apart from your competition.
If your network is small, consider enrolling in for-credit internship and practicum experiences while youre in school.
Based on these numbers, your chances of finding a job as a nurse are probably much greater than your chances of finding a job as a wildlife biologist.
I Need To Get Cegep Or University Level Courses Such As Functions Calculus General Biology Chemistry And Physics Where Can I Take These And How Do I Know They Are What Mcgill University Wants
Mature students need to take a minimum of three science courses including one in functions , and at least two semesters of general biology, chemistry or physics all taken within the last 5 7 years. Students with previous university studies need a minimum of four science courses: two of calculus plus two of biology, chemistry and/or physics. These courses, which are equivalent to U0 science courses at McGill or the CEGEP health sciences courses , can be taken at CEGEP or at universities that offer âfreshmanâ science courses. Note that the minimum number of courses must be completed to apply however, all the science courses listed below must be completed with the exception for those who already have a degree in that one or more of the courses may be exempted if credit and exemption is awarded for courses which are part of the 103-credit B.Sc. program. This exception applies particularly to the Physiology and Pharmacology courses.
The complete list of CEGEP science courses includes:Biology â NYA, General Biology II Chemistry â NYA, NYB, Organic Chemistry I Mathematics â NYA, NYB Physics â NYA, NYB, NYC
The complete list of U0 sciences includes:Biology â BIOL 111 and 112Chemistry â CHEM 110, 120 Organic Chemistry 212Calculus â Math 139 or 140, 141Physics â PHYS 101 and 102
University course equivalencies are found in alphabetical order at
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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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Earn Specialty Certification And Np Licensure
NPs become licensed as advanced practice registered nurses . While some licensing criteria may vary by state, all states require a passing score on a national board certification examination in the applicant’s specialty area, such as critical care, family nurse practitioner, pediatrics, or women’s health. Administered by accredited certifying organizations, the rigorous exams test general advanced practice nursing competency and specialty population knowledge. Candidates can only register for exams in the areas in which they earned their degrees.
Create A Plan To Finish Prerequisites
Because an accelerated nursing curriculum focuses exclusively on nursing concepts, applicants must first take any outstanding prerequisite courses in order to enroll. One of the many advantages of becoming a nurse with a biology degree is that you likely have many or all of the nursing prerequisites completed already.
This is because students who hold previous degrees in the sciences, such as biology, are more likely to have already taken the prerequisite courses in their prior studies compared to applicants with degrees in the liberal arts. This means you may be able to start an ABSN track sooner.
If you have questions about creating a timeline for taking your prerequisites before starting the accelerated nursing track at UIW, contact an admissions counselor to help you form a plan.
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Explore Nursing Career Options
These days, if you want to enter the nursing profession, its best to start off with a BSN degree. As patient needs continue to become more complex, an increasing number of health-care employers prefer to hire nurses with a baccalaureate over an associate-level education.
Youll find a BSN degree from Loyola University Chicago prepares you to stand out with health-care employers. More specifically, our accelerated nursing track teaches you how to:
- Deliver safe, quality care across the patient life span.
- Apply clinical reasoning in patient care scenarios.
- Adapt nursing knowledge to different areas of practice.
- Follow ethical standards for professional nursing practice.
- Collaborate with others in interdisciplinary patient care.
With a bachelors degree in nursing, youll be able to practice the profession in settings that range from hospitals to schools to nursing homes. You may even decide to specialize in a specific area of patient care, with plenty of options available with the strong foundation of nursing provided through Loyolas ABSN track.
Discover some of the many non-bedside nursing careers you can specialize in with a BSN degree from Loyola.
Tips Of How To Study For Biology In Nursing School
Studying for biology exams can help nursing students prepare for their future nursing positions. Here are a few tips that can help nursing student meet success in their courses.
- Break down the vocabulary so that it is easy to understand. Nursing students should study medical prefixes and suffixes to help them identify the meanings of words.
- Build on concepts. It is important to understand prior biology concepts before studying new ones. Nursing students should build until they have a strong foundation in biology.
- Utilize lab information. Nursing students should study all of the notes that they learn in their labs and apply this information while studying.
- Conduct online research. Students should search the web for additional information that can make learning biology much easier. has many great study guides for this class.
Nursing courses can be a challenge, but they are well worth the hard work. Biology courses help nursing students make sense of the biological concepts that comprise the nursing profession. Learning biology takes nursing students one step closer to helping patients gain their independence.
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Is Biology A Hard Major
Biology is certainly a hard major but not quite as difficult as other STEM majors such as physics or chemistry. Most students find a biology degree difficult to pursue because it has an extensive syllabus, lots of lab work, several challenging concepts, unfamiliar vocabulary, and lots of things to memorize.
Is Bs Biology A Good Pre Med Course
Is biology a good major for pre-med? Yes, biology is a great major for pre-med. Biology is the study of life and all living organisms. By looking into the chemical makeup of humans, animals, plants and all environments, biology majors will be prepared for a graduate degree or career in medicine.
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Can I Study Medicine With A Biology Degree
Broadly speaking most Medical Schools require Chemistry and Biology at A-Level. Some Medical Schools like Birmingham and Aberdeen allow you to swap Biology for Human Biology. If you want to have the broadest choice of Med Schools its a good idea to take A-Level Physics alongside Biology and Chemistry.
How To Become A Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who have completed a Masterâs of Science in Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice program .
To advance to a masterâs degree or doctoral in nursing, a student must complete an accredited nursing program and obtain a Bachelorâs of Science in Nursing . Upon graduating with a nursing degree, successful completion of the NCLEX-RN is needed for licensure. The length of time it takes to obtain an MSN depends on the nurseâs starting point:
- Nursing students enrolled in a BSN program complete in about four years
- RN to BSN takes about two years
- BSN to MSN takes about two years
- BSN to DNP takes three to four years
- MSN to DNP takes one to two years
Additionally, both online programs and classroom programs are available to accommodate students. Both types have pros and cons depending on studentsâ needs, therefore researching individual schools is encouraged.
Research nurse practitioner programs.
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How To Pass Introduction To Biology In Nursing School
Nursing students are often required in college to take biology as a prerequisite before entering nursing school. This nursing class will help the student nurse understand about human & animal life and how the body works in a complex way. Biology is the foundation for life. This branch of science is responsible for helping nurses understand life so that it can be maintained. Biology contributes to the existence of humankind in numerous ways.
Nurses must learn to make the connection between biology to understand disease so that they can learn to protect the lives of their patients. Biology is a complex subject to understand but it is imperative to becoming a successful nurse. Understanding how life begins and ends is very instrumental in helping nurses determine treatment options that can help patients maintain their dignity and independence.
Make Sure You Meet The Admissions Requirements
You dont need prior health care experience to enroll in the ABSN program at Averett University, but you do need to meet the following requirements before you can begin the admissions process.
To be eligible for admission to the Averett ABSN program, applicants must have a non-nursing bachelors degree OR at least 60 non-nursing credits from a regionally accredited higher education institution with a minimum cumulative 2.8 GPA.
Prospective students must also:
- Complete all prerequisites.*
- Pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills V exam with a score of 65 percent or higher .
- Have passed all math and science courses with a grade of C or better.
- Have no prior nursing program dismissals .
- Complete a certified criminal background check.
*Students with prerequisite courses in progress will receive provisional admission into the program, subject to their successful completion of remaining prerequisites taken at Averett University.
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Can I Become A Nurse Practitioner With A Psychology Degree
Can I become a psychiatric nurse practitioner with a psychology degree? The short answer is yes, although youll still need a nursing degree. A background in psychology could be a valuable asset for the practice and is typically part of the required coursework for BSN, MSN degree, or DNP students.
Psychiatric nurse practitioners are qualified to diagnose and treat mental health disorders. They often work with psychiatrists on their teams. To become a psychiatric nurse practitioner, youll need to earn an RN license and then complete a masters degree program in psychiatric mental health nursing. Some programs will allow you to combine your nursing education with an advanced degree in psychology or social work.
Once graduated from your program, you can apply for certification from the National Board for Certification of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses . This requires passing an exam administered by NBCPHN, which tests your knowledge of ethics, research methods, pharmacology, and psychopharmacology.
Secure A Position As An Rn
Once youre legally allowed to practice as a registered nurse, the only thing standing in the way of entering the profession is finding a position in which you can apply your nursing skills and knowledge. With diverse opportunities for nursing positions across a range of settings, nursing doesnt only have to be restricted to an in-hospital setting.
Networking with nurses and other healthcare professionals throughout the course of your clinical rotations is one potential opportunity that could connect you with a first nursing position. However, with organizations across the country in need of degree-holding nurses, you can also venture outside the hospital setting to find a position that fits your personal goals and ambitions.
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What Exactly Is An Online Bridge Program
As discussed briefly above, an online bridge program is a unique higher education degree program created to help students advance their current education to the next level by providing the necessary information needed to connect the students knowledge from where they are to where they need to be academically. Many programs offered can be done in an accelerated amount of time and cost less than going back to a traditional college to earn the same degree.
How Nurses Use Biology
RNs use their biology knowledge to make informed decisions about patient care management daily through:
- Providing care based on a patients body composition and family medical history.
- Ensuring a patient gets the right medication for their medical status.
- Determining dosage calculations when administering medication to a patient.
- Restoring balance in patients bodies so they can regain proper health.
- Maintaining patient environments free of contamination and infection.
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Nurse Practitioner Licensure And Certification
NPs must earn and maintain two types of credentials: state licensure and national board certification. Candidates seeking board certification take an exam that tests their competency in her or his specialty area, and the certification and graduate education specialties must match. State nursing boards require national certification for NP licensure.
Can You Become A Np With A Biology Degree
Can you become a nurse practitioner with a biology major? Some NP programs accept applicants who do not hold an RN license and hold a bachelors degree in a non-nursing discipline. These learners often hold a degree in a health or science-related field and must complete relevant prerequisite coursework.
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Bachelor Of Science In Nursing Requirements
Many colleges and universities offer BSN-to-NP programs that require candidates to hold an RN license and a BSN. While admission requirements vary between institutions, applicants can expect some similarities between programs.
Prospective BSN students should provide a completed application along with their official high school transcripts. Most schools expect candidates to meet a minimum GPA requirement, usually between 2.5 and 3.0. Other admissions materials can include letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and ACT or SAT test scores.
Some programs require degree-seekers to demonstrate at least one year of prior nursing experience, although many BSN-holders go directly into an NP program without practicing as an RN first. In addition, students can often earn their degree online and complete their clinical hours at a location near their residence.
Speak With An Admissions Counselor
You need only complete our contact form to start the admissions process. As soon as you reach out, an admissions counselor will contact you. He or she will serve as your main contact throughout the entire process.
Your counselor will first schedule a call with you to discuss your eligibility for the ABSN program. During this call, youll explain your interest in the program, your prior degree in biology and your career goals, for example.
Once the admissions counselor determines that youre a good fit for the Averett ABSN program, he or she will request copies of your unofficial undergraduate transcript.
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General Biology Vs Biology Subfields
General biology degrees are quite popular because they provide the broadest base of knowledge in this diverse area of study. You can frequently find these listed as “general biology” or “biological sciences.”
General biology degrees can be good choices for people who want to keep their options open as they advance their studies. They may also be good for students interested in joining the medical field.
If your interests are strongly drawn to a specific area, however, you may want to consider specializing. Think about what types of jobs you’re interested in, and see which types of biology degrees are most popular for people who have those jobs. It may be hard to get a job as an epidemiologist with a general biology degree, for example, when most professionals have a graduate degree specifically in epidemiology.
A Biology Degree Meets Many Of The Nursing Prerequisite Coursework Requirements
Some areas of study inherently better prepare you to make the transition to nursing than others. One of the great things about a biology degree is that, chances are, you will already have taken many of the math- and science-based courses required as nursing school prerequisites. However, even if you do not meet all of the prerequisite course requirements, rest assured that you can take them.
At Mercer University, our second-degree Accelerated BSN program enrollment counselors guide students through every step of the process, from their initial inquiry to application and enrollment. He or she will review your college transcripts carefully and advise you on any courses you will need to take.
It is not just in fulfilling ABSN prerequisites, though, that a biology degree gives future nurses an advantage.
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