How Long Does It Take
It can take anywhere from 16-36 months for you to earn a degree in nursing, depending on the track you choose, college coursework youve already completed, and the pace at which you choose to complete classes.
- If you already have a bachelors degree in another field, you may be eligible to complete our Accelerated BSN Option in as few as 20 months. However, 20 months is an aggressive pace, and most students complete this program in about 24 months.
- Current LPNs/LVNs, paramedics, Respiratory Therapists and Cardiovascular Technicians may be eligible to enroll in a bridge-style program designed to decrease the time needed to earn an ASNusually 16-18 months.
- You may also be eligible for our online Direct Entry MSN program, in which you can alternatively earn a masters degree in as few as 20 months.
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Your Second Degree Nursing Options
If youre like many people in the U.S., you probably went to college directly after graduating from high school. That means that you were pretty young when you chose a career path, and you may have been laboring with the suspicion that you didnt select the right one for a few years now. Perhaps youre wondering if a career in health-care is for you. Anyone who is interested in becoming a nurse and has already earned a bachelors degree in another discipline might be interested in getting a second undergraduate degree.
The good news is that it likely wont mean having to spend another four years in full-time study. For one thing, most students who are seeking a second bachelors degree in nursing are more focused and dedicated than their younger colleagues. Moreover, people who are earning a second bachelors degree dont have to complete all of the general education courses that were required while they worked toward their first degree. Most nursing programs simply review the students transcript to give them credit for all of the work they have already completed.
Your Options
Still, other students may be interested in a direct entry Masters in Nursing degree. These programs are available to people who have already earned a bachelors degree in another discipline. An academically competitive program like this may appeal to someone who wants to maximize their options for advancement in the nursing field.
How To Become A Nurse With A Biology Degree In 7 Steps
How to become a nurse with a biology degree consists of a 7-step process. The first step is finding a nursing school. Then determine program eligibility, finish prerequisites, apply and start nursing school. After graduating from nursing school, youll take the NCLEX, get licensed and begin working as a nurse.
There are many career paths you can take with a bachelors in biology. The catch, though, is that most high-paying biology-based careers require a masters degree or higher. You might not have realized it when you were in school, but a Bachelor of Science in Biology degree makes you a prime candidate to become a nurse.
Can you become a nurse with a biology degree? Yes, you can. The process of how to become a nurse with a biology degree consists of seven steps. Through an accelerated nursing program, switching from biology to nursing becomes streamlined.
You can use your degree to become a nurse and enter the nursing profession in as few as 16 months. By becoming a nurse, youll be able to leverage your previous science education to make a difference in peoples lives.
Now lets get into the details of the seven steps you can take to become a nurse with a biology degree.
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Ask A Nurse: How Can I Become A Nurse As A Second
In our Ask a Nurse series, experienced nurses provide an insider look at the nursing profession by answering your questions about nursing careers, degrees, and resources.
Question: I already have a non-nursing bachelors degree. How can I become a nurse as a second-degree student?
Choosing a career direction straight out of high school can be challenging and doesnt always lead to the career you imagined. If youd like to become a nurse and have a bachelors degree in a non-nursing field, you have options.
A second-degree nursing student candidate has four options to become a registered nurse , including:
- Associate degree in nursing
- Bachelor of science in nursing
- Accelerated BSN
- Direct-entry master of science in nursing
While these are options, they may not all be available in your local area. However, with an increasing number of schools and nursing programs offering online education, you are likely to find an educational opportunity that meets your needs.
Since you already have two years of general prerequisites under your belt, getting your second bachelors degree should be quicker than getting your first degree. The prerequisite classes you took in your non-nursing bachelors degree can transfer toward your nursing degree.
All nursing programs, however, will require you to complete the mandatory clinical hours to meet accreditation for the nursing program.
Is A Math Degree A Ba Or Bs
A Bachelors degree in Mathematics is an undergraduate degree that provides theory and training in both applied and core mathematics. A BS in Mathematics provides broad knowledge of mathematics topics with depth in certain areas, while a BA in Mathematics provides a solid mathematics core within a flexible curriculum.
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Not Ready To Become An Md Other Career Advancement Options For Nurses
For nurses, there is a plethora of advanced medical degrees that do not require a four-year medical degree and a lengthy postgraduate residency and fellowship. The most common are Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and Nurse Practitioner .
CRNA programs are typically three years and require a doctorate, while NP programs can be completed in two years if done full time. Furthermore, registered nurses are still able to work while attending these programs, whereas they cannot work while in medical school. Additionally, because NP and CRNA programs are seen as career advancements by hospitals, tuition reimbursement may be an option. Medical school would not qualify.
Becoming a MD does have its advantages and it is understandable why some nurses want to further their career in this way. The best advice for anyone considering this path is to have a frank, open conversation with others in the medical field and determine if the length of school, associated financial responsibilities, and change in lifestyle will ultimately be worth it.
How To Become A Nurse Without Majoring In Nursing In 6 Steps
The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts equipped with Indeed’s data and insights to deliver useful tips to help guide your career journey.
Nurses play a critical role in our society, providing essential care to individuals suffering from all kinds of ailments. They’re often the medical professionals who engage most directly and often with patients, providing them with necessary health care and bedside support. If you’re interested in becoming a nurse but didn’t major in the subject during your undergraduate career, it’s important to learn your options for entering the nursing field including academic, experience and skill-based requirements.
In this article, we define what a nurse does, discuss the skills they use to succeed in their work, describe the education requirements for nurses, list steps for becoming a nurse without majoring in nursing along with salary and job outlook information for the career.
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Why Is Accreditation Important
When choosing a nursing school, a lot of factors come into play. Cost, proximity to home, work, etc. all play an important role in the final decision. But not many students look at the accreditation when choosing a nursing school. Its imperative for prospective nursing students to consider accreditation when choosing an entry-level nursing program. Most employers prefer to hire students who have graduated from accredited programs as they are trained under nationally recognized standards for nursing education.
Therefore, selecting an accredited college or university gives you a competitive edge in the job market. Students from accredited nursing school programs are also better qualified to attend other accredited schools and advance their studies. For instance, youll have an easier time finding a reputable MSN program with a BSN from an accredited nursing school. Nursing school accreditation also gives the students an opportunity to participate in federally funded and state entitled programs.
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Complete Nursing Coursework And Clinicals
After youve been accepted into nursing school, it may seem like all of the hard work is behind you. But the next stretch of your life will be spent building and strengthening the foundational knowledge and skills required of successful nurses. You can expect to encounter coursework relating to chemistry, biology, anatomy, nutrition and more.
You will also be expected to complete a series of nursing clinicals to help gain hands-on experience and witness what its really like to work as an RN. Clinicals provide students with an opportunity to apply what theyve learned in a real-life healthcare setting, serving as a critical capstone to your education as you learn how to gain your footing in the world of nursing.
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S To Become A Registered Nurse
After youve decided that you would like to pursue a career in nursing, the steps to becoming a registered nurse are fairly straightforward. First, you must earn the appropriate degree. Then, you must pass the NCLEX Exam. And finally, you must obtain a license in the state that you wish to practice in.
Below, we explore each of these steps in more detail.
Continue Your Nursing Education Journey
As a nurse, your education never really stops. You’ll be required to keep up with your Continuing Education Units each year. Additionally, for nurses, salary is closely linked to your level of education. So, if you want to earn more down the road, you may want to go back to school for your BSN, MSN, DNP or more.
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Choose A Nursing Program
Now that youre confident in your decision to become a nurse, the next step of becoming a nurse with a non-nursing bachelors degree is to choose the right program and submit your application. There is no shortage of accelerated nursing programs in the United States. Finding the right nursing school can set your career on the right track and help you achieve your goals.
So, what are some of the factors to consider when choosing a nursing program? Well discuss what you should look for to find the school thats right for you.
Study Toward Your Msn Degree
If you have been accepted into a nursing program, now is when the real work toward applying your biology degree to nursing begins. With class starts in January, May and August, Marquettes Direct Entry MSN program in Wisconsin condenses your nursing education into an accelerated 19- to 21- month timeframe by leveraging your previous biology degree.
The program is challenging and fast-paced. Students who excel in the Direct Entry MSN program are devoted, self-motivated and hungry to learn. They know how to handle their stress and arent afraid to ask questions and work collaboratively with fellow classmates. The program, centered around our program site locations, will be administered with a three-pronged approach combining coursework, labs and clinical rotations.
See what you have to gain by earning your masters in nursing from Marquette.
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Become A Lifelong Learner
With new technologies and treatments, the healthcare industry is constantly evolving. Working on the front lines of healthcare requires nurses to stay informed and educated so they can remain effective as their responsibilities change. Nurses who pursue their careers from the perspective of lifelong learners can take advantage of new opportunities and roles as they arise.
- Takecontinuing education courses: Nurses are required to complete continuing education courses, usually every two years. Check with your state nursing board for requirements.
- Get certified: If you decide to specialize in a certain area of nursing, consider earning professional certification. This cements your commitment to the field and demonstrates your skill set to employers.
- Earn an advanced degree: Earning a masters degree may qualify you for a career as a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse midwife, and certified nurse anesthetist.
Enroll In An Accelerated Bsn Program
The first step when trying to become a nurse without a major in nursing is to enroll in an accelerated BSN program. It’s a requirement that all registered nurses have either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing, but if you already have a bachelor’s degree, you don’t need to worry about duplicating your college education. Many schools now offer accelerated programs with non-nursing majors in mind, where they can take all of the required courses, labs and earn clinical hours within a short period. Accelerated BSN programs can last anywhere from 12 to 18 months depending on the school.
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How Much Do Lpns Rns And Nps Typically Earn
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for each of the three levels of nursing are as follows :
- NPs: $115,800 per year
- RNs: $73,300 per year
- LPNs: $47,800 per year
According to Glassdoor, an online resource that tracks jobs, company reviews and employment statistics nationally, the average RN in Oregon can expect to make $65,870 per year, compared to $41,917 for LPNs and $115,674 for NPs .
Bachelors 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 â like 4-year BSN programs â allow the graduate to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam at the end of their program.
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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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Levels Of Nursing Degrees
Trained nurses can pursue various levels of education depending on their short and long-term career goals. The field of nursing is broad and encompasses everything from assisting physicians with basic duties to serving on the executive boards at major hospital systems. Depending on your future professional goals, you may need to pursue different levels of nursing degrees at certain points in your career.
Whether you advance through each level progressively or choose a rigorous long-term program from the start, its important to research your choices and become familiar with different institutions. Below, well take a closer look at each level of nursing degree and what it might mean for your educational future.
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