Full Time Vs Part Time
If you are able to dedicate yourself to your education on a full-time basis you will complete the program in the shortest period of time, but your personal responsibilities or financial situation may make that impossible.
Fortunately, studying part-time offers a solution to both of those challenges, reducing the costs and providing the flexibility to continue working, caring for your family, or attending to whatever other commitments you have.
Taking Time Between Degrees
Additionally, many find it worthwhile to take their time between each level of education that they attain so that they can spend enough time to gain experience, explore different specialty areas, and solidify your interest.
Whatever nursing school program you choose, your education will prepare you for a rewarding career that offers the ability to work as part of a team, to improve patients lives and to support yourself in a way that you can be proud of and grow in.
You Dont Need Any Healthcare Experience To Apply
Its easy to assume that prior experience working or studying in the healthcare field is needed to apply to a nursing program. While some nursing programs hold this strict requirement, you do not need to have a healthcare background to apply to our Accelerated BSN program. This is a huge benefit that sets Madonnas ABSN program apart from others.
To be eligible for our ABSN program, you must have a non-nursing bachelors degree from an accredited institution or a minimum of 60 college credits.
If you meet these qualifications, then your next step would be to contact an admissions representative. This person will work one-on-one with you to make an admissions plan unique to your needs. He or she will also figure out if your past credits and GPA meet Madonna Universitys eligibility requirements and determine the number of prerequisite courses you will need to take.
Get ahold of your academic transcripts!Before your admissions appointment, send your academic transcripts to or fax 281-1967. This gives your admissions representative a good idea of where you stand in the process and what your next step should be.
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How Can I Become A Nurse If I Already Have A Bachelor’s Degree
Why did you choose your original degree program? Did you pursue a course of study that you were passionate about? Did you follow a path that you thought would lead you to high salaries or important titles? After graduation, some degree holders realize that their original plan doesnt fulfill all of their needs. Feelings of regret can drive them to seek out new ways to apply their existing knowledge and skills.
Types Of Nursing Roles
Nursing is a diversified profession. Theres no right or wrong answer to what type of nurse to be, but knowing what responsibilities and duties that come with each can help you determine which would be best for you. If your dream is to become a registered nurse , both an Associates degree and Bachelors degree can help you get there. If you have hopes of becoming a nurse educator one day, youll likely need a little more education, including a masters or a doctorate degree.
One of the many great things about being a nurse is that there are a lot of ways to advance in your career and education. Many of these degrees build upon or transition into one another. This means the credential or degree you begin earning now doesnt have to be the one youre stuck with forever. Common nursing credentials include
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Registered Nurse
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
There are many nursing credentials that can go deep into various medical specialties and some that stand for certain education levels, but well walk through those as well. Lets start with the basics.
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Take Your Nursing Education To The Next Level
Contributing writer
A nursing career is filled with options. Although many people still think of nurses as delivering patient care in hospitals or doctors offices, this is only part of the picture. There are many paths a nurse can follow. If youve been considering changing the trajectory of your nursing career, or want to advance the path youre already on, pursuing additional education is one of the best ways to meet that goal. Taking your education to the next level can put new workplaces, advanced nursing roles, and more within your reach.
Taking your education to the next level can put new workplaces, advanced nursing roles, and more within your reach.
Plus, youll be adding to the skills and knowledge you already use every day as a nurse. In fact, if you attend a bridge-style program such as an LPN-to-BSN bridge, RN-to-BSN bridge, or RN-to-MSN bridge, your program will be designed to build on everything youve already learned. And an additional bonus: These programs are structured with working nurses in mind, making them a great fit for many nurses looking to advance their education.
Bridge programs are often accelerated because the curriculum depends on the knowledge base that nurses already have.
It is a personal decision that depends on personal lives and employer support, Rhoads explains, especially since some employers offer financial assistance to nurses who wish to obtain a higher degree or certifications.
Why Am I Choosing A Career In Nursing
Your decision to pursue a career in nursing is just the first step. Now, you need to get to the root of why youre doing it. Perhaps a profound personal experience has triggered you to make this change, or maybe youve just always had a calling to become a nurse. Whatever your intention may be, its important that you have a firm understanding as to why youre choosing a career in nursing. Knowing your why for nursing can help you stay focused and motivated throughout the duration of your nursing education.
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Career Options For Graduates Of A Second Degree Nursing Program
Earning your BSN as a second degree will help you achieve a career in the demanding field of nursing. Today’s employers increasingly prefer to hire nurses who hold a BSN degree. Nurses who earn a second degree in nursing often offer additional marketable skills that can equip them for future roles in nursing management, education and other areas – even medical journalism or legal consulting.
Most new BSN graduates will need to gain clinical nursing experience before specializing or moving to advanced nursing role The first step in achieving your goals is to obtain your BSN degree.
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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How Long Is Nursing School
The answer to that question depends on a number of factors including:
- What type of nurse do you want to be?
- How are you going to go earn your degree?
- Are you going to go to school full time?
- Are you going to take classes in person or online?
- Do you want to get some hands-on experience before you move on to a position with more responsibility?
Every nursing degree will prepare you to care for patients, but each does so in a different way. This guide will explain the different types of nursing degrees and how long each will take you to complete each of them.
Previous Penn State Students And Fall Penn State Graduates
If you previously attended Penn State as an undergraduate student, you must:
1. Submit an Undergraduate Re-enrollment Form to the Registrars office at the campus to which are you applying. Re-enrollment forms will be accepted from August 1 December 1.
2. Submit the Second Degree Nursing Program Application between August 1 and December 1.
3. Send official transcripts for any non-Penn State course work that was not previously submitted to Undergraduate Admissions.
4. If you are taking classes in the upcoming spring semester, email a copy of your spring schedule to the Nursing contact at your preferred location no later than the third week of December.
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How To Become A Nurse After College And A Bachelors Degree
Nurses are needed today more than ever before. If the recent outbreak of COVID-19 has taught us anything, it is the importance of health care workers. This may have inspired you to answer the call to work on the frontlines and become a healthcare hero. But if youve already earned your degree in a different field, you may be feeling a bit discouraged.
Earning a degree in any field takes time and work. If youve already completed a degree program, and that program is not nursing, you may be wondering how to become a nurse after college. Starting over is out of the question. So where do you go from here? Fear not! The journey to become a nurse is not as out-of-reach as you may think.
Youre an educated person. Perhaps you had planned on becoming a teacher and earned your education degree. You may have even worked in a classroom for a few years before realizing you were meant to help patients instead of students. A career change, or a change in path, is not out of the question. It doesnt mean you have to start a four-year degree program all over again. The truth is: There is a shortcut for aspiring nurses who have already earned their bachelors degree in a non-nursing major. It is called anAccelerated Bachelors in Nursing program.
- Professionalism
- Psychomotor skills
Are you ready to switch gears and get on the accelerated path toward becoming a nurse? Contact Goodwin University at 1-800-889-3282 or visit us onlineto learn more about our accelerated nursing degree.
Apply For Nurse Practitioner Licensure
This is the final step to getting licensed and beginning your nurse practitioner career. There are typically fees required to get licensed.
Research the nurse practitioner requirements for the state you want to work in so you can stay on track as you work toward licensure. Once you have your nurse practitioner license, its important to meet renewal requirements to stay active.
Information on this page was retrieved in August 2020.
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The Path To Nursing For Psychology Majors
Consider one of the following online programs currently taking applications now:
Psychology majors in search of job security and flexibility that will make good use of their knowledge and caring might consider pursuing a career in nursing. There are a few different paths that can lead to the initials RN after your name. The best path for you depends most on what kind of education you’ve already completed and what programs are available in your area.
Consider an Online Program Currently Accepting Applicants
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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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Is This Program For You
The Second Degree Option is for you if you hope to begin a career in nursing and have already earned a bachelors degree in another field. This intensive pre-licensure program is offered in a cohort format and requires sixteen months to complete. Students take 1417 credits per semester for a total of 60 credits.
At the completion of their course work, graduates will be able to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses and begin new careers in professional nursing.
Never Attended Penn State
An advanced standing applicant or transfer applicant is one who never attended Penn State as an undergraduate degree-seeking student. Between August 1 and December 1, transfer applicants must:
Undergraduate Admissions will calculate your cumulative GPA based on all undergraduate course work from all postsecondary institutions.
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Tips For How To Become A Registered Nurse With A Bachelors Degree
We all know someone whos been stuck at the same job for years, even though their hearts not in it. Going to work when youre not excited about your career can take a toll on your mental health and happiness.
After putting time and money into starting a career, it can feel scary to make a change. Thats exactly why our program supports you every step of the way.
We understand that changing careers can feel daunting. We are here to help. No matter what stage of life youre at, its never too late to start your journey toward becoming a registered nurse with a bachelors degree.
The Adn: Another Option
An associate degree may be your best local option, especially if you live in an area where theres a lower population and less educational access. You may also opt for the associates if the second bachelors program is more intensive than what youre looking for. And your local college may well offer a better deal. A 2011 article in The Community College Times reported that the average cost of tuition and fees for an ADN offered at a public two year college was just $6,120.
On the downside, some community colleges do have a significant wait list for their programs. Others have a more selective process, and offer spots sooner.
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How Long For Bachelor Of Science In Nursing
A novice RN can receive a BSN in four years at a college or university. If you already have an RN, you can enroll in the RN-to-BSN bridge program, which is designed specifically for RNs who have a degree. This path usually takes about two to three years.
If you are already a licensed practicing nurse, the LPN-to-RN program will give you a bachelors degree or a bachelors degree, depending on which path you choose to take. Completing any of these will allow you to pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become an RN. The LPN-ADN program takes one to two years LPN-BSN program from two to four years.
An even faster BSN option for candidates who already have a bachelors degree in another field. The BSN Accelerated Program allows students to apply for undergraduate credits from the first degree to BSN. This route takes from one to one and a half years.
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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.
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Benefits Of A Second Bachelor’s In Nursing And Accelerated Nursing Degree
Pursuing an accelerated second degree offers many advantages over a traditional nursing program. You can complete a second bachelor’s degree in nursing in 16 months, rather than 4 years, which means you can enter the workforce much more quickly.
Another key benefit of getting your accelerated nursing degree as a second degree BSN is that students who do so are viewed as more determined and driven. You can demonstrate to employers that you thrive in a fast-paced environment. In addition, your first degree provides evidence of experience in other fields, adding to your applicable skills.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Nurse If You Already Have A Bachelors
People who have earned a bachelors degree in another area of study are eligible to apply to accelerated BSN programs. This type of program can be completed in 11 to 18 months. Accelerated BSN students will often skip the general education classes for their program to be brought up to speed by focusing on nursing-specific courses.
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