If you’re wondering how to become a nurse with a biology degree, you’ll be pleased to know you don’t have to go back to school for four more years. Instead, you can enroll in an accelerated nursing program, earn a BS in nursing, and qualify for the licensure exam.
If you would like to turn your biology degree into a career that allows you to make an immediate, meaningful impact, then becoming a nurse might be right for you. Learn how to become a nurse with a biology degree with this complete guide. Steps include finding the right nursing program, meeting enrollment requirements, earning a degree, and passing the NCLEX-RN exam.
Because you have already completed a bachelor’s degree, delaying your career for another four years to earn a second degree is not ideal. Fortunately, an accelerated nursing program can set you on the path toward nursing much faster than a traditional four-year program.
At the University of Mount Saint Vincent, you can earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in nursing in as few as 16 months through the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program. By leveraging your biology degree, you can apply this experience towards a BS in nursing and enter the nursing workforce sooner than you think.
Why Biology Majors Make Excellent Nurses
Transitioning from a biology degree to nursing is a natural career pivot. Becoming a nurse allows you to leverage your interest in biology to help others in need. Your biology degree also gives you an advantage in nursing school and your future career.
With a biology degree, you already have a solid understanding of core principles in biology, such as microbiology, physiology, and biochemistry. You will also enter the program with lab experience, an understanding of the scientific method, and be well-prepared to discuss scientific concepts and exercise critical thinking.
Why should you earn a BS in nursing degree? Explore seven reasons why a BS in nursing is worth it.
The 7-Step Process: How to Become a Nurse with a Biology Degree
You’ll find that there are a few ways to become a nurse. You can earn an associate degree in nursing or a BS in nursing. While an associate degree program is typically only two years, many nurses choose a four-year BS in nursing program because of evidence indicating that a baccalaureate education better prepares nurses to work in a wide variety of clinical environments.
None of these options allows you to apply your previous college experience toward your new degree, however. This is why many second-degree seekers choose an accelerated BS in nursing program.
Through an ABSN program, you can leverage your biology degree and apply the experience and credits to a BS in nursing. Consider the steps below as you transition from a biology degree to nursing with an ABSN program.
1. Find the Right Nursing Program
Enrolling in another four-year undergraduate program is unnecessary to earn a BS in nursing. Instead, an accelerated nursing program will build on your academic foundation and enable you to earn a BS in nursing much faster.
When looking for the right nursing program, consider the following:
- Nursing School Accreditations: An accredited nursing program ensures the curriculum meets academic and professional standards.
- Location: You should pick a program somewhere convenient to you, as you cannot complete a nursing curriculum entirely online.
- Clinical Partnerships: Consider the variety and quality of the program’s clinical partnerships, such as the nursing specialties and facilities.
2. Reach out to an Admission Counselor
Once you have found a nursing program, contact the admission team to start the admission process. At Mount Saint Vincent, once you fill out the contact form, you will be assigned a dedicated admission counselor who will walk you through each step and help keep you on track.
3. Meet the Admission Requirements
During the first phone call, you and your counselor will discuss why you want to become a nurse and review your educational history to make sure the program is right for you. They will then help create a plan so you can meet the admission requirements in time for your target start date.
The admission requirements include:
- A prior bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 from an approved institution
- Official transcripts and a completed application
- Consent for a criminal background check
- Immunizations
- Proof of First Aid Certification and CPR Certification
4. Complete Any Lingering Nursing Prerequisites
As you consider how to become a nurse with a biology degree, it’s important to factor in the time needed to complete prerequisite courses. Nursing prerequisites ensure that all students entering the ABSN program have the foundation in math, science, and general education required for advanced nursing and science courses.
This is where your biology degree can give you an advantage over other students. You might have already completed these courses in your previous degree.
Your admission counselor will review your transcripts and identify which credits are transferable. While you might still need to complete a few prerequisites, you will likely have fewer to complete than students with a different degree.
In Mount Saint Vincent’s ABSN program, you must complete the following nursing prerequisites with a grade B or higher:
- Anatomy and Physiology I and II
- General Chemistry
- Microbiology
- Psychology Across the Lifespan
The following prerequisites must be completed with a grade C or higher:
- English language at the college level (college writing course)
- Mathematics at the college level (statistics or calculus)
5. Submit Your Application
Once you have satisfied all admission requirements, including completing prerequisite courses, you can move on to the final step of the admission process: submitting your application.
When applying to the ABSN at Mount Saint Vincent, your admission counselor will help ensure you include all admission materials, including official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and proof of CPR and First Aid certification.
6. Graduate from Nursing School
Once enrolled, the next step in becoming a nurse with a bachelor’s degree is to earn a BS in nursing. The ABSN program at Mount Saint Vincent is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to confidently take the NCLEX-RN and become a practice-ready nurse.
The curriculum includes nursing coursework, hands-on nursing labs, and clinical rotations. Your coursework will cover topics including health promotion and pharmacology. This lays the groundwork needed for nursing labs.
The ABSN nursing labs include two types: skills labs and nursing simulation labs. In skills labs, you will practice core nursing skills such as medication administration and nasogastric intubation on high-tech medical manikins.
These medical manikins will also serve as patients during nursing simulation labs. In these labs, you will work as a team with fellow students to provide patient care in simulated clinical scenarios.
These manikins can be controlled by your instructors and can simulate various responses, from heart rate and breathing to allergic reactions. Each session is followed by a debriefing, where you, your classmates, and instructors will discuss successes and mistakes. This is critical to developing your clinical judgment.
Finally, all you have learned will be applied toward providing real patient care under close supervision during clinical rotations. At Mount Saint Vincent, students will complete clinicals in facilities throughout New York City, including:
- Memorial Sloan Kettering
- Mount Sinai Hospital
- NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center
Each clinical allows you to explore nursing specialties, such as adult health nursing, obstetrics and pediatrics, acute and long-term care, and more.
How does an accelerated nursing program work? Read more to learn if it’s right for you.
7. Pass the NCLEX-RN
Once you graduate from nursing school, the last step to switch from a biology degree to nursing is passing the NCLEX. It’s best to begin studying for this rigorous exam shortly after you start nursing school. Although you need to understand nursing concepts to take this exam, the NCLEX tests candidates more on their ability to assess clinical situations and form appropriate responses.
Before your exam date, you should review the official NCLEX Candidate Rules and understand what to expect. It’s important to follow the rules and procedures precisely to avoid disqualification. You can retake the exam if you don’t pass it the first time, but it’s ideal to pass it the first time. After passing the exam and obtaining state licensure, you’ll be ready to work as a nurse.
Career Opportunities After Biology Degree to Nursing Transition
Now that you understand how to become a nurse with a biology degree, what’s next? There are many benefits and career opportunities to earning a BS in nursing and becoming a nurse.
After graduating and obtaining a nursing license, you are ready to enter a workforce that’s in high demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurse employment is projected to grow 6% by 2033.
You will also be joining a career with high earning potential. The national median salary for registered nurses is $93,600, and even higher in New York City at $113,490.
With a BS in nursing from Mount Saint Vincent, you are prepared to excel in various nursing specialties. Nursing is a diverse field with many opportunities to specialize in the fields you find the most interesting and fulfilling. Possible specialties you can pursue include:
- Critical care nursing
- Emergency room nursing
- Home health nursing
- Neonatal nursing
- Obstetrics
- Oncology
- Pediatric nursing
You could also advance your career and become a nurse manager or charge nurse or earn a graduate degree to become an advanced practice registered nurse.
Switch From Biology to Nursing at the Mount
Regardless of where your career takes you, the education you receive in Mount Saint Vincent’s ABSN program prepares you to meet any challenge. Our admission counselors are experienced in guiding students in transitioning from a biology degree to nursing and can help you reach your goals.
Contact an admission counselor today and take the first step toward a rewarding nursing career.