Nursing as a second career is possible with an accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing program. Making a career change to nursing starts with enrolling in a program that supports your goals. You’ll need to know what to expect from the program and be prepared to commit to it.
Transitioning to a new job that suits you better than your current one is entirely possible. You don’t have to stay stuck in a career that doesn’t satisfy you. It’s even possible to switch to an entirely different field.
If you’re interested in pursuing a healthcare-related job, consider nursing as a second career. Registered nurses (RNs) have strong earning potential and an enviable job growth rate. Plus, they can choose from a wide assortment of nursing specialties and work settings.
The University of Mount Saint Vincent’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is designed specifically for those interested in making a career change to nursing. Our ABSN program could be a good fit for you if you have a completed bachelor’s degree in any field other than nursing.
Before starting the process of becoming a nurse with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you should take a closer look at the steps involved and research what to expect when you join the nursing field.
Steps to Transition to Nursing from Another Career
The first step in making a career change to nursing is to find the right nursing program. The accelerated nursing curriculum at Mount Saint Vincent is popular with our second-career students because it provides personalized advising both within and beyond the classroom, beginning your first day in the program.
Navigate the Admission Process
The admission process starts with speaking to an admission counselor. Your dedicated admission counselor will explain exactly what you must do to be admitted to our program and answer any questions you may have.
Your admission counselor will also seek to discover what motivates you to pursue nursing as a second career. Nursing requires you to care for everyone, acting as a patient advocate for diverse populations facing various obstacles. Because of this, the Mount values empathy, integrity, and compassion in our nursing students.
Before applying, your admission counselor will confirm your eligibility and determine which, if any, prerequisite courses you’ll need to complete. Your counselor will also put together a personalized plan for you to follow to navigate the admission process.
Earn a Nursing Degree
It’s possible to earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in nursing in as few as 16 months at the Mount, and because of this, you should expect a rigorous and fast-paced curriculum. Our curriculum builds on your non-nursing college credits, making it the perfect choice for people who want to enter the nursing field quickly.
Our ABSN program is a three-part hybrid curriculum that includes the following:
- Nursing theory courses lay the groundwork for your education at our NYC locations in Riverdale, Long Island City, Brooklyn, and Yonkers.
- Skills and simulation labs offer hands-on learning with staff in a mock clinical setting.
- Clinical rotations at top area healthcare facilities allow you to care for patients in high-level medical settings
Wondering what to expect in nursing clinicals? Discover the common tasks you’ll perform.
Pass the NCLEX
The Mount emphasizes thorough prep for the NCLEX-RN examination, which is the national nursing licensure exam you must pass to obtain your NYS-issued nursing license. You’ll be able to take it soon after graduating with your BS in nursing.
One of the reasons why the NCLEX exam is so challenging is that it tests you on your nursing knowledge and your ability to make clinically appropriate decisions. You’ll be presented with numerous case studies in which all possible answers might be technically correct, requiring you to choose the most appropriate answer for the situation.
Once you pass the NCLEX and obtain your nursing license, you’ll be ready to apply for your first nursing job.
Overcoming Challenges in Transition to Nursing
Every nursing student faces challenges as they work toward becoming a nurse with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Fortunately, there are solutions to each of these challenges.
One common issue is balancing school with life. Since the ABSN program proceeds on an accelerated timeline, it’s likely that you’ll find yourself putting in more than 40-hour weeks.
Because of the schedule, it’s ideal to eliminate many of your non-school commitments during this time. If possible, try not to work during nursing school, and make sure you have childcare arrangements.
Don’t hesitate to ask your loved ones to help you out with various tasks or errands to free up time for studying. Lastly, remember that you can graduate in just 16 months, which means the intense schedule won’t last forever.
Adjusting to a new learning environment can also be challenging for some students, particularly for those who have been out of school for a long time and are no longer accustomed to the classroom environment.
At our ABSN program, however, you’ll find that you’re surrounded by nontraditional students just like yourself, which can make the transition easier. In addition, our nursing instructors are highly supportive and will do everything possible to facilitate your progress.
What to Expect After Becoming a Nurse
As you plan your transition to nursing, it’s helpful to examine what you can expect after obtaining your license. Nurses are in high demand now, with an expected job growth rate of 6% from 2023 through 2033. In addition, the median annual salary for RNs was $86,070 as of May 2023.
To optimize your career trajectory, take advantage of networking opportunities during your clinical rotations and maintain great relationships with your instructors, as they may be able to steer you in the right direction toward a job or even give you a recommendation.
Check out these 10 alternative nursing careers.
During your clinical rotations, you’ll have opportunities to experience several nursing specialties. These may include:
- Acute and long-term care
- Adult health
- Intensive care
- Mental and behavioral health
- Obstetrics and pediatrics
You may fall in love with one of these specialties and decide to pursue a related nursing job. Nursing specialties generally require relevant clinical experience, such as medical evacuation flight nursing. If you have a passion for a specialty that requires experience, look for a related specialty for your first nursing job and plan on pursuing a switch to your intended specialty later.
Another advantage of being a nurse is the variety of employment opportunities open to you after receiving a nursing degree. You could end up working everywhere from a school to a nursing home to a private consulting firm. There is a world of possibilities in nursing.
Start Your Second Career in Nursing
At the University of Mount Saint Vincent, our ABSN program is designed specifically for those who are interested in becoming a nurse with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
Here, it’s possible to leverage your prior non-nursing education toward earning a nursing degree in as few as 16 months. Our school offers ABSN locations throughout New York City, which means you’ll benefit from clinical placements at some of the country’s top medical facilities.
Our dedicated admission team is here to help you navigate the admission process step by step. Contact our admission team today to get started.