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If you’re a college graduate but would like to change careers, nursing offers several options for you. Whether you want to build on the educational foundation you have already achieved or start from scratch, you may want to consider nursing as a second career.
Today’s nursing students have a variety of options. If you prefer to work full time and go to college part time, there are programs available to you. If you enjoy the convenience of online college, you may take nursing classes around your busy schedule. For the adult learner who already has a college degree, nursing is a viable career option.
Here are 3 reasons why you should consider nursing as a second career:
1. There are accelerated post-baccalaureate nursing programs available for adult learners. As long as you’ve completed the required coursework, you may be able to enter an accelerated program and complete your nursing course requirements in 12-16 months, depending on the program.
There are several prerequisites to enter a post-baccalaureate nursing program. Many programs require courses in English, developmental psychology, general chemistry, nutrition, statistics, microbiology, and anatomy and physiology. Keep in mind that program requirements may vary, depending on program requirements.
It’s also important to note that some degree programs will not accept credit that was earned more than 10 years prior to program admission, so do your homework before you decide on a nursing program.
2. Nursing students have a variety of financial aid opportunities. As a nursing student, you may qualify for a variety of federal or state grants. Nursing scholarships are also available for qualified applicants.
Don’t be dissuaded from applying for a nursing scholarship because you think you have to be a straight “A” student to receive them. You may be surprised to learn that many scholarships are available to you for reasons other than your grade point average. Here are just a few of the types of nursing scholarship qualifiers available:
• Religion
• Minority Status
• Specialty-Specific Scholarships (e.g. long term care, operating room, oncology, etc.)
• Air Force and Navy
• State Scholarships
• College Scholarships
Contact your college’s financial aid department for more information about funding options for your college education.
3. Because of the nationwide nursing shortage, there are numerous employment opportunities. As the baby boomers continue to get older, the need for qualified nurses will continue to increase. Because of the current shortage and the growing need for healthcare providers, there are immediate openings for nurses across the United States.
For registered nurses, the average income in 2007 was more than $62,000 annually. With overtime added into their base salaries, many nurses earned more than $100,000. As the shortage intensifies, efforts to retain and hire nursing staff will be top priority in many medical facilities. This growing shortage is bad news for understaffed hospitals but good news for nursing graduates who are looking for work.
Once you graduate from your nursing program, you may qualify for local jobs or choose to relocate with the assistance of a nursing recruiter. Regardless of the path you choose to take, pursuing nursing as a second career will yield opportunities for a long-term success.
