According to a New York Times article, nursing is one of the top five professions for those who want to change careers.
And why not? For one thing, nursing is a career with high demand. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports that there is currently a significant shortage of nursing staff and this situation is expected to continue for the next two decades. This, despite the unstable economy which has caused massive layoffs in other industries.
Registered nurses are also paid well, and they have a variety of specific areas to choose from — whether in a hospital, clinic, nursing school, and others. This sounds better than many boring desk jobs. The good news, if you already have a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field, is that there are now many programs which offer an accelerated second bachelor’s degree option.
These programs can be completed in as little as one year, with a semester in the summer, spring, fall, and following summer. Some programs are 18 months long. Yes, that is a very intense program, and you will have to put everything else aside for that year. No work, and a very understanding family, are a requirement for success in a program like that.
You know however that by the end of those long 12 or 18 months, your efforts will be rewarded because by then you will have earned your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. This career will provide opportunities for you to work in hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, schools and even research facilities.
Nowadays it isn’t uncommon for an individual to obtain a second bachelor’s degree through accelerated programs. Statistics reported in a May 2007 article on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing website show that these types of courses can already be taken in 43 states, in the District of Columbia and Guam, and what’s more, 37 more similar programs (at that time) are being readied The article also stated that from 2,422 in 2004, in 2006 there were already 8,493 students enrolled in these programs across the country. The more than 300% jump in the enrollment is a clear indication of the demand for registered nurses nationwide.
The web article also goes on to differentiate the second bachelor’s degree students from those first time students. The career changers were found to be more focused and motivated on their goals. If you have these traits and are considering nursing as a second career, contact your State Board of Nursing to find the accredited programs in your area.
