Many adults are entering the nursing field through accelerated nursing programs.
Nursing is a career rarely affected by changes in the economy, making it attractive to adults wanting to shift into a stable field with good pay. Many colleges offer traditional nursing degrees, but a number of schools recognize that this is a growing field for nontraditional students. Accelerated nursing programs are designed for students who have already earned a bachelor's degree in another field. These full-time programs focus specifically on nursing courses, skipping all other non-nursing elective courses.
Instructions
1. Decide what type of program you are interested in. Many schools offer accelerated programs in both a Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN). Nurses with a master's degree earn more money and often work in administration or in an advanced nursing practice.
2. Research the requirements for the school and speak to a faculty advisor. That person can help you determine whether you should take prerequisite classes before applying to the program.
3. Complete any science prerequisites that you did not have in your first bachelor's degree. Enroll as a nondegree student to complete these courses. Many of these can be completed at an inexpensive community college and transferred to the institution you plan to attend.
4. Apply to the nursing program. Submit transcripts from all of your previous colleges along with letters of recommendation and all other required materials.
5. Make arrangements to leave the workforce for a period of from one to three years while you are working on your degree. Accelerated nursing programs are intense and you should expect to be in class or involved in clinical field work full time.
Tags: nursing programs, bachelor degree, Science Nursing