It's Not Too Late To Change Careers! Get Your Nursing Degree In Just One Year
It might be difficult to change gears mid-career, but if you plan to shift to nursing, the process shouldn't be too tough. In fact, you can even get your nursing degree in as short as one year. Read on to know how you may be able to do this.
Nursing is said to be one of the top five professions for those who want to change careers. That's according to a New York Times article,
and there's enough evidence to support that.
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.
And don't be discouraged even if the bachelor's degree you hold is one in a totally unrelated field. Because of the demand, there an now accelerated programs for a second bachelor's degree.
These type of programs can be completed within a year -- from one summer to the next. Other programs are a bit more lengthy, but still only 18 months long. Of course, if you decide to go through this kind of program, you'll have to be ready for a year of intense studying and training. All other activities will have to be set aside including work.
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 They also found that in 2006, there were 8,493 students enrolled in these programs nationwide - up from 2,422 students in 2004. So clearly the popularity of these programs is skyrocketing in response to the great 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.
