Why are second degree nursing programs so competitive? And what is your advantage if you go this route into the nursing profession?
More than a just a constant need for qualified nurses, there is in fact a shortage of skilled, competent and dedicated professionals. The good ones who have been on the job for many years are about ready to retire. The population is aging so more people are expected to require health care. Science and technology are advancing making it possible to treat diseases and find solutions to a myriad of medical problems.
So prospects will certainly not be lacking, and will actually be growing for highly skilled and competent nursing professionals. Even with over 2 million nurses already employed around the country, there will still be many positions available for new nurses, especially those who can demonstrate their commitment and dedication by completing second degree nursing programs.
Why should I consider Second Degree Nursing Programs?
You already hold a non-nursing bachelors degree. You’re probably employed and using all that you learned in four years of study. But now you have a strong desire to be part of the health care system and help people through nursing.
The desire to become a nurse at this point should be strong. Unlike traditional accredited nursing programs if you’re going with a second degree nursing program, most of them are offered as accelerated training and will be so intensive and comprehensive, it will be your entire life for the next 12 to 18 months. Yes, there are many considerations before finally deciding to shake up your life and work towards another degree.
1. Opportunities for professional advancement
As a nurse, you won’t have to get stuck in a hospital or clinic providing bedside care. Clinical nursing is the first step, yet there are already many avenues to pursue when you’re there, through specialization. But there are more options for a nurse to grow as a professional like become an administrator, take on leadership roles, do research, become an educator or lend your expertise to other fields (forensic nursing).
Going through a compressed training will open your eyes to the many possibilities available if you stick it out and grow as an individual and professional.
2. Competitive salaries
While there may be nurses who complain they aren’t paid enough for the time and effort they put into the job, that’s just a minority. In general, registered nurses are paid well, even those who started out with only an associate degree. You always have to take into account factors that affect salaries, including your location, work setting, education and specializations and most importantly, experience.
With a second degree in nursing, you are not just considered for the skills and knowledge you bring to the workplace, but your exposure to other fields as a result of your previous degree and experience. That’s why completing second degree nursing programs gives you a distinct advantage because you’ve already demonstrated a maturity and deep sense of professionalism and commitment by training yourself in another field.
3. Employment stability
Recession or not, nurses will be in demand. People get sick. They need medical attention. And healthcare facilities need people to tend to their patients. Sometimes, it doesn’t matter if you work in a big hospital or a small-town clinic because your expertise will still be invaluable either way.
The trick is to never stop learning and improving yourself. If you find you are more interested in one aspect of nursing, study, train and develop your skills further. It’s a noble profession. Sometimes, after a long and tough day, nurses feel like it’s a thankless job but the truth is, knowing you’ve done something to make a person feel better or recover from a disease is reward enough. And by doing an exceptional job, you guarantee yourself employment.
How do I get Accepted?
Competition is tough to get into nursing schools offering second degree programs. Most of them are accelerated and the requirements for admission can be daunting. But if you’re very serious about becoming a nurse, remember three things:
- Most programs demand a minimum 3.0 GPA from your undergraduate degree.
- You will be required to complete pre-requisite courses, mostly sciences (anatomy and physiology, chemistry, microbiology, statistics, psychology) and have an average of at least 2.75 per subject.
- Slots are limited in second degree nursing programs because of the intensive and comprehensive nature of the curriculum. So you will be made to go through the eye of the needle in most cases to prove you are worthy of admission ahead of others.
You are supposedly more mature, motivated and have higher academic expectations and this makes you the ideal candidate for a second degree in nursing.
Can I take Second Degree Nursing Programs Online?
Not many schools offer second degree nursing programs online primarily because of the comprehensive and intensive nature of the curriculum. Distance education, which includes online programs, was basically developed to offer students convenience and flexibility in terms of when to study and how long to complete the program. However, a second degree BSN program usually falls under accelerated training and students are advised to commit to it full time to complete the program within the compressed time frame.
One school that offers an online second degree nurse program is Texas Tech University through its Health Science Center. It is a 12 month program overseen by a preceptor and nurse-educator within the community to satisfy the clinical portion of the program. Likewise, admission requirements include completion of either a nursing assistant or nurse aide training to ensure students are familiar basic patient care skills.
What do the Texas and Michigan Nursing Schools offer?
There are several schools offering second degree nursing programs in 39 states. Most range in length of 12 to 18 months.
In the Texas area, the University of Texas (UT) School of Nursing at Houston has its accelerated program that can be completed in 15 months. The University of Houston-Victoria also has a 12-month accelerated BSN program. Other UT campuses (Arlington, Health Science Center in Houston, etc) also offer second degree nursing programs in Texas.
Second degree nursing programs in Michigan include Eastern Michigan University’s School of Nursing (16 months), the Grand Valley State University (12 months), Michigan State University’s College of Nursing (14 months) and the University of Detroit Mercy’s McAuley School of Nursing also with a 12 month second degree accelerated nursing program.
If you’re a highly motivated professional wanting to make a difference in the field of health care, second degree nursing programs are suited for you.