Nursing is a great career choice. You get to make a difference every day by taking care of others while earning a decent wage. However, many people decide that they want to switch careers completely to nursing at some point in their lives. If you are wondering what your options are going into these middle age years, we have some suggestions for you below.
Nursing is a great career choice for many people. With a bachelor’s degree in nursing, as well as extensive education and experience, you can be guaranteed of a rewarding career that lasts a lifetime. However, if you’re thinking about making the switch to nursing at 50 years old, there are some things that you need to consider before making the change.
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Mid life career change to nursing
If you’re thinking about making a career change to nursing and want to accelerate your studies, you may be wondering how an accelerated BSN program can help.
If you’re tired of your career, how about making a change. Doing so, however, can be daunting without knowing all that you can do to make the transition easier. It’s time to consider a career change from one field to another!
You’ve worked in the same career for years and have done everything the company has asked you to do. There are some things that you love about your job, but there are also aspects that you hate. Maybe you want a more challenging career so your life will be more fulfilling and rewarding. Or maybe your financial situation has changed and you need to make a career change. Whatever the reason, if you want to change careers, it’s important that you know what options are available to you before making the decision.
Considering A Career In Nursing? Here Is How An Accelerated BSN Can Help.
In life, many people have a clear-cut idea of what they want to work as. While it’s straightforward for some, others have more difficulty deciding on a path. If you’ve already been to college, got a bachelor’s degree, but no longer have an interest in your field, it may be time to switch to something different.
For those who have a caring personality and want to make a difference, you may want to consider going into nursing. Helping those in need and providing support and care can be highly rewarding. Thanks to an accelerated BSN program, you can study to become an RN (registered nurse) in under 12 months.
To give you a better idea of what the program entails, here is how a BSN can help.
You Don’t Need Previous Nursing Experience
While you will need a bachelor’s degree in any field to qualify for an accelerated BSN program, you do not need to have any work experience, education, or knowledge in nursing specifically. This means that if you’ve had a change of heart in terms of what career you want, you can study for the program without the worry of being judged.
No matter what your bachelor’s degree is in, the experience you have gained in the past can help you enormously during your BSN program.
As you will have been a student before, you will understand the importance of managing your time efficiently, which is a key attribute that RNs need to succeed. Don’t worry about how much knowledge you have prior to your BSN, as you will soon pick up what you need to learn.
Learn Transferable Skills
Registered nurses need to be excellent at communicating with patients and colleagues. During your BSN program, you will learn a wide range of transferable skills that you can implement into your work, helping you to perform at your best. Naturally, you should have a compassionate attitude toward patients, otherwise you may not deliver appropriate care.
During your BSN program, you will also learn attention to detail, professionalism, how to work well as a team, as well as active listening. BSN students will become masters of written communication too – something which is vital in the nursing world, as you may need to engage with colleagues via email, as well as write patient reports.
Saves Precious Time
When you think of studying for another degree, you may believe you will have set aside numerous years to complete it (especially if you’re in full-time employment). Thankfully, the clue is in the name, meaning an accelerated BSN can take under 12 months to finish.
This means that, should you begin your program tomorrow, you could end up qualifying and working as an RN by the end of the year! Many people don’t have the time or patience to commit to a course that is 2 or 3 years long, making an accelerated BSN an attractive choice.
Flexible Learning
In addition to a shorter timeframe when compared to other degrees, you can study for your accelerated BSN online. Rather than having to worry about getting to a seminar on time, you will have all your course materials within a click of a button.
This means that you can access what you need as and when you need it. Distance learning has other benefits too, such as allowing you to work at a pace that suits you. To get the most out of your online learning, make sure you find a quiet zone in your home that will have no distractions.
If you are currently in employment, you may not be able to afford to take a day or two off work to head to lectures, which is what makes an online program so appealing.
After you have looked into online accelerated bsn programs for non nurses, you should have a better idea of what to expect from the course. However, while most of the course will be online, there is a 2-week, on-campus visit that you will be required to undertake.
Great Career Prospects
Whether your goal is to become and stay as an RN, or you have other ideas, studying for an accelerated BSN can broaden your career opportunities in the nursing profession.
According to the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), registered nurse jobs are expected to grow at a faster rate through 2021. Having job security is crucial for your health and wellbeing, which is why you can be confident that you will find a registered nurse role in no time.
In addition, with the growing number of job opportunities in nursing career fields, you can choose one specifically tailored to your needs, interests, and priorities. For instance, many medical professionals prefer to have a flexible working schedule which is why they apply for per diem jobs. This type of employment allows them to enjoy a varied work environment and experience working in various sectors of medical centers.
Appealing Salary
If you live alone, with a partner, or have children, financial stability is critical for giving you peace of mind. For those who aren’t happy with their current wage, if you complete an accelerated BSN and work as a registered nurse, you can expect to earn roughly $65,000 nationally.
Should you wish to climb the career ladder and earn a master’s degree, your salary can increase as a result and see you earn over $100,000 a year.
Get Hands-on Experience
While most of your BSN program will be online, you will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience. During a clinical, you will be exposed to the typical day-to-day goings-on in a hospital or healthcare facility that allows you to practice your nursing skills and monitor how other health professionals behave and conduct themselves.
As you gain experience, your confidence will be boosted. Make sure that you take notes, ask questions and make connections which could prove valuable when it comes to job hunting.
Studying for an accelerated BSN will teach you everything you need to know to get started as a registered nurse. If you are driven to succeed and want to work in a field that promotes great job satisfaction, a career in nursing may be the right path for you.
Before you enroll in your BSN program, make sure you check out the entry requirements, course fees, and curriculum you will be following to give you a clearer view of what the program entails and whether it’s right for your needs.
