If you’re wondering what’s to come after your biology degree – you may want to consider a different career path. Luckily, your biology degree has provided an excellent foundation for a stable and rewarding career in the health care industry. If you’re looking for a fulfilling, in-demand career, becoming a nurse with a biology degree may be for you.
It’s no surprise – many biology majors shy away from pursuing graduate education. Does the intimidating medical school waitlist come into play? The cost? The time it takes to finish? Or, maybe you are just burned out. Regardless of your reasoning, you can turn your biology degree into a career you love.
Through Concordia University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, you have the opportunity to pursue a career in nursing and graduate in as few as 16 months. Read on to discover the top three reasons you should consider using your biology degree to become a nurse.
1. You’re ahead of the game when it comes to prerequisites.
You may not know it yet, but your biology degree has already paved the path to your nursing school success. The courses you’ve previously taken could be applied toward your Concordia University nursing degree.
Having all the required ABSN prerequisites can allow you to start sooner – preparing you to get to the fun hands-on nursing skills sooner as well. However, in this fast, yet rigorous path to becoming a nurse, quality is not compromised for speed.
Although our ABSN continues to remain intellectually challenging, don’t be frightened. Your existing biology degree makes it more likely that you’ll succeed. Your knowledge of biology, chemistry, anatomy and pharmacology should help you adapt well to the nursing curriculum. As a result, you might be able to place most of your focus on understanding more in-depth nursing practices and how to connect with patients on a personal level.
Having an existing biology degree also provides insight into applying accustomed problem-solving techniques – one of the most crucial skills needed in the nursing field.
2. You don’t have to wait.
A waitlist of any sort can be discouraging, especially when the future of your career relies on your forward movement. The demand for equipped nurses across the country continues to increase, causing the demand for quality nursing education to rise as well. Unfortunately, nursing school programs with limited capacity are often unable to meet the increased demand.
This recurring problem can be contributed to two things: the lack of faculty within nursing programs and of clinical placements in local healthcare facilities. The scarcity of nurse educators is causing nursing schools across the nation to reject thousands of qualified candidates. According to an article published in Nursing Outlook, between 2016 and 2025, one third of the current nursing faculty workforce in baccalaureate and graduate programs is expected to retire.
According to a recent article published by The Mercury News, students in California are having to endure a selective application process.
In this strict process, students are admitted into programs based on categories such as GPA, previous academic degrees, relevant health care certification and experience, second language proficiency, and life experiences or special incidences such as disabilities or low income. Students who possess these qualifications are then added to a random lottery for selection into nursing programs.
Fortunately, through Concordia University’s accelerated BSN, you do not have to wait to pursue your nursing career. With three class starts each year (January, May and September), our ABSN in Portland is able to compress your nursing education into 16 months.
Our innovative, in-depth clinical rotations allow you to network with renowned healthcare employers in the Portland area. This means, if you are a good student and make a great impression on hospital staff, there is a possibility that you’ll be offered a job at the partnership hospital.
Hospitals actively seek educated nurses who understand their dynamic systems and processes. The time you spend performing clinical rotations will give you a leg up on the competition. That’s yet another reason why now is a great time to change your career direction to nursing.
3. Your career opportunities in nursing are countless.
Did you know that a career in nursing is expected to become the second-fastest growing occupation over the next few years? With this in mind, it only makes sense that the demand for nursing expertise is expected to rise, too.
If you are determined to get the most out of your nursing career, then earning a BSN is a smart career move. Furthering your education will allow you to break away from basic clinical care. If you envision yourself moving into administration or teaching one day, you will need a BSN or higher degree.
Earning a BSN through Concordia University will prepare you with leadership and management skills in organization, advocacy and communication – making you suitable for many more acclaimed jobs in nursing. Also, a BSN degree will offer you higher earning potential, cultivate your personal and professional growth, and make you a rare asset to healthcare organizations.
The American Association of Colleges in Nursing states that BSN nurses are strongly favored among healthcare employers because they can practice across a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings. The AACN also adds that healthcare foundations, federal agencies, leading nurse organizations and nurse advocacy groups all recognize the special value that BSN nurses bring to the workplace.
Whether you are working toward a nursing career to practice clinical care or are determined to climb the health care ladder, we are thrilled to supply you with a quality nursing education to help you cross the bridge from biology to nursing.
Seize the chance to start now.
The healthcare career you’ve always dreamed of is waiting for you. Take advantage of Concordia University’s ABSN so you can become an in-demand, BSN-educated nurse in 16 months.
If you’re ready to put your hard-earned biology degree to new use, take the first step by contacting an ABSN admissions counselor today.
