If you've been thinking about making a career change, here are three reasons why you should go back to school for nursing.
3 Reasons to Consider a Second Degree in Nursing:
1. Nursing blends critical thinking and communication.
Nurses are trained to think critically, and it’s for good reason. They are required to balance information with interpersonal communication. Whether it’s reviewing a care plan with a team member, or listening to the concerns of a patient, nurses rely on both information and emotional intelligence.
Concordia University’s Second Degree BSN Program Director Dr. Sue Cole, Ph.D, RN, says that building relationships is the best part about being a nurse. She says, “Establishing trust and building caring relationships with people takes time, but it’s my favorite part of the job. Developing relationships and interacting is so important.”
Uncommon Nurses
Concordia University’s mission is to prepare students for service to Christ and the world. You’ll often hear and see the word “Uncommon” at Concordia, and being Uncommon is what sets us apart. In the midst of chaos, nurses have to dig deep to problem-solve with grace. Other times, nurses are celebrating with their patients and their families after a final round of radiation, or when a surgery is successful. These very human moments happen, but they’re also making important decisions for the well-being of their patients. Nurses are constantly growing in their ability to look at a situation and determine the best course of action based on data and experience. It takes an Uncommon person to do all of that with empathy. Even on a slow day, there are plenty of opportunities to Live Uncommon as a nurse.
Current student Luther Himsel wanted more out of his career. When he shared what made him pursue nursing, he said, “I wanted to live out Jesus’ greatest commandment, which is to love God and love your neighbor as yourself. When I thought about where I could do that, nursing made the most sense. The career appeals to me because part of the job is to show mercy to your neighbor. I [get to] be compassionate at work.”
2. Nursing means getting paid to make a difference.
Nursing can be an appealing career choice because you can make a good living while helping others. Additionally, the job outlook for nurses is good. Back in 2017, AMN Healthcare surveyed a group of nurses, and 75% of them indicated that they planned to retire in the next three years.
Dr. Cole agrees with the trend, saying, “Nursing is a very in-demand profession right now. Lots of nurses are retiring early, due to COVID-19 and other reasons.” Nursing World reports that by 2022, “there will be far more registered nurse jobs available than any other profession, at more than 100,000 per year.”
While salary isn’t the only motivation for pursuing a career, a poor salary can certainly be demotivating. If you’re going to make a career change, it’s wise to investigate realistic salaries for your context, just so you know what to expect. Nurse.org posted this blog that breaks down some of the terms around nursing salaries. While it’s important to keep in mind cost-of-living, even the lowest-paying states’ average salaries are competitive in nursing.
3. Nursing allows you to follow your dreams.
“One key advantage of nursing is that you can make lateral and upward moves,” Cole says. If you want to specialize in something, you can focus on one area. If start in pediatrics, but then you want to pivot and move into critical care, that’s available. Perhaps, you’re inspired to work in community health. Do you have an adventurous spirit? Maybe you want to be a travel nurse. There are lots of opportunities to try new things.
Obviously, with certain pivots, there could be additional certifications and trainings required, but the options are still there. Many nurses discover that they want to grow as leaders and influence the healthcare system in that way. You can determine what you want to get out of your career and go for it.
So, what is the Second Degree BSN?
This program is an accelerated second bachelor’s degree for students who already have an undergraduate degree but want to pursue a career in nursing. Most students complete this program in 14 months. Dr. Sue Cole not only has experience as a nurse, but she has over 25 years of experience in education, and she’s passionate about teaching students who want to change careers.
The students in this program are considered “adult learners” and vary in age. Many of them have families and other responsibilities to manage. Graduates from this program end their coursework and graduate in April, as opposed to May, in order to prepare for the NCLEX.
Are you ready?
Do you want to know more about taking the next step in pursuing a Second Degree BSN? Feel free to request more information.
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