If you are thinking about going back to school for nursing, we explain how this can be a great career move. Especially if you will be pursing nursing as a second degree, we can connect you to accelerated BSN programs to help you kick-start your career.
Ever thought about going back to school for nursing? If so, now’s the time to take action. Not only are nurses in high demand across the country, but there are also a growing number of accelerated nursing programs that make it possible to earn a quality BSN in as few as 16 months.
To qualify for an accelerated nursing program, you need to have an undergraduate education outside of nursing. Some schools require a minimum of 60 non-nursing college credits, while others want you to have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. GPA requirements also vary from school to school, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 being the most common.
Perfect for career changers, accelerated nursing programs essentially allow individuals to pick up where they left off in college — no matter their previous field of study.
While many accelerated nursing students come from a biology, psychology or health sciences background, there are also those who studied accounting, communications, engineering and sociology as an undergrad.
If you think you have what it takes to accelerate into the profession, let’s see how going back to school for nursing can change your life for the better.
Registered Nurse Salary
While different sources provide different information regarding the average annual income of a registered nurse, it’s safe to say a nursing career comes with relatively high pay.
- In 2022, Glassdoor estimates the average salary for RNs in the US to be $84,249 and additional pay, such as bonuses, to be $21,301. This comes to a total annual pay of $105,550.
- As of 2022, PayScale lists the average salary of an RN with a BSN at $89,000 per year. This is $16,000 more than their estimation for RNs with associate degrees.
- As of 2022, ZipRecruiter listed the national average salary for registered nurses as $86,468 per year, and identified six states which have salaries above this national average. Washington comes in first, with a $101,587 average, followed by New York with a $94,681 average. You can also expect higher-than-average salaries in California, Idaho, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
Positively Impact Others as a Nurse
While the nursing profession can be physically and emotionally taxing, it can also be an incredibly rewarding one. Working with people in some of their most difficult and vulnerable moments takes a great deal of sensitivity and compassion.
This is why nurses are the most trusted professionals in the country. For 20 years straight, the nursing profession has topped the annual Gallup Honesty and Ethics Poll. Most people pursue the profession because they value meaningful interactions and have a passion for helping others.
Career Diversity in Nursing
While hospitals are the largest employers of registered nurses, there are countless other organizations that have nurses on their payrolls, such as cruise ships, military bases, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, physician offices and school systems.
Not to mention, there are more than 100 nursing specialties to choose from, with the majority of them available to those with a BSN or higher.
While every nursing specialty has a unique set of certification requirements, it’s possible for you to pursue a job as a holistic nurse, flight nurse, forensic nurse, nurse executive, obstetrics nurse, parish nurse, school nurse or trauma nurse. And with all of these options, you’ll be likely to find a career path that best suits your desired lifestyle, personal interests, and schedule.
Occupational Growth for Registered Nurses
Currently, there are more than three million registered nurses working in the United States, with 194,500 new jobs expected to come to fruition each year over the next decade. Furthermore, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the nursing profession will grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030.
This growth will come as the result of our country’s increased emphasis on preventive care, more individuals suffering from chronic conditions, and greater demand for health care services that cater to the aging baby-boomer population.
Set on Going Back to School for Nursing?
If you have a non-nursing college education and want to go back to school for nursing, we can pair you up with an accelerated nursing program that matches your qualifications.
Simply complete our online form and we’ll get to work. This is a totally free service, and we only share your information with applicable non-profit higher learning institutions. You are also under no obligation to attend any of the nursing schools that contact you.
