Nurses are an essential part of our society, providing care to people with numerous ailments and conditions. As medical professionals, they are usually the ones directly with patients and offer them the necessary care and support. If you intend to become a nurse, but don’t have an undergraduate career, you can learn about the options for entering the nursing field. Let’s begin.
Register for an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Every registered nurse must either have a bachelor’s degree or an associate degree in nursing. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, you can register for this program. Several schools offer accelerated programs for individuals without a nursing major, where they can take the required courses, and clinical hours in a short period. For example, you can become a registered nurse in under two years through online nursing programs in Illinois. It could usually range from 12 to 18 months based on the school.
During the bachelor’s degree, you would be presented with several opportunities to complete the clinical hours. Every prospective nurse must complete clinical hours where they can treat and interact with real patients at physicians, hospitals, and clinics.
This usually goes on in rotations, allowing them to experience different departments and specialties inside the medical field. As someone new to the field, these clinical hours are essential, as you can build the required connections with fellow nurses, physicians, and other healthcare experts on the job.
Complete the NCLEX-RN Examination
Next, you should complete the NCLEX-RN exam. You need to pass this exam before to enable you to qualify for the practice license in your state. The accelerated BSN program would provide you with the required knowledge, experience, and training to get a pass on the exam. Usually, it focuses on your critical thinking ability during a common nursing situation.
After passing the NCLEX-RN exam, the next step is to apply for your state nursing license. The requirements usually vary based on the state. You must check to ensure you have the required materials and the fees. During this process, ensure you work on your cover letter and resume.
Establish a Job Networking System.
To ensure you find support and resources, you would need a good network of medical professionals, including colleagues, professors, colleagues, and any person you think can provide you with opportunities or valuable information.
Submit Job Applications
Submit applications for open roles by searching for them and filtering based on geography and also through your professional network. You can consider giving your resume and cover letter to nursing professionals to make improvements and offer a second opinion.
Endnote
Individuals looking to consider nursing as a second career don’t need to feel the process is too complicated. With a bachelor’s degree in any field, you can use your education to enter an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program and complete your education in at most two years. If you have work or family responsibilities, an online nursing program might be of benefit. With this, you can complete the program at your convenience.
