Healthcare is expected to generate approximately 3.2 million new jobs over the next decade, which is more than any other industry will create during that time, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Professionals who are looking for a career change may want to consider obtaining a degree in a healthcare-related field.
In fact, some schools are providing accelerated nursing programs that are specifically designed for individuals who have already completed a bachelor's or master's degree in a different discipline.
For example, Felician College recently announced that it will launch a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN), according to the institution's website.
Enrollees will be required to complete prerequisite courses as well as other curriculum, according to the news provider. Upon completion, these students will be eligible to take the National Council Lisensure Examination, a required test that must be passed by those who wish to become registered nurses (RNs).
Muriel Shore, dean at Felician, told the news source that students will have "the opportunity for hands-on clinical lab experiences, which include high fidelity simulation informatics and a variety of different technology-enhanced learning experiences."
Throughout the duration of the BSN, students will participate in a clinical residency program, which is intended to help them transition into a nursing role. Guidance and mentoring from school staff members will also be provided for enrollees.
Professionals who wish to pursue a BSN will discover that some institutions that offer similar accelerated programs also provide scholarships. For instance, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ)-School of nursing recently received a grant of $600,000 from the Helene Fuld Health Trust. Half of the money - approximately $300,000 - will go toward tuition assistance for students.
Susan Salmon, a professor at the school, said that UMDNJ's accelerated BSN "provides an excellent entry point into nursing for high-achieving women and men" who are from various backgrounds. "As adults who already have earned academic degrees, many of our students have already exhausted their options for financial aid," she added.
Schools may offer similar options that individuals could find beneficial if they wish to become an RN. According to the BLS, the number of positions for this profession will increase by 22 percent over the next eight years, resulting in 581,500 new jobs.
