After four years, you’ve finally finished all the coursework to earn your biology degree. You made it through chemistry labs and anatomy and physiology courses, but now you’re at a crossroads. What’s next?
One option is to spend a few more years in school becoming an MD or scientific researcher. But if you are a people person who loves helping others and want to begin your career in as few as 15 months, applying your biology degree toward an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program might be the right next move for you.
Here, we’ll be discussing how to become an RN with a biology degree. Fortunately, with Notre Dame of Maryland University’s Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN program, you could be kicking off your new career sooner than you might think.
Read on for more on how to become an RN with a biology degree.
1. Complete Program Requirements
To be eligible for the Notre Dame Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN program, you must first meet a series of requirements, including prerequisite courses. If you have a bachelor’s degree in biology, it’s likely you have already completed many, if not all, of the science-based prerequisites.
However, if there are any prerequisites you haven’t completed, our admissions counselors will be able to enroll you in those and create an academic plan to guide you on the path to becoming a nurse. They’ll also help you gather everything you need to apply to the accelerated nursing program and create an enrollment plan based on your career goals and target start date.
2. Apply to the ABSN Program
The NDMU ABSN admissions process includes four steps. To apply, you’ll need official college transcript(s) from all prior institutions, a current resume, and a personal statement telling us why you want to be a nurse. However, before you even think about applying, you need to talk to an admissions counselor.
Your admissions counselor will help you arrange a start date and ensure all requirements are met beforehand. They will also be there for advice and guidance as you take on this accelerated nursing program.
Once the above steps are completed, you can submit your application and any required documentation online.
3. Start Nursing School
Once you’re accepted into an ABSN program such as the one NDMU offers, the next step in becoming an RN with a biology degree is starting nursing school.
In both the Hybrid Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN and campus-based ABSN programs, here’s what you can expect as an NDMU nursing student:
- 56 credit hours over four full-time semesters during our 15-month ABSN program.
- A learning experience that fits your schedule, allowing you to complete your foundational nursing theory coursework via our e-Learning platform or in a classroom-based setting.
- Hands-on nursing skills practice at our simulation labs.
- A wide variety of clinical experiences from hospitals and health care facilities across Maryland.
While nursing takes a lot of hard work and determination, the skills you will gain through the BSN program are highly transferable and needed now more than ever. Not to mention, you won’t be completing the program alone — as an NDMU ABSN student you’ll have support from nursing faculty and clinical instructors. You can also work with our success coaches, who can help you develop study strategies and maintain a healthy school-life balance.
4. Pass the NCLEX and Obtain Your RN License
In order to start your nursing career, you first need to take and pass the NCLEX. This exam tests graduates on their critical thinking in a variety of practical nursing areas, including, but not limited to, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.
With the specialized coursework and valuable hands-on experience, our accelerated nursing program sets you up for success.
Once you pass the NCLEX, you will become qualified to apply for a registered nurse (RN) license in the state you’d like to practice in. Note this process varies from state to state, so research the Board of Nursing website for your state.
5. Find a Job
Once you obtain your RN license, you’re now qualified to practice as a nurse. Becoming an RN with a biology degree is a great move because it comes with many opportunities and relative job security. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment of registered nurses is slated to grow 9% by 2029. Due to this demand, you will likely have no trouble finding a job upon completion of our ABSN program and passing the NCLEX.
With a BSN, your possibilities are endless. The flexibility and tremendous job growth allow you to explore a variety of alternative nursing careers both inside and outside the hospital setting. With this in mind, you can turn your biology degree into a rewarding career in nursing.
A Bachelor’s in Biology Gives You a Head Start Toward Your BSN
Becoming an RN with a biology degree just makes sense.
With a biology degree, you’ve already fulfilled many of the prerequisite courses required to enroll in the Notre Dame ABSN program.
With these out of the way, you’ll likely be able to hit the ground running on your new career and begin our ABSN program sooner than your peers without a Bachelor of Science degree. Your knowledge of biology, chemistry, anatomy, and pharmacology also sets you up for success in the nursing curriculum, so you’re already off to a good start.
Are You Ready to Transition into a Career in Nursing?
Now that you know what to expect from our program, are you ready to turn your biology degree into a nursing career? It all starts with a phone conversation with one of our admissions counselors, who can help you determine if you’ll be a good fit for our ABSN program. Complete the form to get started today!