Are you considering making a career change to nursing? There are many reasons why choosing nursing as a second career is an excellent decision, and with the help of the ABSN program at Notre Dame of Maryland University, you can make the transition to nursing even sooner.
After investing time and money into earning a degree and starting a career, it can feel scary to make a change by shifting into a new career field. You may have the inclination to continue working within a field that does not feel fulfilling, but if you know that it is not the right path for you, it may be time to make a career change to nursing.
If you’ve been thinking about making a career change to nursing, Notre Dame of Maryland University’s Accelerated 2nd Degree ABSN can help. We understand that switching careers can feel daunting, which is exactly why our program supports you every step of the way. No matter what stage of life you’re at, it’s never too late to start your journey toward becoming a registered nurse.
Why Becoming a Nurse Later in Life is Worth It
A career in nursing is an investment in your future. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of registered nurses is slated to grow by 9 percent from 2020 to 2030. Nurses are in high demand, and that demand doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. About 175,900 openings for registered nurses are projected each year for the next 10 years. With a career in nursing, you’ll have relative job security and an employment field that allows you to wear many different hats while knowing you are helping others.
Nursing wages also worth mentioning, since the BLS reports that in 2021 the average annual wage of registered nurses was $89,010. While this is an excellent wage, if you choose to pursue further education or certification, that number can rise significantly. While nursing school is a significant investment of time, energy, and money, it can pay off sooner than pursuing a degree in another field while allowing you to enter the career of your dreams.
There are numerous reasons to become a nurse, but one of the best is if you have a passion for helping people through health care. You will have the opportunity to care for patients on a daily basis, supporting their families, and walking with them through some of the most difficult times of their lives. In a field as diverse as nursing, this drive could manifest itself in a hundred different ways. The field of nursing encompasses working with children in pediatrics, all the way to managing life-or-death situations in the ICU. Wherever your passion takes you, this is the perfect opportunity for you to make the leap.
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Making the Transition to Nursing in an ABSN Program
With the help of Notre Dame of Maryland University’s ABSN program, transitioning to a career in nursing is more accessible than ever. Our hybrid ABSN program offers three start dates per year — in January, May, and September — making it possible to begin your nursing education sooner. Our on-campus ABSN program offers one start date per year in May.
Once you are admitted to our ABSN program, you can expect that high level of support you received earlier in the admissions process to continue throughout your time at NDMU. In both the hybrid and campus-based ABSN programs we offer, nursing faculty and clinical instructors always have your back. They are responsive and available, responding to questions and concerns while making your time in the program run smoothly.
You should know that in any ABSN program, your instructors will hit the ground running. Don’t be surprised if they throw a lot of material your way through online coursework, reading assignments, and other work during your first semester. The coursework you complete in the first semester of nursing school sets the stage for the rest of your nursing education, so expect to kick things off quickly.
Your first semester of nursing school will also involve skills and simulation labs, which you can expect to attend multiple days each week. In these labs, you’ll learn to develop and apply basic nursing skills such as wound care and intubation. These universal skills prepare you for any nursing position. Clinical rotations also begin in the first semester of the Notre Dame ABSN program. Clinicals will give you hands-on experience in real-world nursing.
Along with your application, include your official college transcript(s) from previous institutions, an up-to-date resume, and a personal statement stating why you are pursuing nursing.
Wondering about admissions requirements and why they are in place? Learn why nursing school requirements are important for your success.
It’s Never Too Late to Start Nursing as a Second Career
If you are wondering, “is it too late to become a nurse,” do not worry because it is never too late. No matter your age, educational background, or work experience, there is a place for you in the world of nursing. If you meet the admissions requirements for the ABSN program, you can get started even sooner.
The Notre Dame of Maryland University Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN program condenses a 36-month nursing school curriculum into 15 months, which is why it requires a lot of focus, drive, and dedication to be successful in the program.
Our program is built for students who hold non-nursing bachelor’s degrees and wish to enter the nursing field quickly. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, we get that you don’t want to spend more time than you must completing prerequisites and earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Our program is also designed for people who are dedicated to their career change to nursing, and understand the time and commitment involved.
Tips for Getting Started in the NDMU ABSN Program?
We want to get you started on the right foot and make sure that our program is a perfect match for you. Here are four ways an admissions counselor will help you get started:
- Speak with an admissions counselor. Your admissions counselor will be the main point of contact throughout the admissions process. They’ll be there with you each step of the way with your needs and goals in mind.
- Make an academic plan. They will work with you to create an academic plan of action that fits your life and help you determine which of our three start dates will work best for you.
- Complete any needed ABSN prerequisites. Your admissions counselor will also help you identify which (if any) prerequisite courses you may need to take before submitting your application.
It’s Never Too Late to Start a Career You Love
Now that you have a better idea of how to make the career change to nursing, are you ready to take the first step toward becoming a registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree? Contact our admissions team at 866-664-9033 or complete our online form to have one of our admissions counselors contact you.