Earning your degree in nursing is something that’s both special and practical. There is a wider variety of ways to get into the field than you might have initially thought. Keep reading to learn some of the different strategies that you can use to get your foot in the medical door.
If you want to become a nurse, it’s important for you to understand that there are many different ways that you can go about this. If you’re just coming out of school and you know for sure you want to become a nurse, you can take the traditional four-year route. If you’re finishing up your bachelor’s in a different industry but want to switch to nursing, this is another option available to you. Then, you still have the all-important exams you need to sit for. Overall, it’s a journey that is strict in terms of knowledge, exams and board registration but simultaneously flexible in its studying options.
Start With a Traditional Four-Year Nursing Degree
If you’ve always known that nursing is what you want to do, then a traditional four-year undergraduate nursing degree is often the most direct option.
Instead of studying another subject first, you’ll enrol in a nursing programme and spend the next few years developing both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to enter the profession. Many universities now give you different ways to study. Depending on the institution, you may choose to attend classes on campus, study online or complete a hybrid programme that combines both approaches.
Although this route takes longer than some alternative pathways, it’s ideal if you’re starting your nursing journey from the beginning.
Already Have a Bachelor’s Degree? You May Be Able to Fast-Track
If you’ve already completed a bachelor’s degree, even if it’s in a completely different subject, you may not need to start all over again.
Many universities now offer direct entry masters of nursing programs that are designed specifically for graduates who want to move into nursing. These programmes recognise the academic work you’ve already completed and build on that foundation instead of asking you to complete another undergraduate degree. This typically takes around 20 months, which is a far cry from the traditional four-year route mentioned above.
One of the biggest advantages is that your first degree doesn’t necessarily have to be related to healthcare. Your previous university experience has already helped you develop valuable academic and study skills that can support you throughout postgraduate nursing education.
Many of these programmes are also available online, making them a practical option if you’re working or balancing other responsibilities while studying.
Passing the NCLEX-RN Is an Important Step
No matter which study pathway you choose, there is one important step that every aspiring registered nurse must complete.
After graduating, you’ll need to sit the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Successfully passing this examination is required before you can become a registered nurse. During your studies, you’ll gradually build the knowledge, clinical judgement and practical understanding needed to prepare for the exam.
If you’re interested in leadership later in your career, you may also decide to complete the Clinical Nurse Leader pathway. After the appropriate postgraduate study, you can sit the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) certification examination. But this is not a must; you get to decide whether or not you’d like to add extra certificates like this.
The most important part of this exam stage is not so much the exam itself but rather that you find a course that allows you to sit for these exams. This means that you shouldn’t focus on the big exam and registration side of things. First, find a university that you like and that is accredited, one that will allow you to sit for these exams.
Every Path Requires Commitment
Although there are different ways to become a nurse, every route requires dedication and consistent effort.
You’ll complete coursework, practical training and clinical placements that prepare you for professional nursing practice. Whether you study full-time, online or through a hybrid programme, you must stay committed to the cause.
It’s critical for you to remember that becoming a nurse is not only a dream of yours but it’s also a practical occupation that brings you closer to people in their most desperate times. You’ll often be surrounded by people who are sick, people who truly need your help and that’s why your studies are so much more than just studies. They’re the daily habits and knowledge that you will use to assist those in need around you. Becoming a nurse is not an easy option; however, it is a meaningful one.
There Are More Options Than You Might Think
One of the biggest advantages of nursing education today is that you have choices.
You might decide to complete a traditional undergraduate degree because you’ve always known this is the career you wanted. Or perhaps you’ve already earned a bachelor’s degree and now want to change direction through a postgraduate programme. Both pathways can lead you to the same destination; they’re just different approaches. This is something pretty rare. It’s fascinating that you can study your undergraduate in a completely different course and then still use that knowledge and those credits. All you need to do is add just under two years’ worth of in-depth nursing studies and just like that, you can earn your master’s.
But regardless of which route you take, in the end of the day, becoming a practising nurse comes down to completing your education and successfully passing your licensing examination. Once you’ve passed the exam and you’re a registered nurse, the medical world is your oyster and your occupation is in demand.
Whether you study on campus, online or through a hybrid programme, there are several ways to reach your goal. Traditional undergraduate degrees and direct-entry master’s programs both provide recognised pathways into the profession. The route may look different from one student to the next but the outcome is the same: you’ll gain the knowledge, practical experience and professional skills needed to begin a rewarding career in nursing.
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