Second Degree Nursing Programs

The second degree nursing program is a bachelor degree program in nursing available to people who already possess a bachelor degree in another field. This program is often designed as an accelerated program, because many of the overlapping courses are eliminated. This program offers students the opportunity to change their field of study in a manner which will provide them with an efficient program designed to focus on the courses needed for entering the nursing field. One nursing school which offers this accelerated program is Purdue University. The University website provides a comprehensive overview of what the course entails and what the requirements are for enrollment.
 

Getting Accepted into a Second Degree Nursing Program

In order to be accepted into the second degree program for nursing, applicants must have already obtained at least twenty-eight credits in the combined fields of social sciences, humanities, mathematics and etc. These basic credits will allow the student to begin the first part of a two part program. In order to continue to the second part, the student will need to have obtained at least fifty-nine credits in areas that pertain to the field of nursing. These include both theory and clinical studies. In regards to the program offered at Purdue, the required credits in the field of nursing can only be accepted if they are obtained at Purdue.

Benefits of a Second Degree Nursing Program

The benefits of choosing the second degree nursing program include the ability to graduate within fifteen months after beginning the program. Graduates will be able to take the national licensing exam for registered nurses upon completion of the program. Once a license is obtained, these graduates can work in any of the related fields where registered nurses are employed. In addition to the course offered at Purdue, Penn State also has a sixteen month program for undergraduates, as does Waynesburg University. When looking for the best nursing schools to attend, students will find several educational institutions offering courses online. The online nursing schools will offer a range of different certificate and degree programs.

The online programs should be offered by an accredited school to ensure the education received will be accepted by state licensing bureaus and employers. Accredited schools will also be accepted by the financial aid institution for students who wish to apply for government grants and loans. The ability to transfer the credits obtained from a first degree to the second degree program, makes it easier for many people to change their filed of study without starting over from the beginning.

Its never to late to go back to school if your thinking about becoming a nurse. A Second Degree Nursing Program won’t necessarily be easy but its the path you need to head down if your goal is to become a nurse.