Making a career choice can often be influenced by a change in passion, a wish to earn a larger salary, or a desire to do something for positive humanity. Nursing is one profession that can allow you to help others while making a good income. If you wish to acquire a nursing degree in the shortest time possible, then an ABSN (Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing) is surely for you.
The online ABSN for Iowans allows you to acquire the degree from home so you can work alongside. If you are wondering whether getting one can benefit you, you are at the right spot. This guide will look at what an ABSN Degree is and how you can benefit from completing an accelerated course.
What Is an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing?
An ABSN program is suitable for students that have already acquired a Bachelor’s degree in another profession and want to switch fields or have become interested in nursing. The degree acknowledges undergraduate work and allows students to be awarded a Bachelor’s in Nursing in just 16 months. The best part is that many institutes offer online courses, making it easier to acquire this degree.
Online courses are strictly monitored by the faculty and university administration to ensure that students enrolled can succeed in pursuing a nursing career.
- Hospitals and medical institutes have started preferring a BSN degree over an RN. Registered Nurses have a two-year associate degree or ADN
- A Bachelor’s degree promotes analytical thinking, research, and leadership skills
- The Department of Veterans Affairs and the United States military require registered nurses to have a BSN degree to get a promotion and be hired in various branches
4 Advantages of Obtaining an ABSN Degree
Most people opt for the ABSN degree when they wish to switch careers or complete their education in a shorter time frame. No matter your reason for choosing this program, being aware of the advantages can help you decide with peace of mind. Let’s look at the four main ones below:
Good Use of Your Skills
Most people believe that only individuals with a degree in the STEM field opt for a Nursing career. However, the truth is that a study by the ANA deduced that only one-third of nurses are from the STEM background, and the rest, 65% are from various fields like social sciences, business, and public administration.
They also found that the decision to switch careers included an understanding that the individual can use their current skill set to pursue a career in nursing. Most believe that their life and work experiences will not go to waste when they make a switch.
- People already having experience in another career are better at following schedules and deadlines.
- They are good at communicating and are experienced at working with colleagues and staff.
- They can stick to priorities and requirements set by their manager/boss.
Constant Demand
A nurse shortage has been a cause of concern in the medical sector for the last decade. Several measures have been taken to increase the number of registered nurses with a Bachelor’s degree to fill the gap. Even the nurse-to-patient ratio has been trying to be raised since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the total number of RNs will increase by nearly 7% by 2029. This means approximately 222,000 more new jobs and an increase in RNs by 0.3 million individuals. This demand is expected to rise continually, with a lookout for highly educated and qualified nurses. ABSN degree holders are, therefore, a perfect fit.
You Can Start Earning Straight Away
People that opt for accelerated courses wish to enter the work field as soon as possible. The ABSN degree can fully prepare students with the necessary knowledge and skills in just two years. This is nearly half the time required for a four-year program. Once education is complete, students must pass the NCLEX-RN, the nursing board exam. Upon passing, they can attain a license to start working as registered nurses.
Ease of Learning With Great Earning Potential
Ease of learning is probably the most attractive aspect of getting the ABSN degree. Students can apply online and complete their education from their homes.
The syllabus also contains all relevant skills and knowledge required to start working immediately after. The degree requires 60 credit hours and approximately 700 clinical and lab work hours. Most courses can be completed at the student’s desired pace and time.
Not only is there a huge demand for nurses with immense job opportunities, but the career also pays well. Nurses can get registered right after they complete the degree to start earning a salary. The BLS estimated that the average salary for RNs is around $73,000. This comes to around $35 hourly, which is greater than most other jobs pay.
The best part is that the salary will only increase with time and professional experience. Job requirements and location can also allow you to earn more than the average. RNs with a BSN degree earn around $15.000 more than those without one. Getting a specialization only raises this amount even higher.
Endnote
No matter how you look at it, getting an ABSN degree is the best choice if you are interested in nursing. Not only can you serve humanity and care for patients, but you can also earn a decent income to support your own family.
