Healthcare remains one of the fastest-growing industries for all the right reasons. The industry isn’t just catering to a growing need, but also improving itself by expanding its services. It is not surprising to see more healthcare-related jobs being made available. There is no shortage of opportunities for those who want to enter the field.
Even better, there are also more ways you can pivot to healthcare and jumpstart your career. For starters, you don’t have to be a physician to be in healthcare. The industry is just as robust as others, plus there are new ways to prepare yourself for the career ahead. Enrolling in an accelerated nursing program is one of them, but here are the things you need to know before you do.
Taking an accelerated nursing program: things you should know
#1: A Degree in Any Field
One thing to keep in mind when it comes to an accelerated BSN program is the fact that it is made for those who already have a degree in other fields. The available programs will require you to have a bachelor’s degree in any non-nursing discipline in order to enroll for an accelerated BSN program.
It doesn’t stop there either. You are required to take a HESI exam. HESI or Health Education System Incorporated is a company that provides such exams for students who are preparing for their nursing program or professional licensure exam. Top accelerated BSN programs use the HESI exam as a way to filter students entering their course.
Other than these two specific points, there are other requirements to meet as well. Some courses require a minimum GPA of 2.75. Others make pre-requisite programs mandatory before you can start with your pursuit for a Bachelor of Nursing degree. Nevertheless, finding a suitable program and qualifying for it is still very easy to do.
#2: Experience Is as Important as Education
Accelerated BSN programs are perfect for kickstarting your nursing career, but they are far from the only way. In fact, you shouldn’t wait until you have completed your course before seeking experience in the field. Getting some experience and interacting with professional nurses can really help your pursuit for a nursing degree and vice versa.
Fortunately, there is a simple solution to this chicken-and-egg problem: internship. Many healthcare service providers have internship programs for both students and future students. The programs are designed so that you can work alongside professional nurses and learn from their experience, all while assisting them in getting their day-to-day tasks completed.
An internship in a reputable healthcare service provider will also help jumpstart your career as soon as you complete the nursing program. The experience you will earn through the program allows you to prepare yourself mentally. While the field is very exciting and filled with opportunities, it is also among the more challenging fields today.
#3: Time Management is Key
Despite the relatively short course timeframe, accelerated nursing programs are still very demanding. Taking an online accelerated BSN program from Baylor University Online or another reputable university means investing time and energy. You have to be smart about how you approach the program to be successful. UTA offers a thorough 15-month BSN program so you can get your degree in no time.
For starters, you need to allocate enough time for completing course assignments and going through course materials. Simply listening to lectures alone is not enough. You must be proactive in your study too, especially if you want to complete the course in as little time as possible. Traditionally, an accelerated BSN program can be completed in 3 to 12 weeks.
The same time management skill you use to complete the course will come in handy once you start building your career in nursing. Time management allows you to treat patients effectively without dealing with burnouts and other negative side effects of a tight schedule. It is also the key to maintaining a work-life balance in this field.
#4: Find a Mentor
Whether it is a lecturer, a fellow student with more experience, or the professional nurses you come across while volunteering or participating in an internship program, finding a mentor is one of the best things you can do at this point in your career. A lot of successful nurses are successful because they were able to learn from the best.
Finding a good mentor is the easy part. The real challenge is stealing as many important habits and experiences as possible. Make sure both you and your mentor understand the goals you are trying to achieve, and that two-way communication can always happen seamlessly. That is how you can learn the most from the experience.
Of course, interaction with a mentor needs to extend beyond life at the hospital or in class. Having conversations over coffee or doing other things like sharing a morning walk will allow you to also learn how to carry yourself as a nurse when you are not working. You’ll be amazed by how much you can learn from a suitable mentor, both professionally and personally.
#5: Ask Questions
Last but certainly not least, always be willing to ask questions. In fact, your ability to ask the right questions and get suitable answers is crucial in this line of work. From the moment you start taking the online BSN program, you will find asking questions to be incredibly useful. The right questions will lead to a better understanding of the course materials.
Later in your career, asking the right questions will help you treat patients better and faster. Questions are not to be avoided; they are something you want to embrace as a nurse. The same is true with asking for help. As mentioned previously, nursing is a demanding field, but that doesn’t mean you have to shoulder the burden on your own.
To complement your ability to ask questions, learn to listen carefully and take notes in a fast but clear way. The combination will make you an exceptional student and a very capable nurse. Combined with the hard skills you learn as part of the BSN program, getting started with a career in nursing and becoming an accomplished nurse is easier than you think.
