Getting started in nursing can feel like a huge step, but the good news is that there are so many ways to go about it. More options may be a bit intimidating to start with, but once you realize that there is an option out there that suits you perfectly, you will see that getting started with a new career in nursing couldn’t be easier.
The right path for you will depend on where you are in your career, your background, and your needs. To help you choose the right path in your nursing education, you will need to be aware of your goals and your needs.
You always have options, and knowing your options from the get-go can help you earn your qualifications faster and easier and open up new opportunities that suit you best in this new and exciting career.
Getting Your RN Qualification: The Options
You have a few big options when it comes to getting your RN qualification. After all, you can technically earn either an associate’s degree in nursing or a bachelor of science in nursing to become an RN. If you have any aspirations beyond RN, however, you are better off earning a BSN from the get-go.
It can be hard and sometimes even feel impossible to get back into education, especially when you won’t get any big benefit out of it. So, while technically you can earn an associate’s degree in nursing, become an RN, and then transfer your ADN credits towards a BSN and earn your BSN qualification that way, most won’t push for those two extra years.
Earning a BSN outright also means you have more career options and can even negotiate a higher wage. BSN-prepared nurses also have lower patient mortality rates and statistically offer improved levels of care.
Even when it comes to a BSN, you have options. Some options should be easy choices. If you already have an undergraduate degree, especially in a STEM field, and are looking to become a nurse, then always choose the accelerated bachelor of science degree. This way, you can fast-track through the BSN by simply transferring credits you already have. Instead of the full BSN, you can finish and become a qualified nurse in around 15 months.
Becoming an APRN: The Options
Where the big options come into play is in the next stage. There are many different MSN and post-graduate qualifications out there that will have huge implications for your career. While you can transition into a new specialization with a post-graduate certificate, these are not short nor cheap programs to complete.
Choosing the right program from the start can feel incredibly daunting. Add in the fact that new roles and opportunities are being created every year to keep up with new healthcare technology and the ever-changing needs within the healthcare sector, and it can feel impossible to choose correctly from the start.
The good news is that while you cannot get a 100% career choice that will lead you to the perfect job, there are steps that you can take that will help you to get into the right field. Giving yourself time is crucial. Use that time to work with different units to find the area of medicine and care that you are most passionate about.
Doing this may even help you fulfill certain MSN requirements. To become a midwife, for example, many MSN programs require you to have worked on a mother-baby unit or equivalent for a certain period of time.
There are a few routes to consider as well.
The Master of Science in Nursing
For most of you, you will want to search and find the right MSN for your goals. Unlike the BSN, which covers the same information to create a foundation of knowledge for you, the MSN is specialized. Know the degree options and, most importantly, what roles or work you can get with that degree.
The Integrated Master’s Program
There are some master’s programs that allow you to work towards a doctorate. These BSN to DNP degrees don’t mean you skip your master’s, just that you earn the master’s degree along the way. If your goal is to earn a DNP, become a leader in nursing, or start your own clinic, this can be a direct approach towards earning your education qualifications all at once.
Furthering Your Qualifications: The Options
The MSN is not the highest level of qualification that a nurse can earn. You can earn a PhD, an EdD, or a DNP, or you can expand your MSN qualification with a post-graduate certificate. These options allow you to enter new avenues like academia, research, and leadership. While technically you will be a doctor once you earn the PhD or DNP, you will need to clarify for patients that you are a doctorate nurse, not a medical doctor.
A PhD or EdD
Earning a PhD or EdD is a great option if you are interested in working in education later down the line. Working to educate the next generation of nurses is an excellent career choice, and it comes with a great work/life balance.
A DNP
You do not need a DNP to become an APRN. The DNP does not technically open up more roles, but it will help you stand out when it comes to more specialized roles. Think of the DNP as the MBA of nursing. It is ideal for those looking to become a director of nursing or even those interested in opening their own clinic if their state offers autonomous practice for APRNs.
The Post-Graduate Certificate
If you already have an MSN and want to expand your skillset into a new field or get started in a new role, then forget the full MSN and instead choose a post-graduate certificate. These certificates build off of the base courses required in every MSN and focus specifically on the courses and credits that qualify you to work in this new role.
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