Are you an experienced nurse who wants to get another degree? When you consider getting your second nursing degree, it’s natural to be concerned about the time and money required.
The nursing field can be rewarding but is constantly changing as new information and technology come to light. While completing your second degree may seem intimidating, the benefits of earning it far outweigh the downsides. Read on to learn more.
Career advancement opportunities
Gaining a second nursing degree will open up new opportunities for career advancement. You will be able to take on more leadership roles and enjoy increased earning potential by meeting the educational requirements for more demanding positions.
Plenty of second degree nursing programs are available if you decide to take on a second degree. For instance, Wilkes University offers an online ABSN designed for students from non-nursing fields. This program takes only 12 months, with opportunities for clinical placement.
The program leverages the core curriculum of your non-nursing degree, allowing you to apply what you’ve learned and work towards your goal. That way, you’re not wasting time taking prerequisites over again.
Facilitates an easier transition between specialties
It may seem like an unnecessary investment, but earning a second nursing degree can make transitioning between specialties much easier.
Having two degrees allows you to move into new fields without having to start all over again with the education process and is an excellent way to diversify your skillset.
For example, those who have earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing can work in several sub-specialties, including oncology, orthopedics, women’s healthcare or psychiatric care.
Marketability in the job market
In today’s job market, nurses with advanced degrees are more marketable and have tremendous earning potential. Earning a second degree in nursing may also increase your chances of being promoted or having the opportunity to work at more prestigious institutions.
You will be able to draw on your experience as a nurse and broaden your skillset by mastering new techniques and technologies that you weren’t privy to when you first started.
Organizations will see you as a valuable asset, giving you an edge over other nurses without an advanced degree.
Keeping up with trends
As healthcare has evolved, nursing education has followed suit. Nurses now have to keep up with new technologies and treatments that may not have been available when they started their careers.
When you get a second degree in nursing, you can learn about the most current research, equipment, procedures and medications relevant to your practice. Gaining this knowledge makes you more marketable as a nurse because you are well-versed in modern practices.
Wrapping up
Nursing is a rapidly changing field. As experts make more discoveries and technological advancements, the demands for nurses also change. The best way to prepare for this unpredictable future is to get your second nursing degree. Having two degrees can help ensure that you have the skills necessary to meet any challenge that comes your way.
