Healthcare can be one of the most rewarding and accessible career paths for parents. Many people are surprised by how flexible and accommodating the career path can be. Difficult though nursing is, it has several advantages over other forms of traditional employment. Nurses typically work three days a week, they often have the ability to set their own schedule, and they have so many different certification options that there is never a shortage of ways to apply their skills.
That said, there are certain things you should be aware of if you’re thinking of returning to school as a parent to become a nurse. In this article, we take a comprehensive look at everything an aspiring RN needs to know about the training involved.
What Credentials Do You Need to Become a Nurse?
Nurses all have a college degree, though the type will depend on the individual. Technically, you can get into the profession with an associate’s level education. ASN degrees take two years to acquire and can be completed at many community colleges, making it the most affordable and sometimes the fastest way to become a nurse. If you have no college education whatsoever and you don’t want a four-year timeline that would come with a BSN, finding an associate’s level program is the fastest way to get you in nurses’ scrubs.
ASN recipients are a little more limited in the scope of their responsibilities and in their career trajectory, but if you wind up enjoying the profession, you can always go back and add the BSN requirements, sometimes with as little as a year invested in additional training to make matters even better. Many ASNs who go on to get their bachelor’s degree will do so with the benefit of employer-assisted tuition.
If you do have a college degree, your options are a little more expansive. A common method for degree holders is to choose an accelerated program. Accelerated degrees can be completed in as little as a year, including clinical rotations.
Accelerated programs do require almost a full-time commitment, but it is a fast way into the profession for people who want their credential as quickly as possible.
On the other hand, you can also choose certification-only. Certification-only routes are good for degree holders who want to pivot into nursing but can’t commit to being a full-time student. In this case, you work only on your nursing education requirements. But you do so at your own pace. If you want to take one class a semester for three years or so, you can do it.
The diversity of options helps make nursing careers a little more accessible to the many different types of parents who might want to consider them. If you are working another job or have young children, depending on you at home, you might consider a slower credentialing process. On the other hand, if you’re ready to get started yesterday, accelerated options are a great way to get there quicker.
You Can Get a Nursing Degree Online
Many people are surprised to learn that you can complete the majority of your nursing education requirements from the comfort of your home. Online learning modules are particularly beneficial for busy parents who hardly have enough time to complete their schoolwork, let alone factor in a 30-minute commute to school every day. Some online learning modules even feature pre-recorded lectures and flexible assignment dates that allow you to work when and where it is convenient for you.
As a parent, your schedule probably rarely looks the same from week to week. These flexible learning options make it easier to integrate education into your lifestyle without needing to miss school plays, soccer games, and other precious moments in your children’s lives. You will still need to complete clinical rotations. However, the ultimate experience is about as flexible as you can ever hope to get.
Passing the NCLEX
The NCLEX is a final exam that all people wanting to work in a hospital will need to take before they can begin their career.
The NCLEX is a standardized test that covers all of your nursing education. Intimidating though it is, the majority of people do pass. It just requires careful preparation.
Spend a good month refreshing your knowledge and even taking practice exams or leaning on the services of a tutor before you take your test.
Exhausting and undesirable though this level of preparation may feel, it’s the surest way to guarantee a passing result.
Beyond Basic Nursing Certification
It’s also possible to get certified as an advanced practice nurse with relative ease, even if you are entirely new to the profession.
There are certain degree pathways that allow you to lump your undergraduate and graduate studies into a two- to three-year package.
You’ll still do the nurse practitioner clinical rotations requirements, but for your investment of time and money, you’ll wind up with a higher-paying career.
Right out of the gate, nurse practitioners can make more than $100,000 per year with their starting salaries. They also have higher levels of freedom compared to regular RNs.
We Know. It Sounds Like a Lot
It’s true that the path towards a career in nursing will look long at the start. The reality, though, is that despite any obstacles, it’s actually one of the more flexible pivot options for parents who are looking for the next stage of their professional lives.
Whether you already have a college degree or you’re starting from the very beginning of higher education, there are appealing routes available.
Find out what options there are in your community, and consider also the value of online learning. With so many pathways, it’s possible for almost anyone to find something that makes sense for them.
Remember also that there is no priority on finishing quickly, tempting though it might feel to get done as soon as you can. It’s ultimately more important to finish well.
Choose a program you can complete and follow through with it. At the end of the day, that’s really all it takes to become a nurse.
