Becoming a nurse with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree is possible with an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing track. An ABSN track allows you to leverage your prior college education and earn a nursing degree in as few as 16 months after completing the prerequisites.
Switching careers is not uncommon. Healthcare is a popular field to switch to, no matter your current academic background and career experience. In fact, becoming a nurse with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree is entirely possible.
The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) track at Concordia University Texas offers you the opportunity to transition from a non-nursing bachelor’s to a BSN sooner than you might think. You can leverage your previous college credits to earn a BSN in as few as 16 months upon successful completion of any needed prerequisite courses.
While you’re thinking about switching careers, consider all available career pathways to nursing and research how to earn your nursing degree. You’ll also need to take a closer look at the admission requirements for nursing degree programs.
Can You Become a Nurse with a Non-Nursing Degree?
It’s definitely possible to transition into nursing despite having a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. In fact, the Concordia Texas ABSN track is designed especially for career switchers who have a non-nursing academic background and want to become nurses.
Individuals who already have a completed degree or at least 60 non-nursing college credits may be eligible to apply to the ABSN track at Concordia Texas. Since this degree track eliminates general education from the curriculum and focuses solely on nursing, it enables students to graduate with a nursing degree faster than a traditional BSN track.
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Pathways to Becoming a Nurse With a Non-Nursing Bachelor’s Degree
The first step is choosing the right nursing degree for non-nursing graduates. One option is an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), which generally takes about two years to complete. This degree would qualify you to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination and obtain a license as a registered nurse (RN).
Unfortunately, the ADN might not be the best choice for you, as it can limit your employment opportunities. Employers generally prefer to hire BSN-prepared nurses because, compared to ADN-prepared nurses, they produce better patient outcomes. In addition, an ADN doesn’t allow you to pursue graduate-level nursing education in preparation for career advancement.
Instead, consider the alternative pathway toward becoming a nurse with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree: the ABSN track. You’ll be able to graduate in as few as 16 months after completing prerequisites, and you’ll have a high-quality degree that provides a foundation for further nursing education at the graduate level.
What Is a Second Degree Nursing Program?
A second degree nursing program is for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree. The ABSN track at Concordia Texas allows individuals with a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree to obtain a BSN on an accelerated timeline.
At Concordia Texas, our ABSN track is open to applicants who have a completed degree and transfer applicants with a minimum of 60 college credits. In other words, it’s not strictly necessary to have a completed degree to apply to our degree track.
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How Long Does It Take to Earn a Nursing Degree for Non-Nursing Graduates?
Traditional BSN programs take four years to complete, while the length of ABSN tracks vary depending on the school. At Concordia Texas, you can graduate in as few as 16 months; however, this does not include the time needed to complete any required prerequisites. In addition, after graduation, you’ll need to pass the NCLEX-RN before obtaining your nursing license.
Do You Need Healthcare Experience to Apply?
You do not need any prior healthcare experience to apply to the accelerated BSN track at Concordia Texas. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and walks of life.
Although you don’t need healthcare experience, you do need to meet the admission requirements. They are as follows:
- Transfer applicants: at least 60 non-nursing college credits, cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Second-degree students: non-nursing bachelor’s degree, cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS VI): Must be taken within three years of enrollment to the nursing program and receive a score of 67% or higher (no more than two attempts are allowed within a year to achieve minimum score)
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in prerequisite natural science courses
- Completion of each prerequisite course with a “C” grade or higher
Additionally, your dedicated admissions counselor will review your transcripts to determine which prerequisite courses you may need to take. If you’re accepted, you’ll need to complete other requirements, such as a criminal background check, drug screening, and proof of immunizations.
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An ABSN Track is the Fastest Way to Transition from a Non-Nursing Degree to a BSN
If you’re interested in leveraging your non-nursing bachelor’s toward a nursing degree, the ABSN track is indeed the fastest route to take. It’s important to understand, however, that the pace is intense. Since it’s an accelerated track, you must be prepared to be a full-time student. In fact, many nursing students put in more than 40-hour weeks.
Knowing what to expect from nursing school can be helpful as you transition from a non-nursing degree to a BSN.
Our accelerated BSN track comprises 63 credit hours over four 16-week semesters and includes concepts such as cultural diversity, spiritual care, ethics, and evidence-based practice. The curriculum follows a blended learning model made of three main components: online coursework, hands-on nursing skills and simulation labs, and in-person clinical rotations.
Our online nursing courses focus on nursing theory and fundamentals. With our accelerated nursing track, you don’t have to be present in a classroom or study at a specific time. You have the freedom to complete your nursing theory coursework anywhere you like at the time of day that’s best for you, provided you meet all deadlines.
The coursework will cover topics in adult health, pharmacology, community health, and family nursing.
Learn more about the advantages of choosing an online-based nursing track in Texas.
You’ll also complete hands-on skills and simulation labs, which mimic real clinical environments. These labs allow you to apply the nursing concepts you’ve learned from the coursework.
Concordia University Texas partners with healthcare facilities in the greater Austin and Dallas areas to provide clinical placements, during which students work with registered nurses and nursing faculty to provide hands-on patient care under supervision.
Clinical experiences provide students with exposure to many specialties, such as:
- Adult Health
- Global/Community Health
- Intensive Care
- Newborn and NICU
- Pediatrics
Learn more about why clinical placements are important for your nursing education.
Combined, all these learning components can help prepare you to become a practice-ready nurse and launch your new career.
Transition to the Nursing Field with Concordia Texas
Concordia University Texas is here to help you achieve your career goals. If you have at least 60 non-nursing college credits or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you may be eligible for the Accelerated BSN track at Concordia Texas. Our faith-based, accredited nursing school is committed to supporting the progress of each student.
If you’re ready to take the next step toward your future in nursing, contact our admissions counselors today.