Nursing Ideal for Second Degree

Many graduates in non-nursing disciplines have found that an added major in nursing creates an ideal opportunity for a rewarding career in medicine.

The Concordia nursing program welcomes graduates with baccalaureate degrees who have chosen to return to college to pursue a new major.

The common bond these students share at Concordia is a program that gives them the chance to return to school and earn entry into a much in-demand career. Many graduates entered the workforce after completing their original major -- some found jobs in their chosen field while others did not. Some found unfulfilling jobs.

“Our accelerated nursing program is a way to obtain a fulfilling career,” says Dr. Polly Kloster, chair of the nursing department. “There are sharply increasing workforce demands in nursing today and our program is a way to fill these needs, which can be financially advantageous for people.”

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the size of the nursing workforce to increase by 22 percent in the next six years, resulting in more than a half million new registered nurse positions. But despite that rosy employment outlook, the current shortage of nurses will continue to grow.

A student who has successfully earned a bachelor’s degree in another discipline and met all general education and prerequisite course requirements can apply for the accelerated nursing major. Students will complete course work for the program in 18 months from May through December of the following year. In the accelerated nursing program, students are able to entirely focus only on course work in the nursing major and complete 900 hours of clinical requirements.

“It is exciting to see how they blend their previous degree into a nursing major,” says Kloster. “We have had students with previous baccalaureate degrees in music, exercise science, biology, chemistry and communications, just to name a few.”

Advantages of the second degree option at Concordia include:

  • Face-to-face classroom instruction and simulation labs for clinical preparation
  • Clinical experience opportunities in pediatrics and community health at the Concordia Language Villages
  • Completion of training as health and fitness facilitators for faith communities
  • Opportunities to study abroad while engaging in clinical service work.

Information For:

current students
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alumni		 high school students
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