Degrees that Easily Transition to Nursing

Making the career change to nursing can be a rewarding experience, and a previous bachelor’s degree may help you reach that goal sooner. The nursing field embraces people of all educational backgrounds who want to make a difference in the lives of others and in the medical field. Nursing is a multifaceted job in which you will need to be knowledgeable, quick-thinking, compassionate, and possess strong interpersonal skills.

With Mercer University’s Second Degree Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) track, you can apply your previous bachelor’s degree toward a nursing education and graduate with your nursing degree in as few as 12 months.

No previous medical experience is required to begin your journey. Many ABSN students often have very diverse educational experiences. Here are just a few examples of degree tracks that provide a strong foundation for nursing.

Psychology

If you have a degree in psychology, you have an understanding of the human mind and the motivations behind different types of behavior. You have studied the different parts of the brain, their functions, and illnesses that can affect them. You may have learned how to treat some of these illnesses as well.

In nursing you will work with others daily, cooperating with your nursing team members and assisting patients. Familiarity with how your patients think and behave will help you best adapt to their needs and challenges. If psychology is still something you would like to focus on in your nursing career, you might consider working in a psychiatric facility or ward. In these settings, you will still be able to care for patients with mental illnesses and disabilities.

Human Development

Having a degree in human development provides you with a doorway to many careers, including nursing in particular. You have a strong understanding of how people progress through the various stages of life, from infancy to old age. You have also learned about the biology of humans during their lifespan and how this manifests in their behavior and cultural patterns, all of which is vital knowledge in the nursing field.

Patients in different age groups have drastically different needs. For example, the same symptoms can mean very different things in a child versus an adult. As a nurse, a background in human development will provide you with the ability to discern these differences and know how to provide individualized care. If you are especially interested in a certain age group, you can even pursue a nursing specialty in that area.

Sociology

Sociology is a key component of nursing because everything that happens in a medical setting is interpersonal. Nurses work as a team with other nurses and physicians to provide patients with the best possible outcomes and ensure that things run smoothly.

You also will need to communicate information to patients concisely and compassionately. This can often be difficult since the news is not always good. Having a background in sociology can help inform a better understanding of others’ perspectives and behaviors, making your interactions as productive as possible.

Education

If you previously earned a degree in education, you probably have a passion for working with children and adolescents. Maybe you spent time in the classroom and decided you wanted to serve in a different way. Compassion and a willingness to help others are also key traits for nurses.

Whether you choose to work in a hospital pediatric ward, family care facility, or another nursing setting, there is a place for you. Attending nursing school has much in common with pursuing a degree in education. You will not only complete coursework but also spend time in clinical rotations, gaining practical nursing experience similar to how you gained experience in your teaching practicum. If you love working with children and are looking for a career in which you can have a powerful impact, nursing might be the right fit for you.

Kinesiology

If you have a degree in kinesiology, you have already dabbled in the medical field. In fact, your expertise on how the body functions and moves will be helpful in a career as a nurse. Perhaps in your classes, you discovered that you are interested in patient care and would like to apply what you have learned to a degree in nursing.

Since you have already studied topics like biology, chemistry, and anatomy, you have a leg up in starting an ABSN track. You already know how to study for these types of classes, and your previous degree may even have transferrable prerequisite credits. A degree in kinesiology is a perfect starting point to make a career change to nursing.

Exercise Physiology

Those with a degree in exercise physiology often find themselves working with individuals who have chronic diseases, are recovering from injury, or are just trying to improve their general health. If you entered the field and discovered a passion for patient care, the transition to a nursing profession will be a smooth one.

As someone with a background in exercise physiology, you have already gained experience working with and treating patients and addressing their goals and needs. This can easily translate to a nursing career, in which you will focus on treatment and set wellness as the primary goal. In addition, you may have previous credits, such as anatomy and physiology, that qualify as prerequisites in Mercer’s ABSN track.

Why Choose an Accelerated Nursing Track

At Mercer University, you can quickly transition to nursing without sacrificing quality education. Our curriculum contains interactive online coursework, simulation labs at our Atlanta ABSN learning site, and clinical rotations at nearby medical facilities.

You can find out how to apply your previous degree to nursing by contacting an enrollment counselor today who will help you create a plan to get started.