The nursing industry is ever-growing. Baby boomers are retiring, and the demand for quality healthcare continues to increase. The Bureau of Labor estimates that the need for nurses will grow up to 15% in the next few years.
Nursing students are in high demand, careers in the nursing field are abundant, and there could be a shortage of nurses in the future.
Projected Registered Nursing Shortages By State
Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) sets you up for a wide range of job opportunities. Not only will you find great jobs all across the country, but you can also use your degree as a foundation for other careers in the medical field.
So, what can you do with a nursing degree?
Pre-Nursing Program at STU
Current or future undergraduates who would like to pursue a career in the nursing field can enter the Pathway to Nursing program, or Pre-Nursing, at St. Thomas University. This unique undergraduate program allows admission to St. Thomas University with the understanding that you’ll be taking the prerequisites needed to then apply for the BSN program later on.
On-Campus Experience
You’ll meet other students interested in nursing when taking classes at STU in the Pre-Nursing program. These connections and the on-campus experiences that you’ll encounter will help you become a better student and show your dedication to St. Thomas University.
You’ll also have access to incredible faculty, staff, laboratories, and clinical experiences that offer a hands-on experience that you can only access as a traditional student on campus.
Priority For Nursing Program Admission
Students in the Pathways to BSN program at STU who also meet the minimum requirements receive priority for admission into the BSN program. Nursing schools are quite competitive and hard to get into. Completing this undergraduate program prepares students well in their interview and application process for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
Pre-Nursing Careers
While you are working towards acceptance into the Nursing Program at STU, these jobs get your foot in the door of the medical world with your pre-nursing education.
Nursing Assistant
Those students who want to enter the medical field can apply to become a nursing assistant. Also known as nursing aides, these professionals provide basic health care to patients and work alongside Registered Nurses and doctors.
Phlebotomy Technician
Labs and blood work are a vital component in the healthcare of patients. A phlebotomy technician helps draw blood and prepare samples for lab testing.
Monitor Technician
The second by second monitoring of patients within critical care and hospital units is an important job. Monitor technicians work in hospitals and care centers to help notice and call attention to issues that patients may have when it comes to their monitoring systems.
Home Health Aide
For those in the Pre-Nursing program who like to travel and focus more on dedicated care, a home health aide is a great option for work. These professionals often visit elderly patients at home to administer medication, prepare and serve nutritious meals, and help patients with bathing and grooming.
Bachelor of Science Nursing Program
This is the program that many pre-nursing students apply for when completing their undergraduate requirements at STU. Spots are limited in the BSN program, and enrollment is competitive. Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a key tool in what you can do with a nursing degree.
Hands-On Experience
Much of the BSN program at St. Thomas University involves clinical work where students get an up-close and personal look at the life of nursing. The hands-on experience in this program helps create learning environments that teach real-life nursing situations to best prepare you for the field of nursing.
Nursing Careers
Many of those graduates who complete the BSN program enter the nursing field prepared for a long career in the industry. While most become Registered Nurses, the opportunities abound in where you would like to work and what environments interest you most.
Those students graduating from St. Thomas University’s Nursing program usually enjoy a long career as a Registered Nurse. These students have fulfilled our requirements in our accredited nursing program through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Nurses who fulfill the needed requirements to become a Registered Nurse have many options to choose from when it comes to a career.
Choose Typical Work Environments
Registered Nurses work in a variety of medical environments. You could work in private practice and see a regular set of patients in the community. Registered Nurses can also work for larger hospital systems and work in hospitals that meet the needs of those critically ill. There are also job opportunities at retirement and nursing homes, as well.
Beyond the environment, nurses can also choose what kind of specialty they would like to work in. You could become a pediatric nurse if you love kids or a nurse in a dermatologist’s office if that interests you as well. Becoming a Registered Nurse is a common choice for those students pursuing a nursing degree at St. Thomas University.
Expand Your Horizon With Unusual Nursing Positions
Nurses are everywhere, and the demand for good nurses is high across the entire world. This results in plenty of non-traditional job opportunities for those nurses looking for adventure. As a nurse, you could work on a cruise ship, in a school, or even at a summer camp.
Traveling nurses are also quite lucrative careers that allow you to do what you love as well as see different parts of the country with nurse shortages. The demand for these unique nursing jobs is high and often come with excellent salaries, full benefits, and added bonuses.
RN to BSN Program at STU
This online opportunity allows current Registered Nurses to continue their education from the comfort of their own home or office. The RN to BSN program is great for working nurse professionals who want to learn more about leadership roles in the nursing field.
Online Education Adds Flexibility
Using St. Thomas University’s online platform allows you to have access to your coursework wherever you are. You can learn online and then apply your education directly to your daily job as a Registered Nurse. The ability to learn in a flexible environment is a key factor in the success of busy working professionals.
Accelerated Program Helps You Achieve Goals Quickly
In as little as 12 months, you could have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and better prepared for your current career field. Those Registered Nurses who complete this online coursework want to move up in their nursing careers and expand their horizons.
Careers Fields Available
Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing allows you to reach your career goals with these exciting options.
Nurse Supervisor
Those Registered Nurses who earn their Bachelor of Science degree through this online program can become a Nurse Supervisor. This position allows them to oversee a smaller group of nurses during a shift and is often called upon to help assist or answer questions from the nursing staff.
Assistant Director of Nursing
Natural leaders and organized professionals find that jobs as the Assistant Director of Nursing, or ADNS, is a perfect fit. These nurses manage the rest of the nursing staff and oversee large groups of nurses working together.
Further Areas of Study
A BSN degree from St. Thomas University also prepares you for further education should you choose to earn a higher degree. These advanced degrees result in better career outlook and opportunities.
Master of Science Family Nurse Practitioner
Earn your master’s degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner to help build your career. The students of this online program spend as little as 18 months earning their degrees. Becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner allows you to expand your patient base further and creates opportunities to work in rural locations that may not have an MD on regular staff.
Kickstart Your Nursing Career With St. Thomas University
There are plenty of options when it comes to what can you do with a nursing degree. Those students interested in the medical field will find many career opportunities post-graduation.
Whatever your current needs are, the different nursing programs offered by St. Thomas University can help you reach your career goals. Contact us today to talk with one of our friendly admissions counselors about earning a degree in nursing.
