Are you wondering, “Can you become a nurse with a biology degree?” With the help of Madonna’s ABSN program, the answer is yes. Your previous credits will help you make the change from a biology degree to nursing smoothly and begin a fulfilling career in as few as 16 months.
Even with the best intentions heading into college, some students major in biology only to later change their mind about their career path. If you find yourself in this situation, we have a perfect option for you — make the switch from biology to nursing through Madonna University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program in metro Detroit.
Our innovative, accelerated nursing program in metro Detroit incorporates online learning, onsite labs, and in-hospital clinical rotations so you can turn your bachelor’s degree in biology to nursing in as few as 16 months. Want to learn more? Here are the four steps of how to become a nurse with a biology degree.
1. Find the Right Program
To get the most out of your biology degree, you’ll need to find a program that can be tailored to degree holders. You’ll need a program that accepts the credits you’ve already earned and applies them to your nursing school requirements. Since you’ve already put years into earning your biology degree, chances are you’ll also be seeking out a program that allows you to enter a career on a faster timeline.
The Madonna ABSN program checks all those boxes — and more. Our ABSN program helps you begin your nursing coursework faster, and our accelerated curriculum which blends online coursework with in-person learning can be completed in as few as 16 months.
Through our Accelerated BSN program, you can connect with patients within the program's first semester in clinical rotations. During your clinical rotations in diverse areas of nursing practice, you’ll connect the dots and see how biology plays a major role in direct patient care.
Additionally, our program offers three start dates each year (January, May, and August), so there is no need to feel rushed during the admissions process.
2. Speak with an Admissions Representative
Your assigned representative will guide you through the admissions process every step of the way. They’ll work hard to ensure that once you meet the admissions requirements you are placed in the program ASAP. Your representative will ensure our program is a good fit for you, and help you map out your goals for your nursing career. After earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, you are likely to be sought after by employers for years to come.
BSN Nurses Are Wanted
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the healthcare industry is expected to drive our nation’s employment growth through 2030 by adding close to 3.3 million new jobs, accounting for the fastest projected job growth of any sector. These jobs will replace retiring nurses and offer new nurses the opportunity to address the ever-evolving demands of healthcare.
Your admissions representative will help to ensure you are meeting application deadlines, help you gather all the needed materials, and ensure that your previous degree credits are put to good use. They will be your point of contact when it comes to transferring your biology degree to nursing as they are most knowledgeable about credit transfers.
3. Find Out Which Prerequisites You’ll Need to Complete
Compared to most prospective accelerated BSN students, your bachelor’s degree in biology can give you a competitive edge when getting started. This is because the courses you’ve already taken may satisfy many of the ABSN prerequisites. As we mentioned, your admissions representative will help you identify if your past college credits are transferable. Most students who have a background in biology are eligible to bypass the science-based prerequisites such as microbiology and anatomy & physiology, as these areas were likely already covered in your educational background.
Learn more about The Prerequisites for Accelerated Nursing School You Need.
4. Apply to the Madonna ABSN Program
Once you’ve spoken with your admissions representative, they’ll direct you to fill out an application. You can complete the ABSN program application online and submit:
- All official transcripts from the college or university you previously attended.
- A letter of intent to the College of Nursing & Health.
- Complete or demonstrate expected completion of all prerequisite courses.
From there, you’ll await an admissions decision and choose your target start date.
Why Switch from a Biology Degree to Nursing
If you have graduated with a biology degree and are feeling a lack of direction, nursing provides ample opportunity to utilize the knowledge you have learned while having a tangible impact on the world. You don’t have to give up the time and energy you spent on your previous degree to start pursuing something new.
With the Madonna ABSN program, you can put your degree to practice by becoming a nurse in as few as 16 months.
How a Biology Degree Applies to Nursing
Biology is an integral part of the healthcare field. You may have originally wanted to apply to medical school or work in a lab upon graduating. There is a reason why nurses take many of the same prerequisites that you have already taken in your biology major. You will be using much of the same knowledge as a nurse.
As a nursing student, you will use biology to:
- Identify genetic factors that may affect patients.
- Compare/contrast treatment options based on body composition and family history.
- Analyze the physiology of patients to help provide them accurate and in-depth care.
Why Choose the ABSN Program
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nurses (AACN), nurse leaders from Magnet hospitals, federal agencies, leading nursing organizations, healthcare foundations, and minority nurse advocacy groups all recognize the unique value that baccalaureate-prepared nurses bring to the practice setting.
Through our ABSN program, you will receive an education steeped in leadership, critical thinking, healthcare policy, advocacy, and communication. Having this wealth of knowledge under your belt can open doors to promotions, more responsibility, specialization, and greater job satisfaction.
Career Path
Given the nation’s nursing shortage, there are more registered nurse openings at healthcare facilities across the country, specifically in Michigan.
Nurse leaders are taking a stand and advocating for a rise in the number of BSN nurses in all clinical settings, as patient care becomes more complex. This is because they believe that education improves the quality of patient outcomes. You can be a part of that improvement, and your biology degree puts you in a unique position to do so.
As soon as you complete Madonna’s Accelerated BSN program, you’ll not only be prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN® exam but you’ll enter the workforce as a confident, practice-ready registered nurse. Additionally, with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, you’ll have diverse career opportunities in the hospital and beyond the bedside.
Why Is Having a BSN in Nursing Important? It Offers Opportunity. Learn more in our recent blog post.
Go from Biology Degree to Nursing Today!
Your biology degree has already provided you with a fundamental base for your nursing curriculum, so now that you have answered, “can you become a nurse with a biology degree,” what are you waiting for? Through Madonna University’s Accelerated BSN program, you can earn your BSN in as few as 16 months.
If you’re ready to put your hard-earned biology degree to new use, get started by contacting an admissions representative today.