Second-degree nursing programs in New York can be an excellent choice for individuals interested in switching careers to nursing. You may be eligible for second-degree nursing programs if you have a prior college degree or a minimum number of college credits in a non-nursing field.
There’s a lot to consider when applying to second-degree nursing programs. You’ll want to determine whether you’re an eligible candidate, what to expect and how long the program might take. You may also want to compare a few different second-degree nursing programs in New York to find the one that’s right for you.
When you choose to attend Utica University’s ABSN program, you can look forward to excellent student support resources, the opportunity to graduate on an accelerated timeline and highly dedicated instructors who will support your progress.
What Is a Second-Degree Nursing Program?
A second-degree nursing program confers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Nursing. It’s designed to allow students with prior non-nursing college education to graduate with a nursing degree in far less time than traditional bachelor’s degree programs. Some of these programs require applicants to hold a completed non-nursing undergraduate degree.
At Utica University, applicants may hold a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree or be eligible with a minimum of 65 college credits. It’s also possible to apply for a second-degree program with a completed associate degree.
Understanding Second-Degree Nursing Programs
Second-degree nursing programs in New York can be a great choice for many people who are dissatisfied with their current careers and need a change. These Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs are designed for nontraditional students, those who are heading back to school after spending some time in the workforce because they intend on switching careers to the nursing field. Prior college credits or a completed degree are a requirement for admission because, to graduate on an accelerated timeline, the student must have already met specific educational requirements. In the nursing program, the student will focus predominantly or solely on nursing-specific coursework, labs and experiential learning.
Why Choose Accelerated Second-Degree Nursing Programs in New York?
If you live in New York or are considering relocating to New York for nursing school, Utica University’s accelerated second-degree nursing program is a great choice. Utica University is a private school with a dedicated and prestigious nursing faculty who go above and beyond for our students.
The Utica University Department of Nursing has celebrated more than 20 years of successful student satisfaction, alumni achievement, and employer attainment. Responses from graduate and employer surveys conducted at one-year and five-year intervals post-graduation consistently reflect nearly 100% satisfaction with Utica University’s ability to educate nursing students for professional nursing practice.
In addition to earning a degree in nursing from an elite private institution, students in the accelerated nursing program also benefit from attending a school in central New York, where the cost of living is significantly lower than in metropolitan areas like New York City. Located in Syracuse or Albany, New York, students experience student life at Utica University and enjoy proximity to a city.
Relocating to central New York for nursing school often proves to be a positive experience for students who move permanently and those who relocate only for the time it takes to complete the program.
Explore three more reasons to move to central New York for nursing school.
Flexibility and Support in Accelerated Nursing Programs
An accelerated nursing program can offer considerable flexibility to students, given that online coursework brings greater convenience to education. In addition, at Utica University, we offer a wide range of support to our students, from their first contact with an admission representative to their graduation.
As a private institution, we strive to create the most positive experience for our future nurses. We help make the relocation process simpler for students, offer guidance on obtaining financial aid, and have staff who are always available for students who need help during any step of our program.
Benefits of Pursuing a Second Degree in Nursing
There are so many benefits to earning a second degree in nursing. You can look forward to:
- The opportunity to transition to a meaningful career in nursing
- A career that offers personal fulfillment
- Flexible learning options
- The ability to choose from a wide range of nursing specialties
- The potential to earn a graduate degree in nursing and pursue career advancement
What to Expect From an Accelerated Second-Degree Nursing Program
At Utica University’s accelerated nursing program, you can expect three main components: coursework, labs, and clinical rotations. Students take courses through our online e-learning management system. The lessons are interactive and are provided in video, audio, and scenario formats. Lessons can be reviewed repeatedly until the student fully understands the topic. This program component is the nursing theory foundation that will later be practiced in simulation and skills labs and clinical rotations.
The online portion of this program allows students to complete coursework when it fits into their schedule. However, this doesn’t mean they are not required to meet deadlines for readings, projects, quizzes, exams, and other assignments.
In the nursing labs, students learn to apply clinical skills in a controlled, risk-free environment by completing a variety of patient scenarios on high-tech medical manikins. The skills labs enable students to ask questions during the learning exercises and allow instructors to debrief students on their performance afterward.
The nursing simulation labs serve as a reality check for nursing students, letting them practice what they’ve learned and gain confidence in their nursing practice. In this environment, students can work closely with faculty to perform high-risk trauma scenarios without risking patient safety.
Clinical rotations for Syracuse students occur in various hospital settings in central New York, giving them access to the area’s top hospital systems. Similarly, students at our Albany location are placed in top local healthcare facilities. Students learn alongside practicing nurses in hands-on settings to care for actual patients.
Unlike some nursing programs, clinical rotations for Utica University students begin in the first semester of their course of study. As the program progresses, students are expected to use a broader range of skills during clinical rotations. Under the supervision of a licensed clinician, students gain experience in specialty areas that include obstetrics and pediatrics, acute and long-term care, and mental and behavioral health.
Deciding whether nursing school vs. medical school is right for you? Here are some factors to consider.
How Long Does an Accelerated Nursing Program Take?
The program is designed to be completed in as few as 16 months. This timeline assumes that you’ll successfully pass each learning component the first time you take it. This graduation timeline does not include any degree requirement courses you might need to take before starting the nursing program.
Admission Requirements for Accelerated Second-Degree Nursing Programs in NY
As previously mentioned, our New York program is a second-degree nursing program that can be completed in as few as 16 months of professional nursing study; however, degree requirement courses must be completed before beginning the nursing curriculum. The amount of time required to complete the program depends on how many degree requirement courses a student must take. The courses are science and math-based to prepare students for the accelerated nursing curriculum that will follow.
The required courses can be taken through our PREP program. Through PREP, students can take the courses entirely online (even those with labs) and seamlessly transfer credits. Plus, students who take courses through PREP are provisionally admitted into Utica University’s accelerated nursing program and can begin classes for their target start date if they meet all the program’s requirements.
In addition to taking degree-requirement courses, you can expect to fulfill other admission requirements. For example, you must demonstrate that you earned a prior bachelor’s degree, an associate degree, or a minimum of 65 credits from an accredited school. You must also demonstrate a previous GPA of at least 2.8.
Career Opportunities in New York for Second-Degree Nurses
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), New York is one of the top five states in the nation with the highest employment level of registered nurses, with 188,060 nurses as of May 2023. Plus, the BLS reports that RNs are enjoying a robust 6% job growth rate nationwide from 2023 through 2033. With a B.S. in Nursing from a second-degree program, you can pursue any number of nursing jobs across various nursing specialties.
You might also decide to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at some point. Either of these degrees would allow you to work toward career advancement as a nurse manager, nurse administrator or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).
Pursue Your Nursing Degree at Utica University
Are you ready to take advantage of all that Utica University has to offer? With exceptional student support and an accelerated timeline, Utica University can be an excellent choice for those interested in making a career switch to nursing.
Contact our admission representatives today to learn more about earning your second degree in nursing in Syracuse or Albany.
