Pursuing multiple bachelor’s degrees in nursing may sound unconventional, but nurses can strategically leverage education programs to specialize and advance their careers. While a standard BSN will ensure a career in the hospital, it’s through specialized certifications that so many nurses gain the ability to focus on what they care about the most.

Not only do continuing education opportunities expand your qualifications, but they can also make you more eligible for promotions and salary increases. In this article, we take a look at how you can improve your resume through education as a nurse.

Can You Earn Multiple Bachelor’s Degrees in Nursing?

Not really. There is basically only one recognized undergraduate path toward nursing. You go in as a freshman, complete a four-year program, and graduate with a BSN. From there, you take the NCLEX and then achieve RN status.

The only real deviation comes in the form of accelerated programs called Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN). These are courses tailored to the needs of people who have already completed a college degree.

They allow you to get your BSN quicker because you don’t have to worry about all of the gen-eds and other academic requirements that might otherwise slow down program completion. These are handy programs for people trying to make a quick pivot. However, they are usually very time-consuming and might not be ideal for people already working.

You can alternatively seek your nursing credentials through a certification-only program. This lets you take only nursing classes–for the most part–but in a slower-paced format.

Basically, you’re taking the same nursing classes as any other undergraduate student. You enter the program with your existing college resume on record and then fill in whatever gaps would be required to add a nursing major. This option is better suited to working people, but it can take years to complete.

These options all lead to the same destination: becoming a Registered Nurse with a BSN. The main differences lie in the timeline and structure of the programs, allowing students to choose the path that best fits their existing education and life circumstances.

Specialized Certification Programs

While you can’t get multiple bachelor’s degrees in nursing, you can increase your qualifications through certifications. Here are some specialized nursing roles that require additional certification:

• Forensic Nurse Examiner – These specialists work with victims of violence and trauma, collecting evidence and providing expert testimony in court cases. Certification requires specialized training in evidence collection, documentation, and legal procedures, as well as clinical experience in trauma care.
• Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist – These nurses help patients manage their diabetes through education, lifestyle modification, and treatment planning. They work closely with physicians to develop comprehensive care strategies and teach patients self-management skills.
• Cardiac Vascular Nurse – These specialists focus on treating patients with heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions. Certification requires extensive experience in cardiac care units and comprehensive knowledge of heart disease, treatments, and rehabilitation protocols.
• Pain Management Nurse – These specialists help patients manage chronic and acute pain conditions. They must understand various pain management techniques, medications, and alternative therapies while working within strict protocols for controlled substances.
• Community Health Nurse – These specialists work in diverse settings such as schools, clinics, shelters, and public health organizations to provide education, preventive care, and direct medical services. CHNs assess community health needs, advocate for health equity, and collaborate with other professionals to implement programs addressing issues like vaccinations, disease prevention, maternal care, and chronic illness management.

These certification programs can be completed through various channels, including hospitals, professional nursing organizations, and accredited nursing schools. The length of these programs depends on the certification itself as well as your local requirements.

The nice thing about certification programs is that they can often be completed as you work within the field you are interested in. To take diabetes education as an example.

You might find a relevant opening and apply for it even before you’ve taken a single step toward certification. Because nursing shortages are so severe, there is a reasonable chance that you will be hired –under the provision that you begin working on certification immediately. Your employer will most likely cover any related expenses.

The actual certification process will mostly involve logging hours at your job, but you may also need to take classes and pass a test at the end. Once you complete your certification, you will be able to work on the job with minimal supervision.

Graduate Programs

Aside from certifications, the best way to advance your career in nursing is through graduate school. It’s through MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) programs that you can begin working as an advanced practice nurse.

Nurse Practitioners are becoming increasingly relevant in today’s job market. Often, their responsibilities are similar to those of a general practitioner. They see patients, perform diagnoses, and develop treatment plans with their patients. They also have the potential to earn a very good living, with their salary often hitting six figures. Their growing importance reflects both the increasing demand for healthcare services and ongoing efforts to address physician shortages in many areas.

Conclusion

Continuing education is a nursing requirement. Often, this takes the form of classes or seminars. Boring stuff that the hospital puts in front of you so that you can maintain your license. That’s fine and good. It can even be helpful. However, the opportunities become much more interesting when you take education into your own hands.

Here’s the question every nurse should ask themselves: What interests me the most?
Probably, you entered healthcare with a specific passion. BSN programs, unfortunately, often iron over those interests. It’s a very generalized curriculum. And of course, that’s appropriate. Hospitals need nurses with a very generalized skill set. While earning multiple bachelor’s degrees in nursing isn’t common, some nurses choose to pursue additional degrees in related fields to expand their expertise.

However, there are many rewarding opportunities out there for people who want to lean hard into a healthcare niche. Figure out what you love most about nursing, and then find a continuing education opportunity that allows you to immerse yourself in that interest.