The COVID-19 pandemic is shining a light on the nursing profession. Some people are even switching careers and are now studying to become a nurse.
Edinboro University offers an accelerated course of study for a bachelor’s degree in nursing. That particular bachelor’s degree normally takes three years to obtain. At Edinboro, some students can earn that degree in three semesters.
Getting the bachelor’s degree in nursing in just three semesters is not easy. It's a lot of work. It's an achievement to even be accepted into the class. Only 20 students are accepted per graduating class. Each student must have a bachelor’s degree in another field. The students had to do well in chemistry and statistics before they could apply. They go through an intensive interview in order for instructors to determine if each student can handle the work load.
It's quite a sacrifice but these students really want to become nurses.
"Most of them have gone through their first career path and their first educational experience and realized it just wasn't feeling that right. They have this compassion for nursing and we're fortunate to get them in our program,” says Elizabeth Farbotnik, Assistant Professor.
Katelyn Miles is enrolled in the accelerated course of study. Her degree is in psychology. She was prepared to become a mental health counselor.
Watching news stories about nurses on the front lines of the pandemic made Katelyn want to be a nurse even more.
Katelyn’s class is scheduled to graduate in the fall. The university is now accepting applications for the next class of accelerated nursing students.