How do you get a degree in nursing

What if you don’t have any nursing experience?

Have you ever felt drawn to a career that truly makes a difference? One where your skills and compassion can improve lives every day? Nursing is more than a profession — it’s a calling to provide care, connection, and healing.

With a growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals, nursing offers a stable and rewarding career path. Whether you’re exploring a second career in nursing or starting college fresh, earning a nursing degree can open doors to a field where your work is needed and valued. Nurses play a vital role in improving patient outcomes, advocating for those in need, and shaping the future of healthcare.

So, how do you get started? What if you’re planning a career change to nursing and don’t have any prior healthcare experience? Let’s explore how you can take the first step toward becoming a nurse.

Why get a degree in nursing?

• Nursing will always be an essential function within the healthcare field
• Indispensable pillar of the community
• Variety in both levels of education and day-to-day activities
• High average salary and great benefits
• Flexible and fast-track options for those explore how to earn a degree in nursing

St. Scholastica offers several nursing degree pathways to help you explore a new career. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that an average of over 194,000 registered nurse positions will open year over year for the next decade at least. And, with an average annual salary of about $95k, a nursing degree also proves to be a financially smart career decision.

Explore a degree in nursing

From the humanities to the hard sciences, many nurses start in a variety of fields and get degrees unrelated to nursing. Do you worry that you didn’t take any prerequisite courses for nursing? Or that your degree won’t cut it? If you’re pursuing nursing with a bachelor’s degree in another field, you’re not alone. There are nursing programs without prerequisites designed for people just like you. The first requirement is a desire to serve, protect, and provide aid. Beyond that, becoming a nurse may be easier than you think.

Nursing degree pathways: find the right fit for you

No matter where in your education journey you are starting, St. Scholastica offers a nursing degree path that fits your background and career goals.

No nursing background

Considering a career change to nursing? If you have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field, there are options to transition into nursing through our accelerated pathways. No matter the industry from which you’ve gained experience, transitioning to nursing allows you to apply your existing skills — such as problem-solving, communication, and leadership — in a way that directly improves patient care.

This is ideal for individuals exploring a second career in nursing, especially those wanting to enter the field quickly.

If you’re ready for a career that blends compassion with professional growth, we offer programs designed to help you make the switch.

Nursing Assistant Certification – Nursing assistants are an integral part of the nursing care team. This training provides a quick entry point into patient care. This entry-level role is a great choice if you’re wondering how to become a nurse fast and start gaining experience.

Post-Baccalaureate Nursing (PBN) – Our PBN program is designed for career changers with a previous bachelor’s degree who want to become registered nurses (RNs). This is perfect for those with a degree in another field looking for a structured career change to nursing. This hybrid program is offered online with occasional on-campus skills work in Duluth or St. Cloud, MN.

Licensed nurses seeking career advancement

If you’re already a licensed nurse and looking to expand your expertise, increase your earning potential, or step into leadership and advanced practice roles, we offer a variety of programs designed to fit your schedule and career aspirations. Whether you want to deepen your clinical knowledge, specialize in a high-demand area, or move into leadership or teaching positions, these flexible pathways can help you achieve your goals.

RN to BS in Nursing – This program is for registered nurses (RNs) looking to advance to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Our fully online RNBS program allows you to continue working while advancing your education to open doors for more leadership positions, specialized nursing roles, and higher salaries.

BS to DNP – A direct pathway for BSN-prepared nurses to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). This program equips you with advanced clinical skills, leadership training and specialized care opportunities. Specializations include:

• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) – Provide primary care to individuals and families from infancy to adulthood
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) – Specialize in caring for adults with complex, acute and chronic conditions in a variety of settings
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) – Address the growing need for mental health care by diagnosing and treating patients with mental health disorders

Post-Graduate DNP – Designed for nurses with a master’s degree who want to earn a terminal clinical degree, Doctor of Nursing Practice. This program strengthens leadership skills, prepares you for executive-level roles, and allows you to influence healthcare policy and practice.

Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates – If you’re a practicing nurse looking to expand your expertise, post-graduate certificates allow you to specialize in areas like nurse education, leadership or advanced practice nursing without committing to a full degree program.

With multiple pathways and flexible learning options, you can find the right program to match your experience and career aspirations.

Next steps for starting or advancing your career in nursing

The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth and St. Cloud, MN has provided over a century of nursing education and has graduated more than 8,200 nurses since 1912. St. Scholastica specializes in offering multiple levels of degrees and career entry points for future and current nurses of any experience or degree level. Whether you’re planning a second career in nursing or advancing an existing one, St. Scholastica empowers you to reach the next level of success in the most flexible way possible.

Begin, advance, or complete your nursing career at The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, St. Cloud, or online. Discover more about their nursing programs.