Definitions of “nontraditional students” vary widely, but generally include adults 25 or older who are going to college for the first time or returning to college for a second degree. However, nontraditional nursing students are a more complex category.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, numerous characteristics could classify a student as nontraditional, including the following:
- Attending school part time
- Being a single caregiver
- Being employed full time
- Being “independent” (for financial aid purposes)
- Delaying college enrollment after high school
- Having one or more dependents
- Not having a traditional high school diploma
In general, an increasing percentage of all undergraduates have at least one nontraditional, or “post-traditional” characteristic. For instance, Lumina reports that 34% of today’s college students are 25 or older, 80% work while in school and 44% are financially independent from their parents. Nursing students often share many of these characteristics, working while in school being a prime example. For these nontraditional students, the flexibility of convenient options like the online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program from The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) can be critical to earning a career-advancing degree.
An Educational Path for Career Changers
One type of nontraditional nursing student is a working professional looking for a career change. Several factors draw people to nursing as a second career. Some people are looking for a way to help others, and they may feel a calling to nursing. Some seek the intellectual challenge. Some see nursing as a flexible, good-paying career with many employment options.
Second-career students have real-world experience that will help them succeed in a nursing career. These people often already have a college degree and may seek nursing programs that accept some of their previous academic credits.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), “The typical second-degree nursing student is motivated, older, and has higher academic expectations than traditional entry-level nursing students. Accelerated students excel in class and are eager to gain clinical experiences. Faculty find them to be excellent learners who are not afraid to challenge their instructors.”
The Accessibility of Online Education
For nontraditional nursing students with personal or professional responsibilities, an accelerated, online BSN program is a flexible and convenient option. Students can choose from a variety of programs and study on a schedule that fits their lives.
Choosing an online nursing program requires careful consideration. Factors prospective nursing students need to consider include the following:
- Is the program accredited? Does the program have a good reputation?
- How much credit is available for previous college coursework?
- What are the course formats — pre-recorded learning modules, streaming lectures, online textbooks, etc. — and how can students communicate with instructors?
- How much technical support does the program provide?
- How long can you take to complete the program? Is the curriculum on a fixed schedule or can students work through it at their own pace?
- Does the program offer classes in your area of interest?
- What is the program’s graduation rate and NCLEX pass rate?
- What are the clinical requirements?
- What are the costs and payment options?
Finding a program that meets one’s needs and preferences in terms of factors like academics, flexibility, cost, program duration and delivery format can open the doors to advancing or pursuing a second career as a nurse. The modern-day nontraditional student can leverage their life- and work-experience to propel them to excel in their new academic pursuit and beyond.
Learn more about UTA’s online BSN program.
