In this article:
- Freelancing Gives You Flexibility But It Also Comes with Stress
- Using Your Freelance Schedule to Your Advantage
- Why Nursing Is a Smart Next Career
- Fast and Focused with the ABSN
- Building Your Future While Maintaining Your Present
It’s true, the world is absolutely in a gig economy, where you have the luxury to pick up as many jobs as you can manage, especially if you have some technical and digital skills. But is this really a luxury? Sure, it’s great to be able to chop and change as a freelancer, only picking the jobs that work for you in that moment. Especially if you can do them remotely and from the comfort of your own home, however, for some, the gig economy, whilst lovely, is quite tiring. The word ‘precarity’ comes to mind, where you’re never sure when your next job will come in or how it will pay. For those who feel this way, online studying might be a good option, as you can do it on the side while you continue to freelance. But you need to be smart and study something that is in demand. You guessed it, something stable like nursing.
This is where the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program comes in as it can help you transition into a completely new career in as little as 16 months, as long as you already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field. This gives you a fast path into one of the most trusted and in-demand professions in the country, without requiring four more years in school. Still considering it? Well, then it’s time to weigh up the options between freelancing and studying and give you some tips on how you can perhaps navigate both.
Freelancing Gives You Flexibility But It Also Comes with Stress
While freelancing gives you control over your schedule, the reality is that you carry all the responsibility. You juggle deadlines, hunt for clients and manage everything from billing to project delivery. You might feel burnt out if you constantly chase the next job or worry about when the next payment will arrive.
Still, the flexibility you have as a freelancer is an advantage if you want to pursue a career change. You have more freedom to block out study hours or rearrange your workload when you need to focus on coursework or clinical requirements. Instead of squeezing your life around a rigid work schedule, you can design your days around learning and preparing for a stronger future, which is pretty nifty, wouldn’t you agree?
Using Your Freelance Schedule to Your Advantage
Unlike a traditional 9-to-5 job, freelancing gives you more control over how you spend your time. That flexibility is valuable when you are earning a degree, especially one as demanding as nursing. While the workload of an ABSN program will be intense, having the freedom to shift projects or reduce your freelance hours during key parts of the program can make the process far more manageable.
You can:
- Study during slow work periods instead of wasting downtime
- Plan work projects around exam schedules
- Create a daily routine that splits work and studying
- Adjust your client load when coursework becomes heavier
- Learn at times of day when you focus best
Because ABSN programs are typically full-time, your ability to control your schedule gives you an advantage that many career-changers do not have.
Why Nursing Is a Smart Next Career
Nursing attracts people who want meaningful work and a career with long-term stability. If you want a career that allows you to help others, earn a solid income and continue growing professionally, nursing offers a strong path forward.
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Nursing also offers plenty of career pathways once you get your foot in the door, which you may not know about. It’s honestly a far cry away from freelance work in terms of the type of job but you can do it freelance as well. You can become a nurse who works part-time or only pops in when needed, in any of these fields:
- Hospital nursing
- Pediatric care
- Emergency and trauma services
- Home healthcare
- Community and public health
- Travel nursing
- Clinical leadership roles later in your career
Fast and Focused with the ABSN
One of the biggest advantages of an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is the speed. Instead of spending four years in school, you can complete your nursing education in 16 months, provided you already hold a bachelor’s degree in another area and meet the prerequisite requirements. ABSN programs are designed for motivated students who are ready to switch careers and they move quickly through both nursing coursework and clinical experiences. You must just make sure that you pick the right program to study thoroughly, one that is highly vetted and has a strong reputation.
You must meet a few requirements before applying but the most important is having a bachelor’s degree. It does not have to be in a science field, though some programs may require you to complete specific prerequisites in anatomy, biology or chemistry before your start date, so just bear that in mind.
Building Your Future While Maintaining Your Present
Freelancing can be rewarding but earning an ABSN online gives you the chance to build something lasting while still holding onto your flexible lifestyle. By managing your time wisely, you can balance coursework with your freelance commitments and emerge in just over a year with a brand-new career ahead of you. So, think ahead, work hard and doors that you never imagined would ever open up for you might just be welcoming you in 16 months.
One more thing...
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Our team of "Gig Hunters"—together with the power of A.I.—sends you high-quality leads every weekday on autopilot. You can learn more or sign up here. Happy Freelancing!
