Is it worth it to double major with nursing/psychology?

Specialties Psychiatric

Published

Specializes in ED/Psych.

Hi

Maybe someone can answer my question. I am a double major, nursing and psychology; however, once I get my BSN, I plan to continue onto a Master's Program for Psychiatric Nursing. Now what I am wondering is will it have any bearing on job positions, etc. if I also have a degree in Psych with Nursing or since I plan on going for my Master's should I just keep my major in Nursing and drop Psych?

Obviously I know it will "look good" on a resume, but I am just wondering if it will be any more beneficial that what I will already have learned from the nursing classes? From what I understand, nursing classes are going to be quite a bit to handle, and I don't want to put undue pressure on myself if it is not going to be pertinent in the future.

Thanks for any input!

Hi,

In my opinion, the double major is probably unecessary pressure. I graduated with a BSN and went straight to work in a psych facility. Within a few years, I took the exam to become a RNC, with certification being in psychiatric nursing. If nursing is yoiur major, and your passion is psychology, I would say that I have learned more on the job and through continuing ed than I think I would have sitting in psychology classes. Whatever your decision, I wish you the best and keep me posted. I have worked in psych for 17 years. I plan to go back and get my NP in psych nursing, and wish I would have stayed in school and done it before I got out....but you live and you learn:uhoh3:

I currently am also in massage therapy school...go figure!!( and I love it, plan to merge that with the psych stuff)

Dedee

Specializes in ED/Psych.

Thanks for replying Dedee!

I kind of thought as much but just wanted some input from someone who actually works in the field already.

I am probably just going to take one more psych class (all I need) to get a minor in psych so I might as well do that and then I will probably forget about majoring in it since it does seem that it will probably be pretty useless.

Good luck on getting your NP in psych!!!!

My first degree was in pysch. I worked as a psych case manager/group leader for six years before entering an accelerated BSN program this past summer. My plan is to become a psych nurse and then go on for advanced certification. A double degree in psych/nursing may be a little too much. There were a lot of psych classes in my major that I have never used (Experiemental-just talked about rats, etc). Maybe a psych minor with a concencration on abnormal, clinical, and developmental classes would be beneficial though. Good luck to you.

I have been a psych nurse for 7 years. I have an associate degree in nursing and was going to pursue bachelors in psych, but after a lot of research a psych degree is pretty much worthless unless you get a masters or phd. Psych degree would only be good for enjoyment. If you want to get a degree that will eventually make you some money, get a masters in nursing, preferably nurse practitioner. After you get a nursing degree and work in psych for 2 years, you can get ancc certified in mental health nursing. You probably won't have a problem in getting that first psych nursing job, but would not hurt to work as a psych tech first, or perhaps work part time in a group home for mentally ill, or even work in a nursing home on a alzheimers unit, while you are finishing your degree. vollunteer work in a place that works with mentally handicapped may be an option also. any kind of "psych" experience will benefit you when you go for the first interview for that first psych nurse job.

Good luck,

Lee

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