AF Nursing Double Major?

[layne27]

I was curious if getting a double major would help me stand out when applying for an Air Force Nurse Corps position. I am a freshman in university and was debating on doing a double major in nursing and psychology (I know it is a very rigorous course load but I am willing to complete if it will help even if I need to complete a 5th or 6th year of university). My end goal is to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner and I am a current pre-nursing and psychology minor student. I was wondering if there is anyone who could let me know what a double major may provide in terms of positions or if it would help me stand out especially if I keep a high GPA for both degrees.

Thank you.

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

No offense to any psychology majors out there, but I didn't feel that my undergraduate psychology courses helped me take care of psychiatric patients. The material was too theory based and not therapy/patient focused. I don't think it would really help you in applying to grad schools or that it would fulfill any of the psychiatric NP master's requirements. As far as getting into the Air Force, I would say no to that too. Your priorities should be doing well in your nursing classes and being involved in the university/community (hopefully in leadership roles) not pilling-on one of the most common, in my opinion dime-a-dozen, undergraduate majors (again no offense to psychology majors).

[layne27]

Do you think that a minor in counseling would help for psychiatric nursing?

[jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA]

I'm not sure what sorts of courses 'counseling' includes. If it doesn't overly burden you took take the 3 or 4 classes for that minor, then maybe it's a good idea. As I said, focus on your nursing and science courses. Maintain at least a 3.5. Get involved in the community and lead an organization. I think good grades and strong community involvement will be far more important than what minor or major your tack along to your BSN.