B.S.N. vs. Biology? Which one is more challenging?

anon695 · Jan 5, 2011

My opinion: BSN is harder to obtain. A BS in Biology doesn't include clinicals, passing rate of 77-80%, or NCLEX style questions. However, the work would be worth it. You can look for a job as a nurse if you get a BSN, with a BS in Biology there's really nothing specific you can do with it. Nursing jobs are in short supply but you'll have an even harder time trying to find a job with a BS in something that doesn't relate to ANY kind of job.

bree* · Jan 5, 2011

Wow really? Most people think Biology is more difficult...at least I thought.

bree* · Jan 5, 2011

Also, you practically make Biology sound useless...I thought one could do a few things with it at least..teach it..and work in a lab ya know?

lostinthecountry · Jan 5, 2011

I'd have to agree w. anon, a BSN would take alot more work. Nursing clinicals involve on the spot critical thinking and physical and emotional stressors, and the classroom curriculum can be very challenging in a good school because it goes beyond science. I have several friends who are biologists, and without a Masters in Bio, there aren't a whole lot of opportunities.

Flo., BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2011

It depends on the way you think and what interests you. What is hard for me may be easy for you and vice versa.

mba2bsn · Jan 5, 2011

I have BS degrees in biology, nursing, and MBA as well. I recently obtained my BSN for a career change after working many years in corporate world. Based on my experience, nursing is more difficult than biology because of the clinicals. Moreover, you need to pass the NCLEX exam after obtaining your degree before you can practice your profession.

MaryEMT · Jan 5, 2011

I have a B.S. in Biology and I am working on my BSN. It depends on how you think, I think my bio degree was more difficult in certain aspets but nursing is challengling in another way. There really isn't much you could do with a B.S. in Biology except go to more school. You could work in a lab, to teach in most states you would also have to take a lot of education classes(think minor possibly double major or second degree in education!) to be eligible to teach. If you are not sure about nursing but are interested in medicine in general Biology may be the way to go because you could then get a degree in nursing, PA, Medschool, masters in another field of science pretty easily. If you are pretty sure you want to be a nurse BSN is the way to go.

blondy2061h, MSN, RN · Jan 5, 2011

I started as a biology major and switched to nursing. The coursework was way harder when I was a bio major. Nursing school felt like a breeze by comparison.

nohika · Jan 5, 2011

I started as a biology major and switched to nursing. The coursework was way harder when I was a bio major. Nursing school felt like a breeze by comparison.

That's what I was thinking...what nursing major wants to take organic chemistry? Biochemistry? Physics? Cell Biology? Genetics? None I know, anyways.

metricalpound · Jan 5, 2011

I think it depends on how you think and how both programs are in your school. The school that I go to is known for both their bio program and their nursing program.

Every bio class, or any science based class like chemistry or physics classes that I have taken, I put in a little bit of effort and come out with a grade ranging from a B to an A. By little effort, I mean study for like 3 hours before a test for three hours.

I've put hours and hours in a week studying for my first Nursing class; doing questions on ATI, on the school's computer that have NCLEX questions on them, and doing questions in NCLEX books; and I've been part of many study groups. In other words, I put in all my effort and I came out of my class with a B.

tubaman86 · Jan 5, 2011

I finished my BA in Physiology while on the waiting list, and though I am still in nursing school, I will say that the amount of course work for nursing is far easier then the work I was doing in my upper division classes for my degree. I think there is more time spent in class/lab/clinical for nursing, but difficulty wise my OChem, neurophysiology, and Endocrinology classes required a ton more study then what I think nursing school will take.