Bachelor's degree in nursing or biology?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 6, 2015

What is it that you want to do for a living? Do you want to be a nurse, or do you want to be a dentist?

i don't know if to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing or biology ?
i don't want to walk out of track and waste time taking classes i don't need in order to become a dentist
i'm in community college and i don't know what to get for my bachelors degree

elkpark · May 6, 2015

If your plan is to become a dentist, a nursing degree will not help you with that. Have you looked into what major and courses aspiring dentists usually take? What the prerequisites are for dental school?

technofreak · May 7, 2015

I implore you to pursue dentistry. Do well in your pre-requisites, stay focus, study very hard for the DAT, volunteer and pursue dental related extracurricular activities. Becoming a dentist may seem arduous and daunting whereas becoming a nurse is substantially easier, but you want to be able to get up in the morning. Remember this is forever. Transfer as soon as you can to a four year college (dental schools like for you to complete most of your credits at a 4-year-degree granting institution, especially the prerequisites). If you do not get in, don't despair apply again. Don't get in for a second time apply again. I wouldn't recommend nursing to anyone, it is a VERY oppressed profession. Pleased don't be lured by the fast cash (i.e., I know a 23 year old who made 100K last year as brand new BSN nurse working a full-time gig and a PRN gig), or the easiness of the degree compared to other healthcare related routes. You will be laughing all the way to the bank once you become an established dentist, w/o having to deal with the drama and the disrespect that is rampant in nursing. Nursing is the biggest mistake of my adult life and I plan to warn anyone who will listen. Don't do it.

technofreak · May 7, 2015

Oh sorry, to answer your question I would pursue a degree in biology. To be honest you can have a degree in anything before applying to dental school but the biology degree prepares you the most in terms of the pathophysiology you will encounter in dental/medical school and the fact that most Bio degrees include all the necessary prerequisites that are required for dental school admissions. You can pursue a nursing degree however you will still be responsible for the prerequisites which are not part of the curriculum for a BSN. This may cost you more money because you will inevitably end up taking courses in the summer that are not part of the BSN curriculum, like physics, orgo, and etc. Also as a nursing major you will be stuck in clinicals during your last two years, and this in conjunction with your other classes may take away from the necessary studying that is required to be successful on the DAT. Please visit SDN, it can be a great resource for someone like you. GL and let us know if you have anymore questions.

urizarnancy · May 9, 2015

Wow !!!!

Thank you so much for replying so quickly , you answered many of my questions, and my doubts of becoming a Dentist flew out the window right now, I guess I was so caught up on two choices and didn't know which one seem more beneficial, but my DREAM is to become a dentist.

That's exactly what i don't want to do is having to at last minute having to take extra classes because my major in nursing didn't require it if i were to choose that major.

my friend insists me to major in nursing because i won't take a lot of math

do i even need math ?

i want to go to UCLA DENTAL SCHOOL after receiving my bachelors degree, but I'm confuse because i checked there prereqs and the classes they are asking for are classes i'm currently taking at my community college, does that mean i don't need to take any specific classes while trying to achieve a bachelor's?

technofreak · May 9, 2015

my friend insists me to major in nursing because i won't take a lot of math
do i even need math ?
i want to go to UCLA DENTAL SCHOOL after receiving my bachelors degree, but I'm confuse because i checked there prereqs and the classes they are asking for are classes i'm currently taking at my community college, does that mean i don't need to take any specific classes while trying to achieve a bachelor's?

1. In terms of math you need math for both professions. Let me repeat that again if you major in nursing, you will need to know math. Obviously to become a dentist you will need to tackle "harder" mathematical concepts that are not required for nursing, like physics. However, don't be deterred. If you don't pass a class, take it again. My biggest regret in life when I was 22, was I always wanted to do things fast (If, I'm being completely honest with myself that's how I ended up in nursing, I got my BSN in 10 months because I had a another bachelor's degree in another field, and I just wanted to be done, even though I knew nursing was not for me almost instantly). Whether you get into dental school when you're 22 vs 27, there's essentially no difference. KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE. When you're on your death bed you're not going to say, man I wish I was a dentist at 22 and not 27. Work smart ( get a job in the medical field that doesn't necessarily require a lot of energy but gives you a decent salary), study hard like hell for the DAT (this is a very HARD exam, you will say to yourself you can't do it, but this a marathon not a race). Mentally prepare yourself that if you bomb you will just take it again. Prepare to study for 1 whole year after the completion of your prerequisites for this exam. This is not a "I'm going to wing this exam" kind of thing.

2. In terms of UCLA's admissions requirement, I would call the school specifically and ask any relevant questions you have in terms of admissions, they are the only qualified group that can tell you if you are on the right track. In terms of your question about already taking the prerequisites at CC, that is a question you will need to ask UCLA. Will they accept your prerequisites if they were completed at CC and not at a four year institution? You honestly may have to take these courses again at a four year institution when you transfer, be prepared.

Also you are limiting yourself tremendously by wanting to attend UCLA's dental program. UCLA is a TOP program and the competition will be insane. I recommend you apply broadly and if you want to move back to CA or the LA area when you're done, than that is an option you will have as a DDS.