Double major? Or not....

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Hey guys

Here's a quick background before I get started:

I'm a pre-nursing major at SJSU. I'm applying to get into the actual nursing program for Spring '12 (although it'll likely be Fall 2012 that I'll get in). The program at SJSU is 3 years long, and I'll have summers off. On top of that, their schedule for the program averages 10 units/semester and I need at least 12 to maintain my financial aid.

I've been recently entertaining the idea of getting into a double major - BS in Biology with emphasis in molecular biology. I worked out my potential schedule, and I'll basically have my "pre-planned" curriculum from nursing plus one bio major class each semester. Then during the summers I'll take only bio major classes. My busiest semester will have a total of 14 units.

My problem is that I know nursing school is very difficult, and I know it's not something to take lightly.

I'm not currently working and my only "extra curricular activity" is volunteering at a hospital 6hrs/week. I also have some personal issues with "wasting" my summers not doing anything particularly productive.

I NEED to fill my semesters enough to get to 12 units and I NEED to do something during the summer....

Am I absolutely nuts for thinking I should do this?

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Actually, the upper level biology courses are harder than any nursing courses I've had. Throw in the chemistry and physics, and you've got a much more strenuous degree plan as a whole. That said, I think double majors are a waste of time and money. Pick one and go for it.

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I've only just started considering this option, but from what I've read of the classes for the major, there isn't much chemistry/physics. While I definitely do not doubt that the upper div. biology courses are very difficult, I'd only be taking one per semester while I'm actually taking the nursing courses.

But maybe I'm naive.

Are nursing courses really so difficult that I can't do anything else?

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I think you will have your hands full with nursing.

Once your start nursing school, you can (and should) spend your summers doings nursing externships to gain experience and build your resume. Those are 12 hr shifts usually. So I really doubt you will be just sitting around doing nothing once your start nursing school, if that was really your concern.

Also, why are you interested in a double major if you don't mind me asking? What are your long term career plans? If you love nursing, I would say focus on that. You can always advance your studies in the future.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Postpartum.

To full fill your financial aid obligations, just pick an easy class that will bump your total credits for the semester to 14. As far as your summers, you are doing something productive like volunteering at the hospital, just increase your hours, if possible. You want to keep those contacts, as you're going to need it when the time comes.

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Thanks everyone, you've all made valid points that I definitely will consider. :)

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Also, the lecture and lab schedules for the bio classes may not fit together with the nursing school schedule of lectures/labs/clinicals. Nursing school courses/clinicals often fill much of the day and are not at all flexible.

And if you have all that free time, I'm sure you can find some other meaningful activities... look into getting a nursing assistant or unit secretary job, take an EMT course, add to and diversify the volunteer work...

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Maybe you should consider minoring? I'm also applying to SJSUs nursing school this month (to hopefully get into Spring '12). I declared my minor in business this semester and it's going great. Such a great relief from all those science classes I took the past 2 years. So yeah, if you want declare a minor in something you're interested in. And during the summers, you should look for internships (I heard the SJSU nursing school students went to Belize last summer).

Also, what's your impaction score? (If you don't mind sharing) Mine is 10.77

The cutoffs for last semester were 9.7 and are predicted to be around 10.08 this semester, but it really depends on the applicants applying. Good luck!

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

What's your rationale for double majoring in biology? If it's just to get your credits and have something to do during the summer, you might be better off minoring or just taking side classes that interest you and will be helpful for nursing. for example, do you live in an area where both English and Spanish are prevalent? Then take some Spanish courses. It will be invaluable when working and applying for jobs. Are you interested in pediatrics? Use your summers to volunteer at a local camp or take classes about Child development and psychology.

A double major is not going to make you more marketable as a nurse or as a biologist. What hospitals are looking for is experience. I think, if you want a job in nursing right off the bat, you would be better off taking the minimum 12 credits and finding a job as a CNA or PCT and working summers and a few hours a week during the school year.

But that's just my opinion. If you really want to double major, it's your choice. I worked full time while in nursing school and I always took more than the minimum credit requirement and graduated with a minor in psychology. If you find that the double major it too hard, you can always let one go and focus on the other. Just don't sign up for a lot of extra work unless you have a good reason.

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