Is a double major possible?

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Nov 5, 2011

With nursing, it's not just the class/lecture hours- you have clinical hours- that are different in each school.

Most nursing students that I've known do ONLY nursing classes during the school year; they do the other classes JUST for nursing during the summer, or before nursing clinicals start.

I'll be interested in the replies, too :)

Zookeeper3 · Nov 5, 2011

I admire your eagerness. May I suggest just one year, doing just nursing before you decide? You have no idea of the stress that will be placed upon you, let alone know how you will feel about that second minor or major in a year or two. When declaring a second major or a minor, you have more than a year to decide as nursing core curriculum will encompass your life. Just experience in the process, trying to prevent you from burn out before you even practice. Simple words now, reality shorty.

umcRN, BSN, RN · Nov 5, 2011

I would say probably not. My school wouldn't even allow us to add a LANGUAGE to our schedules :mad: never mind a major/minor. I did compete in a Div1 varsity sport and that took A LOT of commitment to both and a lot of compromising, I would miss a practice for a class, miss a class for a competition, I had it worked out with teachers and coaches and was allowed to do this because I kept a 4.0 gpa. But it was a lot of work with 3-4 hours a day of added practices on top of classes/homework/clinicals and I missed out on a lot of sleep, and other general college activities but I think even had I not had a sport keeping up with nursing classes was a full time job, and at my school a lot of classes were 3-4 hours long so that we had whole days for clinical...most other classes won't fit into that kind of schedule.

umcRN, BSN, RN · Nov 5, 2011

also might I ask...what other major are you looking into? and are you planning on using it with your nursing career? If you are unsure of nursing you might want to get that figured out first before trying to do two difficult majors

FutureRN_NP · Nov 5, 2011

Not to my knowledge. Nursing school is very intense. Classes are topping off with clinical. You barely have a normal life including loosing some sleeps too until pinning day. That is based on from my personal experience.

Britt2007 · Nov 5, 2011

I am currernlty in a bsn program for nursing where alot of us are minoring in psychology, I take the classes I need for my minor during the lighter semesters since some semesters only have 2 classes so depending on your course work yes minoring is possible. As far as double majoring that may be a little tougher depending on what you major in.

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · Nov 5, 2011

Yeah, you could probably minor without a lot of problem. Math or something especially time consuming would be obviously harder. A double major in something like that would take some serious time. If you wanted to major in civil engineering and nursing, as an example, you could probably kiss the next seven years of your life goodbye. I'd say it's not worth it to double major. Psychology, as another mentioned, is a hugely popular major and minor and think often so because it's generally not very hard, and since a lot of people take it the classes are usually offered enough to accomodate interested persons.

maddiem · Nov 5, 2011

I'm currently a pre-nursing student (2 more semesters!) and I'm minoring in psychology along with my BSN. But I'm taking all of my psych classes before I start my BSN program so my course load won't be so heavy during nursing school. I can't see how a double major in nursing and something else would work. With lecture, labs, clinicals, and the crazy amount of studying that is needed...it would be a mistake. You would be so overwhelmed and you would probably not have enough time to devote to both majors. They don't even recommend working during nursing school, let alone taking a whole other curriculum! If your really want to do it, I suggest making that 2nd major a minor and taking most of the classes needed before you start nursing school.

tanna898 · Nov 5, 2011

I was in a part time nursing program, 1 day of instruction and 2 days of clinicals per week, and managed to take other classes concurrently. However, I did not work and have an extremely supportive family that took care of all the house hold chores etc. It was HARD:bluecry1: but very doable:yeah:. I also should mention that the first year of nursing school was much easier compared to the second, so if you are able to successfully do both the first year it may not be the same case the following year. Good luck to you :hpygrp:

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Nov 5, 2011

Nursing is very intense both the coursework and clinicals, but if you want another major take some of these elective courses in that field and see if you can do both. Start with 1 or 2 classes as your nurse schedule allows since a BA/BS requires electives anyway. Probably easier to pursue a minor.

I took classes in international relations before I became a nurse and did enjoy the classes and I suppose they were useful in an offhand way as you care for patients of many different nationalities and languages as a nurse. Spanish is obviously the most practical language in healthcare these days!

I love learning so I understand your desire to pursue another major, you just have to take it slow and see if you can handle the nursing coursework first and of course can you afford the extra time in college to finish a second major as it is for your personal fulfillment and most likely will not lead to a higher paid job as a nurse.

If I had the money I would love to go back to school, but practical day to day living expenses preclude this for me. However with the internet and libraries you can study anything under the sun if you don't need the official college credit. They even have actual IVY League coursework on the internet for free to essentially audit if you were interested. Truly the internet is like having a virtual encyclopedia at your fingertips and now with the Kindle you can have books at your disposal as well. Even some public libraries are starting to offer free books thru Kindle!

LouisVRN, RN · Nov 5, 2011

I am one class short of having a double major in psych and nursing. Only reason I didn't complete them concurrently was the first month of nursing school I found out I was pregnant. Its doable if you're committed enough and don't have a lot of commitments outside of school. Before entering the nursing program, while I was doing prereqs, id take about 24 credits a semester but I didn't work or anything and thered be days id be at school over 12 hours