Nurse or Biologist?

NanikRN · Apr 4, 2016

Hi! I'm a senior in high school and I am conflicted between which degree and career to pursue. I really need to figure out which to focus on: nursing or biology? If I go with nursing, this summer I'll either go into a CNA program or start on pre-nursing classes at a community college to transfer those credits to a university (it's cheaper this way). BUT if I go with biology, then I'll start volunteering at animal shelters and the botanical gardens.
The thing is, I absolutely LOVE science: animals, plants, animals, anatomy, physiology, ecology, etc. I would really like to work in a lab and out in nature. But I'm worried I won't find a good stable and secure job with just a Bachelor's in Biology. I honestly don't know any biologists, no scientists, nobody who got a biology degree. But I do know one close family friend who is a school nurse and she's happy with her job and she's been in it for as long as I can remember.
However, if I get a BSN, I can probably get and keep a job. I don't like the idea of being in a hospital all the time, though. I'm worried that it would be a really depressing job for me. A job in nursing is physically stressful, but a job as a biologist is not. My parents are both getting old and it gets more difficult for them to go to work. My dad is a self-employed construction worker, and my mom was a janitor until she had a spinal surgery. I'm worried that the physical strain as a nurse might eventually lead me to get back surgery and through all the pain my mom is in. Maybe it's just a rare case, though?
Both schedules appeal to me. Both involve science and I love that, too. I would love to comfort and take care of people, but I would also love to comfort and take care of animals. I love dissections and I'm not grossed out by bodily stuff.
My family is really pressuring me to become a nurse,too. And since I'm the first in my family to go to college so I'm confused and upset that I can't make up my mind.
I would really appreciate some advice. Thanks in advance!

Have you thought any about microbiology in lab services? Pathology? Sounds like maybe areas you might be interested in

Pressure or not, take the time to find out what you're really interested in. Talk to your school guidance counsler- talk with some of your science teachers.

Nursing is a hard job. It's even harder if your interests lie elsewhere.

Good luck to you -- sounds like you'll do well no matter what you choose

Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN · Apr 4, 2016

Getting a BSN does not = job security.

Nursing is a great career but not for everyone. I have a friend who works at the CDC in the lab, and another who works for the Medical Examiner...they both adore their jobs and I don't remember either one having difficulty with obtaining a job.

I think you should research different science-based careers. Good luck!

Mavrick, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2016

Don't go into nursing thinking it is an easy job or an easy job to get.

There is no nursing shortage. You could be looking for a job for several months or a year depending on what oversaturated market you are looking in (Southern California, New York for example).

Most entry level nursing jobs are physically taxing and you need a couple years experience to get the nice cushy jobs that we older nurses have worked ourselves into.

Nursing is science-based but you need strong people skills to work with folks when they are really not at their best and they and their families have expectations about nurses they got from watching too much TV.

Keep researching. Nursing is not a fall back position because you don't know what else to do.

mistycal27 · Apr 6, 2016

Hey Pineapplepie!

You sound a lot like me 18 years ago lol. As a HS senior I also loved science, being outdoors and helping/caring for others. I ended up getting a degree in Biology and easily getting a job as a lab technician straight out of college. I worked outside 25-50% of the time collecting samples. It was a lot of fun!! Pay was ok and my job stability was pretty good, I think this is true for most bachelors and masters degree holders. But I got bored and ultimately wanted something that was faster paced, instantly gratifying and working with the public. So I became a nurse and love my job!

Like previous posters have already said, it is hard work! And it took me 4 months and ~50 applications to find a job after graduation. Pay is better than in science, but you definitely WORK for every dollar of it!

Both jobs require innovation and logic. Try to honestly answer these questions:

For nursing:

Do you love helping others and meeting new people (constantly)? Are you quick on your feet? Do you enjoy being task driven and physically busy? Do you like the idea of clocking out and leaving work behind you? Can you handle being indoors all day?

For science:

Do you like working in small groups without a lot of new people? Do you like working on long projects with no definitive end dates? Do you like setting your own hours? Are you ok with working odd hours as experiments sometimes call for? Are you self-motivated?

If you are still 50/50 I would suggest enrolling in school as undeclared and working in a lab one semester and as a CNA another semester. Good luck!!! And remember you can always change your mind at 30 like I did lol.

Maevish, ASN, RN · Apr 11, 2016

Hi! I'm a senior in high school and I am conflicted between which degree and career to pursue. I really need to figure out which to focus on: nursing or biology? If I go with nursing, this summer I'll either go into a CNA program or start on pre-nursing classes at a community college to transfer those credits to a university (it's cheaper this way). BUT if I go with biology, then I'll start volunteering at animal shelters and the botanical gardens.
The thing is, I absolutely LOVE science: animals, plants, animals, anatomy, physiology, ecology, etc. I would really like to work in a lab and out in nature. But I'm worried I won't find a good stable and secure job with just a Bachelor's in Biology. I honestly don't know any biologists, no scientists, nobody who got a biology degree. But I do know one close family friend who is a school nurse and she's happy with her job and she's been in it for as long as I can remember.
However, if I get a BSN, I can probably get and keep a job. I don't like the idea of being in a hospital all the time, though. I'm worried that it would be a really depressing job for me. A job in nursing is physically stressful, but a job as a biologist is not. My parents are both getting old and it gets more difficult for them to go to work. My dad is a self-employed construction worker, and my mom was a janitor until she had a spinal surgery. I'm worried that the physical strain as a nurse might eventually lead me to get back surgery and through all the pain my mom is in. Maybe it's just a rare case, though?
Both schedules appeal to me. Both involve science and I love that, too. I would love to comfort and take care of people, but I would also love to comfort and take care of animals. I love dissections and I'm not grossed out by bodily stuff.
My family is really pressuring me to become a nurse,too. And since I'm the first in my family to go to college so I'm confused and upset that I can't make up my mind.
I would really appreciate some advice. Thanks in advance!

I'm with you. I started music/pre-vet (then got discouraged by the chances of getting into Vet school, so I switched to music/pre-med. Then *curse word* Physics happened. That took care of the pre-med bit even though I loved the other sciences. Lucky some of the pre reqs worked for nursing and, since a steady music career wasn't likely, I did music/nursing.

It just depends on what's most important to you and the job outlooks. If you're kick a** at the sciences you'll have a better shot at vet school than I ever had because, while I enjoyed the sciences a lot, I really had to work at decent grades.

You could do like I did, get a job where you work 3 days a week and volunteer at a vet clinic or a rescue (which is typically so sad, but fun) and then do the vet stuff when you're more financially stable, or do the vet thing and see where the wind blows you (marine biology is AWESOME too, but I don't know about the job outlook). You're still so young to me, a 33 year old old lady :cheeky: , but I know you want to get going asap. Sometimes people change careers multiple times and at least, with nursing, you'll be able to find a part time or per diem job to supplement whatever you want to do elsewhere. There are also hundreds of jobs you can have IN nursing without being stuck in one area for forever, so keep that in mind too.

Good luck and keep me posted!

xo

PA_RN87, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Apr 11, 2016

As far as job security and availability goes, I think you need to research what is available in your area. I actually got a Bachelor of Science degree in biology first for the same kinds of reasons, I like science and being outdoors. After graduating I realized there really weren't any worthwhile jobs available in my area with my degree. So I ended up going back to school for nursing. Nursing jobs are plentiful in my area. Is it the job that I enjoy the most? Definitely not. But I make a good living and I still have lots of time to spend Outdoors for enjoyment instead of work. It's a balance that definitely works for me. Also remember that not all nurses work in the hospital and there are lots of opportunities for nurses in clinics, schools, LTC facilities, home care, etc.

poopylala, BSN, RN · Apr 13, 2016

I have a BS in biology but in my city (Houston, tx) there's not a job market for biology degrees unles you have a masters and experience. The neighboring big city has the biotech job market. Look at what jobs are available that you want, look at their requirements, and work backwards from there to decide what you want to do. I wanted to work in research but realized I couldn't do much here with just a BS in Bio. At the end of the day, you spend those hours at work and you need to decide what is the best way for you to spend that time. A lot of science jobs are about who you know, as well, so the only job offer I had was for a research group for whom I had been a subject for a study. Volunteer or do an internship if you can for a place you're interested in working to decide if it's what you really want.

pineapplepie · Apr 20, 2016

I live in the Chicago area and people here tell me that there is a shortage... I don't know if it is true or not. And most people tell me that if I graduate with a BSN, I can find a job quickly...But I guess it seems that nursing is like any other field in this economy

pineapplepie · Apr 20, 2016

That is great to hear that there is a need for nurses in some places. I understand that with a biology bachelor's degree it would be difficult to get a job...a master's degree would probably be preferred. May I could TRY to get a bachelors and a job in biology and if that doesn't work that maybe I could either get a nursing degree or a master's degree in something else...Still confused.

pineapplepie · Apr 20, 2016

Wow mistycal27 it does seem like I am in the same shoes you were.

For nursing:

Do you love helping others and meeting new people (constantly)?YES!Are you quick on your feet? Yes!Do you enjoy being task driven and physically busy? Maybe?Do you like the idea of clocking out and leaving work behind you? Yes! Can you handle being indoors all day? Not always

For science:

Do you like working in small groups without a lot of new people?Yes! Do you like working on long projects with no definitive end dates? Maybe? Do you like setting your own hours? Yes? Are you ok with working odd hours as experiments sometimes call for? Probably?Are you self-motivated? Yes!

I am not exactly sure what this means. I still feel 50/50 and unsure with these careers... But you are right I'll try to shadow a lab tech and a nurse and maybe that'll set things straight.