BSN + minor?

llg, PhD, RN · Oct 23, 2009

I wish that I had gotten a minor back when I was an undergrad many, many years ago. I think you are wise to be considering it.

I think you should pick your minor based on your interests in life in general and/or in the possible roles you might take in nursing and/or the other types of careers that might interest you -- rather than choose your minor based on your clinical specialty. Any skills that you need for your clinical specialty can be picked up either on-the-job or by taking a little continuing education. A minor is a more solid academic credential that could be used later in life to help you get a job on unique career path, combine nursing with another profession for a mixed career, or to leave nursing for another career altogether.

In other words, I would be using my minor to create interesting possibilities down the road rather than to expect a minor to help you in an entry-level staff nurse job. (Though the language idea is a good one if you plan to work in an area with a large population of people who don't speak English.)

For example: If you are really into computers, etc. a minor in information science could help you become involved in Nursing Informatics. If you are interested in maybe teaching someday, a minor in Adult Education would be helpful. etc.

If you don't have a particular "other" specialty focus in mind ... maybe pick a passion. For example, if you love history, get a minor in that and perhaps study and write about nursing history. I regret not getting a minor in philosophy to give me legitimate credentials as a nurse philosopher. See what I mean?

caliotter3 · Oct 24, 2009

My minor was health science. I was interested in pursuing a MPH.

Crizo · Oct 24, 2009

thanks for the replies!! they were very helpful.

i LOVE health promotion. i met a RN yesterday who works as a health promotion coordinator at the university. i think that might be something i'm interested in, but i'm not sure what the appropiate minor would be... i don't know if there's a minor called "health promotion" or what. (the nurse i met didn't have a minor.)

i also love studying nutrition, and medicine. i was interested in pursuing a major in pharmacy because i love learning how our body digests and reacts to what we consume... i know there's a lot more to it than that, but i work in a pharmacy and i love learning about that kind of stuff. i'm not sure what kind of jobs are available for nurses with a minor in HES or nutrition though. i guess i have some research to do!

thanks again! additional advice/comments are still greatly appreciated! =)