Your degree(s) in other fields--are they helping you in nursing?

[learning08]

If you earned a degree in a different field prior to nursing school, did you find it helpful when applying for jobs as a nurse? I'm amazed at how many new RNs have prior college and advanced degrees nowadays. Meaningful work, flexible schedules, an industry that is more stable than most in this economy...that's why I work as a nurse today. A MS certainly helped me get right into nursing school with minimal prereqs. I thought my other degrees & skills have also helped me somewhat in the interviewing process to position myself as a lifelong learner offering a little extra. It's also reassuring to know that I can pursue other options outside of healthcare.

[RNperdiem, RN]

Over half of my nursing school classmates had college degrees. We were well educated and unskilled and living in an economic recession.

I suspect a lot of people "go to college" without a solid plan for a career, major in something that does not lead to a job and take up nursing at a community college a few years later.

[newohiorn, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I don't think my business degree helps me in my day-to-day work but I do think it helps in the interview process--as you said--I think they like the lifelong learner thing.

[zuzi]

I could tell you just about MY own observations, nurses with a previous math degree in some how (computer science, math, engineering..) are growup like awesome nurses, smart, intelligent, judging with their own brain, a pleasure to work with!

[HappyBunnyNurse]

My first degree was in education(high school biology) so it definitely helps with patient teaching. I feel that nursing was my calling so when I was in nursing school I worried I had wasted those years six years of teaching. However,once I began to actually practice I found myself using my education training daily. I have had patients complement me on how well I explain things. Also, ironically, now that I have transferred to a nicu I find adolescent psychology coming in handy when dealing with many of the moms.

[SunnyAndrsn]

It made school a lot easier (Biology degree) but did not help me get my first nursing job. It is helping me advance faster though.

[Coffee Nurse, BSN, RN]

I graduated from college with a dual degree in nursing and linguistics. I guess the fact that I love languages has helped me pick up bits and pieces when I've needed to, in order to communicate with patients (in a rudimentary way -- for anything beyond the very basics, it's through a proper translator). And, if nothing else, it's a good conversation starter.

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

My first degree was in business. I think being computer proficient has helped me a great deal in nursing. I can pick up a new program by playing around with it and within a week I am more proficient than many who have worked with it for years! My prior work as a bookkeeper has helped me keep an organized clinic (I'm a school nurse) and I make Excel worksheets to keep track of vision screenings, corrections, shot records etc. to keep me organized. My prior work in customer service (I was supervisor in a dept that handled mostly complaints and unusual cases) is a DEFINITE asset. Angry parents/teachers do not get under my skin and I am able to stay calm and not take it personally.

I do think that it looks good on a resume as well. It would probably help me more if I wanted to go into admin or supervisory roles, but that is not what I want. Any education looks good on a resume!