Need Opinions

[medichopeful]

As some of you may know, right now I am a pre-health biology student (basically pre-med). My career choice is paramedic, and I'm doing biology to be a more knowledgeable (and a better) paramedic. I'm learning a LOT, and I know in the years to come it will make me MUCH more knowledgeable about the human body, physiology, etc..

Here's my question. I am SERIOUSLY considering switching my major from biology to nursing. I would do nursing as a second job, and be a paramedic as my primary job. The nursing degree would basically do the same as the biology degree. It would give me an understanding of anatomy, physiology, chemistry, molecular biology, etc. (of course, it would be more in-depth in some areas when compared to the biology degree).

So basically, I would do the nursing degree to be a better paramedic, and be a nurse to earn some extra money.

Does anybody have any thoughts on this? I thought I would check here before I went and talked to my advisor and switched my major.

Any information, thoughts, criticisms, or questions are welcomed.

Eric

 

[Seaglass]

Would the nursing major get you a BSN (or at least partway), or is it essentially a pre-health major that will qualify you for a nursing program?

 

[ryujinn]

Like seaglass said, it's important to explain the nature of what majoring as "nursing" does for you at your university. I know of friends who can major in nursing which prepares them for nursing school [or some type of bridge] after graduation, and friends who apply for competitive BSN programs that upon graduation become nurses already.

If your career choice is PARAMEDIC [which doesn't require a 4 year degree at all, though your BS would certainly help - but not necessary], then you would benefit mostly from majoring in nursing I would think. However, if it is a BSN (which for some reason I don't think yours is..), then you might as well stick with becoming a nurse -> MICN.

Majoring in biology you deal with a lot of lowerdiv weeder classes like chemistry, physics, mathematics, labs, etc. I believe the class requirements for nursing are a bit different and more practical (though I don't think eligible for graduate schools for certain health care professions). Biology is a straight science major that will allow you access to those careers, however, if you are just set on becoming a paramedic, then biology might not be the best since the upper division classes deal a lot with evolutionary theory, species, and only a handful of "physiological" type classes that are expanded across all species animals and humans.

Your best bet is actually a physiological science major (which also is a straight science major), but your classes are basically dealing with anatomy and physiology so that's cool. I do feel that if you are going to get a 4 year degree and wish to do emergency work, I would consider being a MICN, PA, NP, or consider graduate school.

 

[TransportJockey]

I know here at least if you already have a BS in something you can qualify for an accelerated BSN program, where you'll get a BSN after a year or two. I'd go that route if I were you.

 

[46Young]

I'm looking to do the same thing, that is be an RN both for the side cash and to up my EMS game. I'm doing the EMS AAS first, since it helps with career development and most of the necessary classes also apply to the nursing curriculum.

If you can knock everything out except for the core nursing classes before actually starting the program, you're basically doing it part time, which should be more work friendly.