Declaring a minor while you are studying to become a nurse opens up a wide variety of opportunities. While you can gain new knowledge and dig deeper into your niche, you can explore personal interests and beef up your resume.
The complicated part about declaring a minor is choosing which one works best for your career. The time you invest researching good minors for nursing majors will start paying off the moment you graduate. Let’s take a closer look at the possibilities to consider.
Why Choose a Minor as a Nursing Major
Choosing a minor while studying in a nursing program has many professional and personal benefits. Some of them include:
Standing Out from the Crowd
While the nursing shortage continues, graduates rarely get the dream job right out of college. A minor can help you stand out by showing employers that you have extra skills. For example, if you choose to minor in communications, an employer may see you as more prepared to work in a complex healthcare setting than a fellow graduate.
Building a Stronger Skill Set
Nursing requires more than just clinical knowledge. Cultural awareness and problem-solving are also key. A minor gives you the chance to develop these skills. If you choose wisely, your minor can make you more well-rounded and confident.
Exploring Personal Interests
College is not just about focusing solely on the chosen career path. It’s also about discovering what you love. A minor gives you space to explore a subject that interests you, even if it’s outside of nursing. Whether it’s philosophy or business, this exploration can keep your education fulfilling.
Opening New Career Opportunities
Some nurses move beyond bedside care into education and public health. Some even choose entrepreneurship. A well-chosen minor can prepare you for those future roles. For example, business knowledge can help you manage a clinic, while a wellness minor can help you enhance your practice.
Preparing for Graduate Study
If you are thinking about going to grad school later, a minor can help set the foundation. It shows commitment and readiness to study at a higher level. Grad program admissions love to see these.
Top Minors for Nursing Majors to Choose
If you’ve decided to declare a minor, you need to decide which one fits you perfectly. The best minors for nursing majors are:
- Communication Studies: Sharpens speaking and listening skills that can help with patient care.
- Psychology: Builds understanding of mental health and patient behavior.
- Public Health: Offers a broader view of healthcare systems and accessibility.
- Business Administration: Prepares you for leadership or management roles in healthcare.
- Nutrition: Deepens knowledge of diet and wellness for patient education.
- Health Informatics: Equips you to work with digital records and healthcare tech.
- Sociology: Helps you understand social factors that affect health outcomes.
- Ethics or Philosophy: Strengthens your ability to navigate complex medical decisions.
- Gerontology: Focuses on aging populations and elderly care (which is a fast-growing field)
When choosing a minor, take a step back to think about the goal. Will you do it for career purposes or for personal needs? Answering this question can help you make the right choice.
Explore Nursing Degrees and Minors
Declaring a minor can be an excellent decision for nursing majors who are ready to add more value to their studying time. While it requires more mental, physical, and financial investment, tackling a relevant minor can have an impressive ROI.
At Barton College, we offer several good minors for nursing majors. We invite you to explore these options and contact us for more information.