Can You Minor In Nursing? 10 Minors If You're Interested in Nursing
There are not any options in college for undergraduates and graduates to minor in nursing but there are minors for nursing degree students who have a specific interest or career goal.
Accredited institutions do not typically offer nursing as a minor. However, nursing majors interested in exploring another study area can complete a minor to support a personal interest or career path.
Under normal circumstances, college students can select any available minor to add to their education, but certain minors work exceptionally well with an undergraduate nursing degree. For instance, a minor in computer science, counseling, or health and humanities provides career and higher educational advantages.
Is It Possible to Minor in Nursing?
A nursing minor is not common due to the complexity and competitiveness of nursing programs. Students interested in becoming a registered nurse or nurse practitioner must earn a Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) degree that leads to licensure and pass the NCLEX examination.
Aspiring nurses with a passion or motivation in another area can choose a minor or meet with an academic advisor to help decide on a field that supports a BSN program.
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Top Minors for Nursing Students
These are the top minors for nursing students to enhance their academic abilities, healthcare knowledge, and interpersonal skills. The minors we discuss below add extra value to a bachelor's degree in nursing.
Foreign Language
A minor in Spanish, French, Chinese, or another foreign language strengthens a nursing student's communication skills. Professional nurses familiar with one or more languages are more effective with certain non-English speaking patients. A foreign language minor reduces language barriers in patient care and contributes to quality care. Additionally, it increases career opportunities such as becoming a medical interpreter.
Psychology
Nursing students who choose to minor in psychology can better understand human behavior. Additionally, psychology increases skills in the following:
- decision-making
- observation
- patience
- problem-solving
Psychology is one of the best minors for a nursing major because it provides studies in addictions, child development, and mental health to augment a BSN degree.
Biology
A biology minor is an appropriate supplement to a nursing education because biology covers topics such as:
- human disease and aging
- human physiology
- developmental neurobiology
Registered nurses with a background in biology better understand treatments for diseases based on genetics and their knowledge of human body systems, structures, and functions.
Health Sciences
A health sciences minor covers medical terminology, epidemiology, and wellness studies and gives a thorough understanding of human body systems and human responses to health-related issues. A minor in health sciences may also train nursing majors on the following topics:
- gerontology
- health disparities
- health informatics
A health sciences minor increases credentials for nursing graduates interested in leadership positions or another role in the healthcare field.
Public Health
Current nursing students may benefit from a minor in public health if they are interested in protecting communities from illnesses and diseases through research and advocacy efforts. Coursework for a public health minor may include:
- health communication
- chronic and infectious disease
- public health and environmental health
A public health minor stimulates a nursing degree with increased communication and research skills and knowledge of healthcare and health systems.
Global Health
An introduction to global health gives nursing students a wide view of health issues and challenges related to social, economic, environmental, and cultural impacts. Global health minors are important to nursing majors on an educational path to advanced healthcare or nursing specialties.
Students who minor in global health take courses such as:
- global mental health
- medical anthropology
- disease and human evolution
These courses prepare students for a Master of Science in nursing (MSN) degree program or a graduate program in a health-related field.
Early Childhood Development
A minor in early childhood development is relative to nursing majors especially those interested in pediatric care. An early childhood development minor contributes to more compassion, better communication, and an understanding of practices for developmental growth.
Nursing students minoring in early childhood development increase career opportunities and qualify for roles. These roles include preschool teachers or childcare workers.
Epidemiology
Students looking to enrich a nursing degree should consider a minor in epidemiology. A minor in epidemiology focuses on population health issues due to infectious outbreaks and ways to improve prevention. Most nursing programs teach epidemiology; however, earning a minor in epidemiology gives nursing students a deeper understanding and enhanced skills.
Human Anatomy and Physiology
A close study of human structures and functions benefits an undergraduate nursing education in many ways. We provide brief details on how a human anatomy and physiology minor benefits nursing students below:
- builds confidence in communicating with patients and families
- provides a deeper comprehension of patient observation and patient safety
- better prepares nursing students for a master's degree program
Colleges and Universities Offering Online Minors for Nursing
Colleges and universities offer online minors for nursing degrees like healthcare administration and health promotion that build upon knowledge and skills in nursing courses. We point out other minors for nursing in the list of accredited institutions below.
Indiana State University
Indiana State University's nursing program has a high ranking by US News amongst other undergraduate nursing degree programs and goes well with several minors that support nursing practice. Online minors for nursing include:
- biology
- information technology
- kinesiology
- public health
- psychology
- nutrition and wellness
Oregon State University
Oregon State University offers several minors in health and well-being that coincide well with an undergraduate nursing degree. We provide five examples of minors for nursing at OSU below:
- early childhood development and education
- environmental and occupational health
- exercise physiology
- global health
- health management and policy
Old Dominion University
Over 20 online minors are available for nursing students in an undergraduate program at Old Dominion University. Students interested in a minor that correlates with nursing should consider the following:
- addiction prevention and treatment
- communication
- community health
- psychology
The University of Arizona
The University of Arizona provides foreign language minors, public health minors, and more for students who want to enhance a nursing degree. While students can choose any minor they desire, the following undergraduate minors are beneficial to nursing careers:
- addiction and substance abuse
- aging and population health
- health and human values
- Spanish
Liberty University
Liberty University offers online minors to gain knowledge and skills in an area of interest or for a career goal. Good online minors for nursing majors include:
- Christian counseling
- ethics
- psychology
