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Which is more marketable: a major in nursing or psychology?
I'm interested in both and would like to hear which of these is more profitable and which will open more doors for opportunity.
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Dina’s Answer
Hi Julie,
Seems like you have narrowed it down to two majors that could lead to a rewarding career.
In the United States, a major in nursing prepares you to work as a nurse upon graduation from college. The major is very focused on the classes that you need in order to be eligible for the nursing licensing exam. The benefit of a nursing degree is that you will be prepared for a well-paying, meaningful career with many job opportunities. If you choose to pursue a nursing major, then you should be pretty sure that you want to become a nurse because you won't get as much exposure to classes outside of the nursing field.
Majoring in psychology can lead to several different careers. In the United States, psychologists are required to have a doctoral degree. If you want to become a psychologist, majoring in psychology might help you figure out your passion and prepare you for the additional schooling necessary to become a psychologist. With that in mind, if you don't want to be a psychologist, there are many other jobs you can do with a bachelors in psychology, though some of them will need a graduate degree. This major could be a good choice if you are not exactly sure what job you would like in the future, but find learning about people to be interesting. Perhaps majoring in psychology will even help you learn about your decision making process and the kind of work that you find fulfilling.
Seems like you have narrowed it down to two majors that could lead to a rewarding career.
In the United States, a major in nursing prepares you to work as a nurse upon graduation from college. The major is very focused on the classes that you need in order to be eligible for the nursing licensing exam. The benefit of a nursing degree is that you will be prepared for a well-paying, meaningful career with many job opportunities. If you choose to pursue a nursing major, then you should be pretty sure that you want to become a nurse because you won't get as much exposure to classes outside of the nursing field.
Majoring in psychology can lead to several different careers. In the United States, psychologists are required to have a doctoral degree. If you want to become a psychologist, majoring in psychology might help you figure out your passion and prepare you for the additional schooling necessary to become a psychologist. With that in mind, if you don't want to be a psychologist, there are many other jobs you can do with a bachelors in psychology, though some of them will need a graduate degree. This major could be a good choice if you are not exactly sure what job you would like in the future, but find learning about people to be interesting. Perhaps majoring in psychology will even help you learn about your decision making process and the kind of work that you find fulfilling.
I appreciate your support, Dina
Julie
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
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Paul’s Answer
Right now, based on the demand, it would have to be nursing.
Thanks for the advice.
Julie
Alan Weber
writer and retired teacher, teacher educator and academic advisor
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Alan’s Answer
Julie, I would ask a different question: Which one of these do you think would be more fulfilling and would help more people? It's fine to be practical, but money isn't the reason one should go into either of these professions. It's the same with "opportunity." I would encourage you to consider the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people. It seems to me that by your having narrowed your options down to these two, that you must find them interesting and are drawn to them for the right reasons, otherwise you'd be asking about business or real estate. Yes, you should want to make enough for you and your loved ones to be comfortable, and you should want to be able to spread your wings. But our society is not very responsible when it comes to either health care or mental illness, and there are so many people who desperately need a good, caring, knowledgeable nurse or psychologist. Whichever you choose, be that.
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Julie
Keiaira Bain
Photographer, Videographer, Cinematographer, Filmmaker, Graphic Designer
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Keiaira’s Answer
Honestly, they are both great professions in high demand. Nursing and psychology both deal in the care of individuals health. Nursing focusing on physical health, and psychology focusing on the mind, emotions, and personal development. The best advice is to be of help in the field which aligns with who truly are, and the way you desire to help others. No one can really help you come to that decision. It's an answer you'll come to know through self discovery. Now, if your concern is solely money; once again either profession has wonderful financial benefits, but that is determined by your education (Associates, Bachelors, Masters, DNP, PhD), as well as your skillset, and your ability to genuinely empathize with your patients. Other determining factors are whether you are an employee which ultimately limits how much you can earn, or whether you have your own practice; which means you are in control of how much your patients pay you. There are downsides to both. The choice is yours.
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
Julie
Updated
Audrey’s Answer
Hi!
I think it depends on what kind of job you want. A major in nursing will prepare you to be a nurse or physicians assistant. You can use that as a stepping stone to be a nurse practitioner later in your career. Nursing will open more doors financially and you can work in so many different settings.
With psychology, it is more broad. I have a similar degree and I found that it allowed me to apply to so many different grad programs but it was very challenging to find work (that was more than minimum wage) with just a bachelors. you can go to grad school to become a LMFT, social worker, speech pathologist, physical therapist, or occupational therapist to name a few. So you have more career options but it will take you longer to get there and longer to get financially comfortable.
Depends on what you find more interesting and what your career goals are.
I think it depends on what kind of job you want. A major in nursing will prepare you to be a nurse or physicians assistant. You can use that as a stepping stone to be a nurse practitioner later in your career. Nursing will open more doors financially and you can work in so many different settings.
With psychology, it is more broad. I have a similar degree and I found that it allowed me to apply to so many different grad programs but it was very challenging to find work (that was more than minimum wage) with just a bachelors. you can go to grad school to become a LMFT, social worker, speech pathologist, physical therapist, or occupational therapist to name a few. So you have more career options but it will take you longer to get there and longer to get financially comfortable.
Depends on what you find more interesting and what your career goals are.
Thanks for your encouragement!
Julie
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Julie !
I would say that in general, both are marketable careers. If I had to choose which is more marketable, I would say Nursing. The demand for nurses is very high all around the world and there are a variety of types of nursing you can do. One feature of nursing that shows how in-demand nurses are is the emergence and popularity of Travel Nurse Agencies. This in itself is evidence of the need for nurses worldwide.
I advise that you choose a career that your heart leads you to. Explore all aspects of these careers and others, based on your abilities, talents, interests and follow a career that will be something you will love doing. If you choose a career based on projected marketability, you may find that markets change and maybe will feel like your heart isn't in what you chose based on possible chances of getting work.
I would say that in general, both are marketable careers. If I had to choose which is more marketable, I would say Nursing. The demand for nurses is very high all around the world and there are a variety of types of nursing you can do. One feature of nursing that shows how in-demand nurses are is the emergence and popularity of Travel Nurse Agencies. This in itself is evidence of the need for nurses worldwide.
I advise that you choose a career that your heart leads you to. Explore all aspects of these careers and others, based on your abilities, talents, interests and follow a career that will be something you will love doing. If you choose a career based on projected marketability, you may find that markets change and maybe will feel like your heart isn't in what you chose based on possible chances of getting work.