The courses offered in a general Bachelor of Science degree will be more broad in nature than those offered in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Courses that students can expect to take in a bachelor of science degree include communications, natural sciences, math, physics, chemistry, algebra, biology and trigonometry. In addition, many students choose to specialize in a particular area of study in their last few years in a bachelor of science degree. Areas of specialization include information technology, computer science, psychology and physics.
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree provides students with a basic foundation in science while focusing on nursing as a specialty. Excelsior College, for example, requires that students complete 61 credits in in general education and 60 credits in nursing. Common nursing courses in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree include nursing research and infomatics, nursing leadership and management, pharmacology, patient safety, ethics, communication and public health nursing.
Because of its more general nature, students with a Bachelor of Science degree will have a broad understanding of a variety of elements within the sciences. Students will be prepared to enter a range of careers at entry level, including those in government, research institutions, corporations and the military.
The focus on nursing found within a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree means that students will be prepared for a specific career in the health industry. Outcomes of this degree include a basic understanding of anatomy and biology as well as a detailed understanding of the health sciences. Students can usually write the national nurse licensure exam to become a registered nurse after they have completed this degree.
Both degrees open up career and educational opportunities for graduates. A Bachelor of Science degree can be used to obtain a job in nearly any field, while a Bachelor of Science in Nursing is best suited toward careers in nursing.
After obtaining a bachelor degree, students can continue their education by pursing a master degree, doctorate degree, or post-graduate certificates. Those with a Bachelor of Science degree can choose from any number of fields for further study, while those with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree are likely to continue their education in nursing to obtain leadership and administration training.