{"id":14422,"date":"2025-11-10T11:17:10","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T16:17:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/?p=14422"},"modified":"2025-11-10T11:17:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T16:17:10","slug":"health-science-vs-nursing-degree-which-is-right-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/health-science-vs-nursing-degree-which-is-right-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Health Science vs. Nursing Degree: Which is Right for You?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Health Science and Nursing degree programs have a lot in common\u2014they lead students into caring, impactful careers in health and wellness. This causes many prospective students to wonder, \u201cCan you become a nurse with a Health Science degree?\u201d<\/p>\n

Well, yes and no. Both degrees\u2014Health Science and Nursing\u2014are foundational within the healthcare field. However, they are not interchangeable. Nursing and Health Science are each distinct degrees that provide opportunities for different career paths.<\/p>\n

Nursing degrees typically lead to patient-centered roles like Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse. Health Science degrees can qualify you for a range of research or leadership-based professions in healthcare. The best choice for you depends on your interests and career goals. Do you wish to work directly with patients, or behind the scenes in research or management?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s explore the differences between a Health Science vs. Nursing degree before deciding which program is right for you.<\/p>\n

Is nursing a health science?<\/h2>\n

Yes, nursing is generally considered a health science department, but it is distinct from a Health Science degree. Both are categorized under the broader healthcare industry umbrella.<\/p>\n

Nursing degree<\/h3>\n

Nursing requires a specialized degree that follows specific requirements and training to achieve licensing (LPN, RN, or APRN<\/a>, for example). Much of the curriculum within a Nursing degree program<\/a> intersects with health sciences. Both a Bachelor’s in Nursing, for example, and a Health Science degree offer a well-rounded understanding of human health, disease, and medical treatment. However, Nursing programs have more emphasis on clinical skills and direct patient care training.<\/p>\n

Health Science degree<\/h3>\n

Health Science is a dynamic degree<\/a> that can lead to a wide range of healthcare careers, including healthcare administration, medical technology, patient care advocacy, counseling, research, or even public health. A Health Science degree program tends to place greater emphasis on the operational side of healthcare than the patient or clinical side.<\/p>\n

Health Science vs. Nursing degree: The difference<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re still debating Health Science vs. Nursing, it boils down to this: Nursing, while under the health science umbrella, spends many curriculum hours focused on patient care<\/a>, while a Health Science degree focuses more curriculum<\/a> hours on health management, technology, and research.<\/p>\n

Each degree provides graduates with a different scope of skills and knowledge suitable for different career paths. Health Science degrees prepare graduates for the operational side of healthcare, while a Nursing degree will best prepare you for a hands-on career focused on patient care, even though you may dip in and out of administration and\/or leadership roles over the years.<\/p>\n

What can you do with a Health Science degree?<\/h2>\n

For those interested in the healthcare field from a birds-eye view, a Health Science degree is a versatile starting point<\/a> that offers a broad understanding of healthcare, thereby setting you up for an array of career options. Careers in healthcare are in constant demand and steadily rising, with about 1.9 million<\/a> openings projected each year over the coming decade.<\/p>\n

A Health Science degree can set you up for research, advocacy, education, counseling, administration, or even writing roles. Truly, the options with this degree are endless. Here are some of the most popular career outcomes of a Health Science degree:<\/p>\n

Health service management<\/h3>\n

Many Health Science degree graduates pursue a career in health service management. They are responsible for overseeing operations, which can include a range of duties from regulation compliance to quality control.<\/p>\n

Health office administration<\/h3>\n

Health office administration is similar to a health service manager. They handle day-to-day operations in a medical office, including billing, scheduling, and patient management.<\/p>\n

Health education<\/h3>\n

Health educators promote wellness in the community. They often create programs for public consumption to improve the community’s overall health or address an issue.<\/p>\n

Public health<\/h3>\n

People who hold office in the public health sphere work to improve population health. In this career, you could be researching health trends, advising on public health policy, and crafting health-focused campaigns.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Learn how to start your career in healthcare through Goodwin University<\/em><\/a><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Can I switch from health science to nursing (and how)?<\/h2>\n

Yes, you can absolutely switch from health science to nursing. With a great job outlook and the demand expected to rise 5% faster than the national average<\/a>, now is a great time to pursue a career in nursing, and a lot of skills are transferable. Plus, due to the crossover for required courses, it may be easier than you think to transfer schools or switch programs. If you’re ready to switch from a Health Science to Nursing degree, here\u2019s where you should focus:<\/p>\n