Accounting and nursing seem to be two very different fields that have nothing in common, which is true to some extent. Accounting is a field of study that focuses on managing financial transactions, recording them, and reporting them in a formal manner. Meanwhile, nursing is the field of study in which a person specializes in assisting doctors, diagnosis, treatment, and taking care of patients. Both fields are professional and highly technical.
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The Differences:
Accounting | Nursing |
This degree is suitable for people having knack for mathematical skills. | Nursing degree is suitable for people who are empathetic and cares for other people. |
It takes four years to complete the full degree program. | It takes two years only to complete associate degree program. |
Introvert people usually opt for this degree program. | Extrovert people mainly opt for this program. |
It is related to administrative studies. | It is related to medical studies. |
Statistics:
According to a study, public accounting was the 5th highest paying degree in the United States in 2019-20, showing the importance of having an accountancy degree.
Another study showed the distribution of nursing assistants in nursing homes in the United States by their highest education as of 2018. According to the data, 41 percent of nursing assistants had at least a high school graduate level of education. The percentage shows a high demand for nursing degrees in the job market.
Major Degrees Offered in Accounting vs Nursing:
Major degree types offered in both fields are:
Accounting | Nursing |
Bachelor of Accountancy | Diploma in Practical Nursing |
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Accounting | Associate of Science in Nursing |
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Accounting | LPN to ASN Bridge Program |
Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) in Accounting. | Accelerated BSB Nursing Program |
Major Courses in Accounting vs Nursing:
Every degree offers some majors in the complete course path of the degree. The major courses in accounting and nursing are:
Accounting | Nursing |
Cost Accounting | Nursing Administration |
Government Accounting | Nursing Practice |
Marketing | Nursing Science |
Management | Nursing Anesthetist |
Economics | Critical Care Nursing |
Finance | Diagnosis |
Auditing | Bio-Medical Lab Handling |
Earning Prospects:
According to a study conducted by The United States Bureau of Labor Studies, the median pay of accountants in 2019 was $71,550 per year. This handsome salary makes it a flourishing profession for students.
On the other hand, the annual salary of nurses in 2019 was $73,300. This gives them equal importance to students.
Skills in Accounting vs Nursing:
A person opting for accounting focuses on reasoning including mathematical and financial statements, basic and advanced calculations, and analyzing financial law to make financial transcriptions and calculations. There’s a general notion that accounting is a hard job, as it involves lots of critical thinking and mental math.
Nursing, on the other hand, requires very different skills. It uses scientific knowledge and observation to understand scientific principles, ethical considerations to be applied in clinical settings, empathy, compassion, and nursing abilities to handle medications properly. It would definitely not be wrong to say that this is the job for people with a golden heart.
Job Prospects:
A person can get a job in various organizations after completing his accounting degree. Those fields could be management, administration, banking or finance sector, or the stock market. The types of jobs a person can do in these sectors are auditor, chief accountant, analyzer, manager, controller, finance manager, budget analyst, financial consultant, etc.
A person having a nursing degree can have a job in hospitals, or in organizations privately providing services to people in need. They can also be counselors, education teachers, therapists, health service managers, health visitors, health nurses, adult nurses, etc.
Universities Offering a Degree in Accounting:
Some of the universities offering a degree program in accounting are:
Maryville University:
Program Offered: Online Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Ranking: 196th in National Ranking
Florida Atlantic University:
Program Offered: Online BBA- Accounting
Ranking: 272nd in National Ranking
Northern State University:
Program Offered: Master Degree in Accounting Analytics
Ranking: 80th in National Ranking
Eastern New Mexico University:
Program Offered: Online Bachelor of Business Administration
Ranking: 95th -124th in Regional Ranking
Universities Offering a Degree in Nursing:
Eastern University:
Program Offered: Master of Science in Nursing
Ranking: 83rd in Regional Universities
Wichita State University:
Program Offered: BSc in Nursing – RN to BSN (Online)
Ranking: 298th
Rutgers University-New Brunswick:
Program Offered: Master of Science in Nursing
Ranking: 63rd in National Universities
South Dakota State University:
Program Offered: Nursing – Accelerated (B.S.)
Ranking: 801st in World Ranking
Conclusion:
Based on the many varying characteristics, it would not be wrong to say that these two fields are very different and are both full of new experiences. Does a person’s chosen field depend on their personal inclination? Well, a person’s choice could be based on their mental abilities, their compassion, and care for others, or earning prospects. Whatever the factor may be, one thing is certain: both accounting and nursing are very rewarding career paths.
Christina Lyon is the author of this educational blog and she is involved with student’s life and education. She has a passion for writing articles related to education including Degrees, Diplomas, exams, students’ experience, and her prime objective is to support worldwide students by answering all their FAQs through this blog.
