[kelisehunter]

I want to know what the benefits and downfalls of being a nurse with an AA and a dental hygienist. I would appreciate it if you would be completely honest, because I'm still considering both. Why would you not be one and not the other. I enjoy working in a calm environment, but I always want to be challenged. I live in Orange County, California so the salary for the DH is a bit higher but that doesn't make much of a difference for me if I don't enjoy what I do. Any help would be great. Thank you!

[EricEnfermero]

Sometimes from the teeth I see (at a little distance) as a nurse - I couldn't imagine having to work inside those mouths. Nurses do gross things too though. Maybe it balances out.

[Daytonite]

My closest friend in nursing school was a dental hygienist making a career change. Her primary reason for leaving at the time was not being able to get enough work with one dentist. She found it difficult to find a second dentist who would only put her on for one or two days of work to bring her up to a full time salary. I also have a friend in one of my medical coding classes who is a dental hygienist who was having the same problem. We just did an extensive look at the career information with my niece who was deciding between a career in dental hygiene and radiology technology. The one overwhelming thing that impressed me was the high level of burn out in dental hygiene. Think about it. You're doing the same thing day after day. There isn't much variety or challenge in what they do. I talk with each of my dental hygienists about this, and believe me, they change pretty regularly although I've had the same dentist. Some who stay in the profession get involved in patient teaching, mostly with children, as adults who don't care for their teeth are pretty much a lost cause and only get their teeth cleaned because they absolutely have to. Have you checked out their professional association web site? I think you'll see a link to their teaching project there.

Here is a link to the U.S. Department of Labor Job Outlook information on Dental Hygienists. I see that part time employment is still a problem in this profession. http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos097.htm There is a link to their professional organization at the bottom of this web page.