[ILuvMyKittyKat&Gerbs]

HI! I will be graduating soon and am curious about what career YOU think might be better for someone like me.

Dental Hygienist:
Pros:
flexible scheduling
less stress
good-excellent pay
overall nice atmosphere
relatively clean
not having to worry about killing someone (no offense meant)
less female-like politics (I'm female BTW)
less "upper politics"
I'll be somewhat respected
Many areas I could work
not having to worry too much about being sued over something dumb

Cons:
repetitive motions causing debilitating permanent problems
mostly no benefits compared to Nursing which has lots of benefits
limited with the field

Important Differences:
not nearly as many advancement oppurtunites compared to Nursing
not as easy to find a job compared to Nursing
nowhere near as 'limitless' compared to Nursing
I don't know if I could spiritually 'touch' that many people compared to Nursing (this is important to me)


I know it looks like I already have my mind made up but I don't. Please give me your insight. Perhaps some of you even know a dental hygienist? I don't know which career would be better in the long run.

Free virtual beer and balloons to all people who reply!

PS. Any other BSN health careers that you suggest?

[Marie_LPN]

less stress
less female-like politics
I'll be somewhat respected
not having to worry about killing someone
less "upper politics"
not having to worry too much about being sued over something dumb

There's a few things on your pros list for dental hygiene that a few of my dental hygiene friends have listed as their own cons for their line of work.

[ILuvMyKittyKat&Gerbs]

""There's a few things on your pros list for dental hygiene that a few of my dental hygiene friends have listed as their own cons for their line of work.""

Really? I'll be the first to admit that I'm very naive in the 'real-world.' But, might I ask, which items and why?

[ILuvMyKittyKat&Gerbs]

Also, are they happy in their career choice?

[rjbaileyrn]

No offense, but I don't even see any comparison between the two. I couldn't imagine a worse job than the dental thing, although , of course, it's a necessary one. The opportunities in Nursing are endless, ER, Flight Nursing, Trauma, ICU's, Travel Nursing, Not to mention the money issue. Most travel RN's with a decent company are making on up to $100K per year.
RJ

[Marie_LPN]

Originally Posted by ILuvMyKittyKat&Gerbs

""There's a few things on your pros list for dental hygiene that a few of my dental hygiene friends have listed as their own cons for their line of work.""

Really? I'll be the first to admit that I'm very naive in the 'real-world.' But, might I ask, which items and why?

I quoted them in my post.

[ILuvMyKittyKat&Gerbs]

Originally Posted by rjbaileyrn

No offense, but I don't even see any comparison between the two. I couldn't imagine a worse job than the dental thing, although , of course, it's a necessary one. The opportunities in Nursing are endless, ER, Flight Nursing, Trauma, ICU's, Travel Nursing, Not to mention the money issue. Most travel RN's with a decent company are making on up to $100K per year.
RJ

No offense taken. Like I said I'm naive, so what do naive people do, ask you guys!! It is I who hopes not to offend any of you.

I keep reading that most RNs don't make much money (~40k), and that education isn't rewarded either, and that the pay peaks. I'm just trying to understand it all.

[Marie_LPN]

Originally Posted by ILuvMyKittyKat&Gerbs

Also, are they happy in their career choice?

They're in nursing school.

[ILuvMyKittyKat&Gerbs]

Originally Posted by Marie_LPN

I quoted them in my post.

My bad. Sorry.

[ILuvMyKittyKat&Gerbs]

Originally Posted by Marie_LPN

They're in nursing school.

I don't know if I want to laugh or worry, but, that is definately interesting. Would you perhaps share with me their reasons transitioning?