From Nursing to Dentistry (DDS)

[TurismoDreamin]

So I've come to the conclusion that nursing just is not for me. I hate the work and am overall, just not very happy with where I am at in terms of a career. Mind you, I am currently a student still in school but working in the hospital part-time. I am in my senior year in school and plan on graduating from a BSN program soon.

I have been told that nurses have taken this route before, using the Bachelors they earned in nursing to take their next step into dentistry. I just need to hear it from someone else. Has anyone else gone through this experience? What was your transition into dentistry like? Thanks in advance!

[caliotter3]

I have not done this. I just wanted to encourage you to obtain the license after you graduate and maintain it, because you never know what life may bring you.

[Iam46yearsold]

An ex gf of mine did that. She is always looking forward to new things. She does all my work now.

[truern]

My dentist is an RN

He was in the military when he became a dentist.

[just_cause, BSN, RN]

Have you looked at the natural science requirements for DDS? Most of the pre-reqs are in addition to the normal BSN classes.. ie full year bio,full year o-chem, full year chem, etc.

It is totally doable.. but you can do it with ANY BA/BS - provided you get the pre-reqs required and do well on the DAT - their standardized testing format.

v/r

[josinda421]

Have anyone heard of anybody going from nursing to social work? How big of a change is it. How is the stress level compared to nursing. And do Social work make as much as nurses?

[just_cause, BSN, RN]

Social workers pretty much do not get paid much.... look up some local jobs. Look at the pre-reqs and the education requirements - it is much less 'science' based.... depending on where you work and with whom and how you personally react to things will make it less/more stressful. I have friends doing social work and they would not advocate doing it for the money..lol.

[firechalice]

Wish I could do it! Kinda stuck in this thing right now. My situation sounds much like yours. I wish it were so easy. I may not get out of nursing but I will get out of the hospital and bedside care. Dentistry. 9-5. Mon-Fri. Holidays off. :lol_hitti Why didn't I think of this before?

[LaneyB]

It seems like where I work the social workers are often in danger of being laid off, and they do not make much money. I considered social work when I started college, but then talked to too many social workers who warned me that the work is pretty depressing, and they don't make much.

I think the nurse to dentist idea is great. Good luck.

[meluhn]

My sister is a social worker in NJ--typically a high paying state, she works for the county and makes less than 45K/yr. She has a masters in sw.

[tfleuter, BSN, RN]

From the very few social workers I know, pay is pretty low and burn out is very high. It seems to me if you have an honest to goodness passion for it, you might consider it, but anything less...forget it. Just from what little I have heard from those in the trenches so take it for what it's worth :)

I should also add that I think the jump from RN to DDS is very intriguing! The microbiology class I am in right now has several pre-dental students and I enjoy listening to them talk about the process of applying to various dental schools, interviews and such. You can feel the excitment in their conversations and I like to learn about various career options in the healthcare field.

[cherryfirecracker]

Were you always planning on a post-graduate degree? Any school of dentistry is four more years of schooling if you already have your science classes finished. Certainly, I'm not trying to dissuade you, but it is a big commitment for both time, money, and attention. I'm a dental hygienist transitioning to nursing. I've been in the dental field for over 10 years and it is repetitive, back-breaking work. Not to mention if you own your practice is it managing your own business and all that entails. Good luck to you! That is an entirely different career path for sure!