At a crossroads, need advice

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

Published

Hello everyone, I am turning to this forum for advice and input regarding potentially one of the most significant decisions of my life. Currently I have completed two years of college in working for prereqs to enter the nursing program. The program itself is two years for the RN, and is quite vigorous once admitted. At this point, I'm a shoe-in for entrance as I've passed all the required pre reqs, but recently a microbiology professor of mine has been talking to me about pursuing a somewhat different path. She has been talking about the great need for medical and clinical lab technicians, and how the pre reqs for this program are the exact same as the nursing. I have expressed concern before about my original decision to become a nurse, for a few reasons. One being the fact that over the years I have become less of a people person, and I honestly can't see myself sitting around and listening to the gossip and girly talk of the majority (not all) of my female coworkers (I'm a male). To me, a better fit seems to be sitting back in a lab, quietly and diligently working away doing my own thing, but still what I love. I've always been a bit of a geek at heart, and thoroughly enjoy discussing medical literature and new studies with likeminded people. It seems to be a good fit for me, but I am uncertain on the wages. I understand RNs do quite well, and although its not the main deciding factor, money is always influencial, especially in today's economy. It helps that the college is here in my home town, and I've been able to live here with my parents though. Really has cut down on the senseless and crazy high rent I would be paying if I was out on my own. But I understand, and look forward to the day when I'll have to move out. I just want to be ready and be able to support myself. If anyone has any input on this, or any real life experience it is much appreciated. Thank you all.

Specializes in ER, Addictions, Geriatrics.
Yeah, I know where I worked we used to always talk about which salon did the best Brazilian waxes. :rolleyes:

​

Had a rather lengthy discussion about this very topic today at work to be honest! Lol

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Research techs don't get paid squat.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in adult psych, LTC/SNF, child psych.

Just curious because I didn't see it (other than you aced your pre-reqs and the money is good) - why do you want to do nursing? Did you enjoy being a CNA?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Do the lab then. If it is hard for you to relay empathy, it is going to be very , VERY difficult to feel empathy for pts that are literally driving you crazy and you will lose your patience. Many pts are non-compliant, drug seekers,and just plain rude, it definitely is not all sunshine and roses. These people are usually chronically ill and that tends to make them depressed, crabby, and non-compliant , which is very frustrating to deal with when you are trying to help them. So if you just want to be left alone to work and are not much of a people person, work in a lab. You only really know yourself.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

P.S. What nurses get paid is far from fair for the work and the bs we put up with.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I do not think nursing is for you. Please go in the lab...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

As a male nursing student doing clinicals, nurses don't spend their day surfing the internet and gossiping. They don't have time for it. As for breaks and lunch, go down to the cafeteria. You don't need to spend your breaks in the breakroom. You give the impression that you will be the only male surrounded by women which is not true. There are a higher percentage of men graduating from nursing school each semester. There are also a higher percentage of male nurses in ER and ICU.

I considered going the medical lab technologist route instead of nursing, but decided that after a few years of doing the same lab test that I would get stagnant and bored without anywhere to progress to. Nursing has numerous different specialties including some that aren't even invented yet. It wasn't too long ago that Nursing Informatics didn't exist.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg/Ortho.

It sounds like you have already made up your mind. Med Tech is a decent field. I thought about it myself. The pay (around here) isn't much less than nurses. BUT, you have less room for advancement or switching specialties. The high end of your salary would cap off before a nurses. The schooling is more, a BS and then another year probably. (unless you are talking about a 2 year degree for a technician, then the schooling, and the pay, is a lot less).

I decided against it, because even though I enjoy lab work, love science, I know myself. I know I would get bored. I like how every day as a nurse would not only be a challenge, but be something different. The possibilities are endless.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

Here is my 2 cents. If I was young and had it all to do over again I would be a microbiologist. That area of expertise is truly fascinating to me and I love learning about disease and how it affects the body. My professor was great and she has traveled all over the world spending much of her time in Africa studying African Sleeping Sickness. It depends on what fascinates you. I am doing nursing because I don't have the time anymore to get my doctorate in micro which is what I would need to do what I want to do. I think this area would be great for me. I have no idea what a lab tech makes, I am assuming around the $15 an hour area. Nurses should and do make more because of what they do. They do a lot of hard, physical, labor which a lab tech doesn't and which is why they make more. At my school it is still a 2 year degree to be a lab tech. Just decide what your passion is and go for it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I was a phlebotomist, and I'm about to be a nurse (graduating in May, NCLEX in June, I hope), so I've spent some time in both fields. I can assure you that gossip is no less prevalent among CLSs (clinical lab scientists) than it is among nurses. Plus, CLSs are in one spot, always next to the same few people (usually you're focused on one department- micro, chemistry, hematology, blood bank, etc), so you're stuck whether you like them or not. At least as a nurse, you're always on the move.

CLSs also have very little room for growth- you can be a CLS or maybe a lab supervisor. To manage the lab, you need to be a pathologist, which requires medical school and then some. Pathologists are HIGHLY respected- they're the ones doctors go to when they can't figure something out. They're often not "people people," in my experience.

Nurses, generally, are busy. We're on the move. Even in units that some may think will be slow, that's not always the case. I've worked in health care for a long time, and I've seen work environments where people DO gossip a lot and work against each other, but also some where that's not the case. Every facility and unit has its own culture.

Nursing also offers a lot more room for growth and variety.

It's really up to you what you want to do, but it does sound like you've kind of made your mind up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Once you get into the Nursing program, you will realize there will be no time for "girly talk" at work. You will be getting your a** handed to you most of the time.

Also, good luck finding a job that pays decent working in a lab. A friend of mine has a BS biology with 8 years experience and the best she could fine was $10/hour at a community college lab. Yeah. SHe is a waitress now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment