Dental Hygienist turning Nurse (hopefully)

PJ,BSDH · Jul 19, 2009

I was doing a search, "how to turn a bachelor of dental hygiene into a registered nurse" and found this web site. wow! I too feel stagnant in my line of work and want more opportunities. I don't know where I need to start. I have an RDH and BSDH and I reside in Portland, OR, graduated 2004. What do you think I have to do to complete an RN degree? Like in years? I will be checking the local colleges to see what I need. Any of you that has made the transition, how do the ciriculums feel as far as difficulty? Any advise?

beachgirl17 · Jul 21, 2009

PJ, BSDH,

Look into Accelerated BSN programs. I, too, have a bachelor degree in dental hygiene. I graduated in 2004, worked for three years full-time. I started thinking, 'I don't know if I want to do this for the next ten years...I want more options.' I got accepted into accelerated BSN program in '07, graduated Dec. '08 (it was a year and a half program), and now have been working as a RN since Jan. Accelerated programs are usually more expensive (lots more than community college), but you are done quicker and with a bachelor degree.

When I miss hygiene, I just pick up a day at my old job. It keeps my DH license and skills up-to-date, but I work full-time as RN now. So far I do not regret my decision and I feel I have many more options in life. Good luck!

PJ,BSDH · Jul 22, 2009

Dear beachgirl17,

Thanks for your reply. I found a little bit about the Accelerated BSN degree. I also saw something about a Masters in nursing. I would like to know what state you reside in and if you feel that this move improved you financially or how it has benefited you. I am frustrated dealing with some of the DMDs and their "God" complex and their lack of skill to manage their businesses. I also an a licensed esthetician and was hoping to combine them into a dental spa or something.

Anxious to hear back from you.

RDH1, ADN, BSN, RN · Jul 22, 2009

Beachgirl17,

I'm so glad to hear from a hygienist who has actually become an RN! I know of others like myself who are in nursing school, but don't know anyone who has already made the transition.

I'll be done with my RN in May 2010. I'm in an accelerated program also. I feel the same way about hygiene that you did. I don't want to give it up completely however. I think I would like to sub on occasion.

Is nursing way way harder than hygiene? All my classmates think it will be (they are not hygienists obviously- they think all hygienists do is sit in a chair and pick teeth), but until you've walked a day in a hygienist's shoes, I don't think anybody realizes what we do and have to put up with. I am liking the fast pace of clinicals and the hospital environment so far. I like to critically think, and with hygiene it's too much of the same thing over and over. I am excited about the opportunities I will have when I graduate!

Thanks for your input!

RDHVCU · Jul 23, 2009

I am glad I found this thread! I have been debating whether to go into nursing (I am looking to eventually do a nurse practicioner or CRNA program). I love hygiene but I feel it is stagnant as well and am looking further on down the road if my body will be able to keep up with the daily stressors of hygiene...not to say nursing isn't stressful I just like the options later down the road (when I get to be an old fart ) I feel I am young enough now to take the risk for change..I just want to also make sure I am making a good choice for a move, I am hoping for better benefits in the future and more room to move up and progress...any opinions or advice is much welcomed!

beachgirl17 · Jul 28, 2009

RDH1,

Honestly, I think nursing is overall harder than hygiene, but it is also more satisfying. I agree people think hygienists just "pick" teeth, but there is a lot more to it. Hygiene and nursing can look the same to the public, because they see the tasks we are completing, but do not understand the thinking and planning involved. Physically, I feel that nursing is more difficult for sure! My feet ache! Although now when I work hygiene, I think...oh my back! Haha! I try to remember to sit up!

At first in school, I was able to think "ok this isn't much different than hygiene." Now when I compare the two...it is apples to oranges. I love nursing and hygiene, but they are different and I love them for different reasons. I plan on working both for a long time, but now I feel I have lots of freedom in career choices.

RDHVCU, You sound like me when I was trying to decide what to do. I just decided to go for it now when I am still young. My opinion is that getting additional education is never a bad thing. If you decide to pursue nursing, I wish you luck!

Wishing you both much luck!:nuke:

beachgirl17 · Jul 28, 2009

PJ, BSDH,

Sorry I forgot the check this thread for several days!

I live in South Carolina. I was lucky that I worked for a wonderful dentist and I was overall happy. I just had that feeling like, "I don't know if I want to do this forever." My other hygiene friends have said they have felt the same.

Financially, I am making about the same as a nurse as I was a hygienist. In SC, I would say that the wages are lower than the are nationally. There are big salary differences in nursing nationally, just like there is in hygiene. For me, it is about the same, but I have incurred debt because of school. I try to think of my school debt as "good debt" and think positive that I will pay it off as quick as possible. SC unemployment is terrible right now, so I am very thankful that I got a nursing job right away and plus, I can still work my old hygiene job when I am needed.

The decision was kind of scary to make. I had a good job with benefits and a good boss. I didn't tell anyone what my plan was until I got into school. Now I am on good terms with my old job and I still keep my hygiene skills up.

As for the "God" complex, well...I think it depends on where you work. I work in a teaching hospital and so far the doctors have been great.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Dental Hygienist · Aug 1, 2009

Count me in the club too! I'm a RDH who graduated in 2004 and decided to go back to nursing school to expand my career opportunities and for many of the reasons others have described.

I actually got accepted to a local nursing program and was supposed to start January 5th, 2009. Then I found out I was pregnant and decided I couldn't quit my full time hygiene job with benefits at this time now that I've got a family to think about. Was a tough decision, but I think it was the right one for our family. Anways...I'm kinda sad about that especially because most of my nursing pre-requisites will expire in 1 year or less and so that makes the "dream" a lot farther off than it was before.

But, I still follow this thread with interest...I can't believe there are so many of us RDHs who want to become RNs!

RDHVCU · Aug 25, 2009

Count me in the club too! I'm a RDH who graduated in 2004 and decided to go back to nursing school to expand my career opportunities and for many of the reasons others have described.
I actually got accepted to a local nursing program and was supposed to start January 5th, 2009. Then I found out I was pregnant and decided I couldn't quit my full time hygiene job with benefits at this time now that I've got a family to think about. Was a tough decision, but I think it was the right one for our family. Anways...I'm kinda sad about that especially because most of my nursing pre-requisites will expire in 1 year or less and so that makes the "dream" a lot farther off than it was before.
But, I still follow this thread with interest...I can't believe there are so many of us RDHs who want to become RNs!

Good for you!!! I wish you the best! I actually have decided to get on the ball and take some more of the prereq's I need to get into an accelerated nursing prog. I think I am going to go for NP or CRNA. (Id love to do CRNA, if I can get in). I think you are making the right decision too. Just think further down the line what you can do with a nursing degree as opposed to hygiene...and all the great docs you will meet to take care of your expanding family!!!

RDHVCU · Aug 25, 2009

RDH1,
Honestly, I think nursing is overall harder than hygiene, but it is also more satisfying. I agree people think hygienists just "pick" teeth, but there is a lot more to it. Hygiene and nursing can look the same to the public, because they see the tasks we are completing, but do not understand the thinking and planning involved. Physically, I feel that nursing is more difficult for sure! My feet ache! Although now when I work hygiene, I think...oh my back! Haha! I try to remember to sit up!
At first in school, I was able to think "ok this isn't much different than hygiene." Now when I compare the two...it is apples to oranges. I love nursing and hygiene, but they are different and I love them for different reasons. I plan on working both for a long time, but now I feel I have lots of freedom in career choices.
RDHVCU, You sound like me when I was trying to decide what to do. I just decided to go for it now when I am still young. My opinion is that getting additional education is never a bad thing. If you decide to pursue nursing, I wish you luck!
Wishing you both much luck!:nuke:

Is there any area that you would suggest specializing in? I am really thinking about going for NP or CRNA. I feel like nursing will be more satisfying for me as well. I definently feel that people just think we "pick teeth", I feel like I need some more appreciation than that

beachgirl17 · Sep 1, 2009

RDHVCU, I went into nursing not really sure of what I wanted to do, but knew I wanted a career change. During school, I changed my mind many times about what to specialize in. In the end, I decided to do med-surg for now. I am not sure if I want to get my NP or not. I want kids and I am not sure about juggling babies and school. I think NP or CRNA are great choices! Wishing you luck!

jodib4 · Oct 25, 2010

I too am a dental hygienist who desperately wants out of this career!! I am beginning to look into nursing and I am a little discouraged by the amount of people who say how absolutely hard nursing school is. I would really love some input from someone who is a hygienist and how they think nursing school was compared to hygiene school. I have 4 children and so will have to continue to work while in school. I made it through hygiene school with 2 kids and getting pregnant first semester. Where there is a will, there is a way. I'm just scared that it may be too much for me. Any advice would be great!! Thanks!!!