Other medical careers?

[Skrawberri]

Hello everyone! I have posted around here before, so maybe I might seem familiar.. If not, well, I am a junior in highschool, and I WAS deciding on majoring in nursing in college. After reading alot on these boards, how much nurses make (truly pitiful), poor working conditions, etc.. Im not sure I want to do this my whole life any more. But I know that I want to go into the medical field, in some form. If I do go the nursing route, I'll be doing the CRNA schooling a couple years after.

But I wanted to ask... If you hadn't chosen nursing as a career, what would you like to be doing now? And another Q, what are some other medical professions that are more respected/well paid (other than MD.. 10 more years of school doesnt appeal to me)? Thanks so much! :)

[Dayray, RN]

Respirtory theripst is an option ( 2 year degree) make about the same as RN's

Surgical tech (1 year certificate) make a littel less then RN's

Physical theripst (master degree) make more then RN's

Phsican's assistant and nurse practitioner (masters degree) make more then RN's

cardio vascular tech (4 year degree i think) make more then RN's

radiology tech (2 year degree) make less then an RN

I personaly woudlent be happy doing any of these other then NP but if you don't like nurseing you woudl probebly be happier with one of these

[EFMBholder]

Skrawberri, I just want you to know through my experience as both an EMT, and an LPN you must be happy with what you do and if you get paid well it is a bonus. I am also an LPN for the Army. I find the pay not too great but not too bad either. Believe me I am not suggesting for you to runout and join up, but we do have a 20k sign on bonus for the enlisted side(LPN) and for your RN we definately have alot of scholarships. Most of the brand new RNs I know start out at about $2097 per month to start. Again it is not for everyone, but if you are up for the challenge and the numerous rewards it is worth it. If you are after fame and fortune you picked the wrong career field.

All bleeding eventually stops and all rythms eventually become recognizable

[ageless]

I would have chosen ultasound technician...

Ultrasound techs provide patient services in a variety of medical settings in which the physician is responsible for the use and interpretation of ultrasound procedures. The medical sonographer is able to obtain ultrasound images by the use of equipment that sends high-frequency sound waves into areas of the patient's body, which then creates reflected echoes collected to form an image on a screen. This diagnostic data in the form of an image is then interpreted by a physician.

Average Salary*

$35,500-- $56,000

Educational Requirements*

People interested in becoming an ultrasound technician should have a high school diploma or an equivalent. There are one, two, and four year programs depending on the degree awarded.

[PennyLane, RN]

I know of someone who is an ultrasound tech and makes a pretty penny--around 100K. But then again, she may just work her a$$ off and work around the clock. I think you can choose how much or how little you work.

[sjoe]

I'd go with ultrasound tech, myself, if 1) I had it to do over again, and 2) wanted to work in health care providing direct services.

[Pretzlgl]

Pharmacist

[melissa24]

I have always felt that if I could do it all over again, I would like to have been a pharmacist.

[arlheart]

I have been a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) for 8 years now. Working in our Cath Lab we make the same money as a nurse, since we are all cross trained. I am in nursing school now, because as an RCIS, I can only work in a Cath Lab. Being a nurse, the opportunities are virtually endless. You can go practically anywhere and be able to find a job. That's one of the reasons I decided to become a nurse, I don't want to be constrained to one job for my entire life. In fact, for the last two years I have been a database administrator in our QA department tracking patient outcomes. I just miss patient contact too much to stay behind a computer. If you want a lot of flexibility and rewarding career, go with nursing!

[Q.]

Originally posted by Dayray

Respirtory theripst is an option ( 2 year degree) make about the same as RN's

Surgical tech (1 year certificate) make a littel less then RN's

Physical theripst (master degree) make more then RN's

Phsican's assistant and nurse practitioner (masters degree) make more then RN's

cardio vascular tech (4 year degree i think) make more then RN's

radiology tech (2 year degree) make less then an RN

I personaly woudlent be happy doing any of these other then NP but if you don't like nurseing you woudl probebly be happier with one of these

I found this interesting that all those professions you listed who make more than RNs, have higher degree requirements than RNs. Hmmm. Connection?

[sjoe]

re: pharmacist.

from what I have been reading the past few years, this may not be so wise a choice as it used to be. grocery chains, HMOs, hospital chains, discount stores, etc. are hiring these people and paying them relatively small salaries for high-quantity, high-production type jobs. pharm techs are doing a lot of work that pharmacists used to do (does this all sound strangely familiar?).

many smaller drug stores have been closing and there are fewer and fewer opportunities for pharmacists to start their own businesses and truly control their own practices.

so I'd make a point of interviewing several different kinds of pharmacists before committing to this 5-year college program.

[Pretzlgl]

My brother is a Pharmacist in Florida - a relatively low paying state. He works at Walgreens and had no trouble finding a job. In fact he works overtime frequently because they are so short staffed. He makes almost 90,000 a year. I interviewed at hospitals in that area a month ago - every facility was hiring Pharmacists. (By the way, alot of programs are now 6 years instead of 5).