>>Registered Nurse or Dental Hygienist?<<

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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.

:beer:Free virtual beer and balloons to all people who reply! :balloons: :p

PS. Any other BSN health careers that you suggest?

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

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.

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""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?

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Also, are they happy in their career choice?

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Specializes in ER, Flight Nursing.

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

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
""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.

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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!!:clown: 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.:specs:

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
Also, are they happy in their career choice?

They're in nursing school.

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I quoted them in my post.

My bad. Sorry.

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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?

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

They wanted more opportunities for advancement.

A job that could go anywhere.

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Specializes in OB, lactation.

My stepsister and a couple of other people I know have pursued dental hygiene, basically for the reasons you listed: good money, no nights/holidays/weekends, etc.

I thought about it because the advantages are pretty good, but it just boiled down to the fact that it wasn't what I wanted to do each day. I'm kinda funny about teeth - even though I do gross stuff in nursing, cleaning teeth just sounds nasty to me. LOL

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