I have to switch out of Nursing Because of Grades? What Field Now?

peytonsmom · Apr 1, 2009

I live in the Toledo area and I know around here most of our MA's work in Dr's office and make between $11-$12/hr. My SIL is an MA w/ several years of exerpience and makes around $12/hr at a dr's office.

I do not know much about HIT though so I can't help you there.

llg, PhD, RN · Apr 1, 2009

I would start by asking yourself, "What do I enjoy studying?" "What am I good at?" Then go from there.

In order to succeed in any health profession, you are going to have to improve your grades. So, you need to identify what those subjects are that interest you the most and that you would be willing and able to work hard to master. If your heart is not in your school work, it will be hard to get the higher grades you will need.

I'd also do a thorough assessment of why your grades are not higher. Did you over-load yourself with work so that you did not have enough time to devote to your schoolwork? Were you simply not interested in those classes and therefore did not do your best? Do you need to develop better study skills and/or more discipline in your study habits? Do you need to do some remedial work before you tackle college-level work? Be brutally honest with yourself.

It's sometimes painful to do that sort of thorough assessment ... but I wouldn't invest more money in college classes until you feel confident that you have good answers to the questions I asked above -- and have adequately addressed any problems that assessment revealed. Whatever the problems have been in the past, you can probably improve the situation. Then and only then will you be ready to start down a new career path.

Good luck to you in whatever you decide.

BenjaminBrand · Apr 1, 2009

I did overload and did not realize how difficult the A&P class would actually be but in the same token, I am now prepared as in classes like Med Term and my other health classes I have mostly high B's and a few A's. I have listed the only C's I have. So basically in the health field if you are not going into a limited enrollment program there is no chance of making decent money?

Thanks,

morte, LPN, LVN · Apr 1, 2009

well, lots of variable.....unless they are telling you to change why would you? are you enrolled full time or working prereqs.....if the latter, "redo" A+P on your own time then go on to A+P II when you have a better grasp of the subject matter.....unless you simply dont want to continue pursuing nursing......the MA route def. will not meet your financial needs......the IT course i have no clue.....but the college should be able to give you examples of graduates and the jobs they have been able to obtain.

BenjaminBrand · Apr 1, 2009

I looked into it, it seems like PTA was my best choice as you are only required B- in science courses. I hate to go all the way out to Allen Park but it works.

morte, LPN, LVN · Apr 1, 2009

what is a PTA?

duh, as soon as i hit submit, i knew....lol physical therapy assistant....

but you hadnt listed that in your original post, so you lost me....

to be a PT is now a doctoral level.....so goog luck on advancing,,,,

jagtag · Apr 1, 2009

I know that you stated you didn't want to retake certain classes. However, if studying nursing is your passion, don't settle because you will never be satisfied. Perhaps you may take a repeat course online? jm:twocents:. If you don't go after your dream, there will always be regrets. I had to retake AP1, because I had earned a C and was unable to apply to our program when I wanted to. I currently have an A, and will be able to apply this summer. Not bragging, just saying that achieving my dream is worth it, as I'm sure it is to you as well. Hope I gave some helpful words. Keep encouraged it definitely can be done.

tfleuter, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2009

Seems like a shame that you would remove yourself from one career choice b/c you are unwillingly to retake a semester's worth of classes. In the grand scheme of things, what is another 4 months compared to the 35+ working years you have left?

Paywise, a PTA will make more than you make now, but what if you want to advance? One of the things that lead me to nursing was the endless possibilities that are out there to pursue. One can go from CNA to LPN to RN in steps if pursing a full time 4 yr degree is not desirable/possible. From there you can specialize or go on to advanced nursing degrees all the way up to a doctorate level. If I become a RN and decide that I don't care for bedside nursing, I still have many options available to me that don't cause me to competely change careers and start over. I know very little about PTA's, but I would assume the same opportuniteis aren't available. Just something to think about! Good luck on what ever you choose!

O2BNRN · Apr 3, 2009

My younger sister got her degree in Health Info Tech. and she works in a hospital (which pays more than private offices) and still only makes like $12. an hour. I'm sure the pay is different in different parts of the country (she lives in Texas) but most of the fields you mentioned are pretty low paying jobs. Good luck with whatever you decide!!!!

tfleuter, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2009

So basically in the health field if you are not going into a limited enrollment program there is no chance of making decent money?

Yes and no. There are for profit private schools that can get you into their nursing program right away and w/out any competition, but you will be paying $$$$ for these and some have questionable accreditations (not that you won't be able to sit for the NCLEX, but that if you want to pursue a higher degree, their credits won't transfer.)

Rather, a lot more people are applying for nursing programs over say medical assistanting programs b/c they know what the pay difference is between the two and would rather pay for schooling in a career that can comfortably support them. This leads to more applicants then seats available, thus limited enrollment programs.

mdp0105 · Apr 3, 2009

i would recommend taking A & P I over again this summer, if you can. if you only take that course and already have some knowledge, i am sure you can pull your grade up. perhaps you could also try to take it at a community college because they tend to have more evening classes and are less expensive. good luck!!