If you could do it over again, would you choose nursing?

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Hello everyone!

I am so confused! I have the option of starting a LVN program or a radiology technologist program in the fall, and I absolutely don't know which one to choose. In so many ways, I feel that radiology would be a better fit, because rad techs seem to have good schedules most of the time (Mon-Fri, 8-5). Also, I am really interested in sonography, so I could pursue that after the radiology program.

BUT-nursing is also something I can see myself doing! I am always visiting this website because I love it, but along with that I have read many many posts about lots of nurses regretting becoming nurses. I want to make the right career decision!! I don't know what to do.

So, what do you think? If you had to do it all over again, would you choose nursing? Please give me some advice on which path to choose. I really need some help.

:uhoh3: :uhoh3: :uhoh3:

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In all honesty, knowing then what I know now...probably not. What would I do instead? Maybe information technology, or business. Something that would have allowed me to make and keep a decent living and a family life. I wish I had back all the missed school events and kid's milestones.

On the other hand they say the devil you know is better than the devil you don't. I make a decent wage, have no say in my life at work, and am at the mercy of a mangament team who imho in woefully out of touch. As long as I'm a Stepford Nurse, I should be safe.

Maybe I'm really tired today and need a vacation. Unfortunately, I can't afford to take one.

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Absolutely.

Being a nurse allowed me to work off shifts and weekends while I was home with my kids during the day. It allowed me to experience and move to different areas and move different things. I've been blessed to work with wonderful people and not so blessed to work with not-so-wonderful people, but it all evens out in the end.

Nursing gives something that other professions can't. That's not to say that other professions don't have their own unique thing, but nursing is portable, ever present and will always be a part of me. If it wasn't for nursing, I would not have met my husband (a co-worker turned friend introduced us) and I would not be living the life I am.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Yes indeed. I was in broadcasting for 10 years (both in the Navy and as a civilian) and hated every second of it. I've been a nurse for 15 years now. Do I get up and the sun is shining and the birds are chirping and life is grand every day? Nope. However, life is great more days than not and that is what is important.

My only advice is to go the BSN route FIRST. I did the LPN to ADN to BSN to MSN to post-MSN route and whew - what a lot of work and money. Getting the BSN first would have solved a lot of problems. Good luck.

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well here is my advice...nursing has more job oportunities and flexability than rad tech. Rad tech has decent hours and several modalities you can do but nursing has more choices. If you can see your self doing both I would choose rad tech over LVN. If it was between RN and rad tech then that is harded to choose.I have been working as a radiology nurse and nurse practitioner for 9 years I love the field and it has potential for nurses as well as rad techs. if after school you want to further your education you can always pull night shift as a rad tech which usually has more down time than that of a nurse to give you a chance to go back to school. if ultrasound is your true interest in diagnostic imaging there are some schools you can go to without being a xray tech.

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Specializes in A myriad of specialties.

If I had a chance to do it again----absolutely not---I would not have chosen nursing; I'd have continued with my Master's study in Speech Pathology--the pay is pretty close to what I make now and the hours are much better! If I were in your shoes with the choices you have, I'd choose the radiology technology program (the shift hours are usually dayshift I assume). It sounds like a fascinating program. Good luck with your decision.

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Do over? Absolutely not.

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Specializes in long term care, med-surg, PACU, Pre-Op.

Yes, as any job it has its ups and downs. It is one of the few degrees where you can find a job and have decent wages right out of school. Although radiology sounds interesting also, you could always work as an RN in radiology, although usually you can't work in radiology right out of school, only after you have some experience. The thing with nursing is finding what your niche is, which you will sometimes know right away or find after working in a few departments. I can say, now that I've found an area I like I can usually look forward to going to work.

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Specializes in Brain injury,vent,peds ,geriatrics,home.

oH FOR SURE!!Although Ive always known Iwanted to be a nurse.The best profession if youre a mother,the flexibility is great.The money is decent.

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radiology techs also work 24/7, although presumably they mostly work days and might be on call for the ER, OR, ICU situations that can't wait.

US does offer better pay.

Not sure how to advise you but wish you well in your decision. Maybe you could do both?

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

I went from EMT to RN

The CFD had just been on strike, it didn't look like there would be openings for awhile. Job market was tight.

I wish I'd have gone in as a paramedic. By now I would be retired with 20 years service.

And would now be on my second career as a relatively new RN

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Specializes in Utilization Review.

That would be no.

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