If nursing wasn't an option...

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Specializes in B.S. Psychology.

What other healthcare field would you pursue and why?

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Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

We would all have quite different answers reflecting our own individual desires, strengths, and weaknesses. What makes me happy as an alternate career choice probably wouldn't make you happy. I would suggest one career for you to investigate.

I've read many of your threads, and I think it sounds like you are interested in health-care, and you have a strong desire to help others - but from a distance, meaning without physical patient contact (example, odors), etc that go along with nursing.

My closest female friend is a hospice social worker. She's also a licensed therapist. I look at what she does, and it makes me think this might be an idea for you. She is immersed in health-care since she works at an inpatient hospice. However, she is hands-off when it comes to physical patient contact. She uses her skills to help and bring comfort. I think you've mentioned you wish to do this.

It's probably frustrating that you'd have to obtain an MSW (grad school) to work as a medical social worker and earn the same amount as an associates degree RN. Thing is - RNs make what they do for a reason. Many cannot handle the work and its stressers.

Anyway, from reading your thoughts in your threads, medical social worker keeps coming to mind. That would fit well with your undergrad psych degree as well. Good luck.

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What other healthcare field would you pursue and why?

I will be doing PA or CRNA a.s.a.p. Nursing is a great way to see what those professionals do in the real world and make good money/get help with tuition while finishing prerequisites, etc.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

I, too, have read many of your threads and they all have a common theme. You are curious but don't know which way to go.

If you are interested in nursing, why not try and shadow a nurse? See if this is the direction you wish to go. You must start somewhere. I think it's time.....

Good luck.

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Specializes in ER, PACU, Med-Surg, Hospice, LTC.

A Sonographer!!!!!

I think this looks like a wonderful occupation (for my personality anyway). Quiet, one-on-one, great hours and excellent pay! I've become great friends with a Sonographer at my hospital and he absolutely loves his job! Compared to other employees that I chat with in the facility, he really seems to be the most content with his chosen occupation.

Sonographers can choose to work in clinics, hospitals, private practice physician offices, public health facilities, laboratories, and other medical settings performing examinations in their areas of specialization. Career advancement opportunities exist in education, administration, research, and in commercial companies as education/application specialists, sales representatives, technical advisors, etc.

According to the SDMS Salary and Benefits Survey report (released March, 2005), the median salary for sonographers is $61,984. This income includes:

1) hourly salary

2) overtime and

3) on-call pay.

The typical hourly pay rate is $29, and the number of overtime hours worked per week by sonographers is 3. The typical on-call pay rate is $3.00 per hour, and the call-in rate of pay is $42 per hour.

Comprehensive Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs vary in length from one to four years depending on the degree or certificate awarded.

GOOD LUCK!

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MD that's what I was going to do originally so back to medical school for me.

Although that sonographer deal does look pretty tempting...hmm.

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Specializes in B.S. Psychology.
I, too, have read many of your threads and they all have a common theme. You are curious but don't know which way to go.

If you are interested in nursing, why not try and shadow a nurse? See if this is the direction you wish to go. You must start somewhere. I think it's time.....

Good luck.

Thanks, Iris. I have set up a shadow experience with a Pediatric Nurse and an Occupational Therapy Assistant for two weeks from now. This is going to be a second career to me, so I really want to make sure it's the right career this time! :)

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Very good!! I think you are actively doing something to better able yourself to figure out which direction you want to go. Good luck!!!!

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i would be a psychologist i think. or something related to that field at least.

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Specializes in Day program consultant DD/MR.

Occupational therapist. I really like helping people every little change can make a big difference.

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

my lifelong dream was to be a forensic pathologist (which is medical school + 3 years)

but i spent too much time playing in high school and im horrible at chemistry.

so i decided on becoming a paramedic. i love ems and emergency medicine. i am a total adrenaline junkie and it is such an incredibly rewarding job. but after working the ER for a handful of years, i decided to go back to school to become an RN. i can still do what i love, have more options, and make more money... so here i am in college again.

good luck to you. you will find your niche in healthcare! :)

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I would be a dietician, I guess I love food and has always been interested in what is does to the body.

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