If Nursing doesn't work out,is Medical Lab Technologist ok for a "Prissy" girl ??

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Im really into the health field so im doing a little research in that area incase Nursing doesn't work out.There is a demand for Medical Lab Technologists in my state and the pay isn't that bad.It makes no sense to pursue something that is not in demand.I know a school that has a BS program that is not too expensive.The thing is,im not sure how I would handle working with bodily fluids and sitting in a lab all day when I prefer to "look pretty" lol.I know I would deal with not so pretty stuff as a Nurse,but atleast I'll still get to wear makeup and won't be stuck in a lab for 8 hours a day.This may sound like a silly question,but I had to ask .Does anyone know anything about the field? Do you have to wear a protective head cap aswell ? Im the girly girl type.Does this career sound suitable for me ?

Specializes in Health Information Management.

Wow. I really hope this was a tongue-in-cheek sort of post.

If it wasn't and you decide to look for another field, maybe you should think about something a little less...demanding. Maybe you could look into working as someone's administrative assistant or find a position in sales, where looks really count. If you're determined to go into something related to health care, try life as a pharmaceutical sales rep. They always have to dress up to the nines and be very personable, but the job usually requires a background in sales and a four year degree of some sort.

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Specializes in Trauma, Burn, Crticial Care.

Healthcare is not for the fainted hearted......

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.

Wow. That's about all I can say. Really hope this was a tounge in cheek post as well.

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Specializes in LTC.

Back2Nursing what is is about nursing that draws you in? You really need to look at this before making any decisions.

I know that you had an earlier post about not wanting to deal with death at all. Nursing isn't a pretty job. Some people are able to show up to work looking pretty, but you never leave work looking pretty.

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The lab would be perfect for you.

As long as you are not working in Micro (sending damn tampons in a cup, filling a stool cup to the BRIM with poo, yall know poo produces methane gas...what do you think happens when I open that FULL cup?). Get a job in a reference lab working in chemistry or hematology. Most of that is ran by machines that used a closed sampling process so you should not get any serum or blood in your hair.

I wear make-up and cute hair everyday. You don't have to wear scrubs and can dress sexy as long as you are covered up. Buy Gucci or Coach sneakers and put in some Dr. Scholls and you will be good to go.

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Medical Lab Technologist?

You won't be doing much sitting. With the cutbacks on Phlebotomists, you may even be doing your own blood draws and then running back to the lab to get them processed with the word "STAT" being yelled at you.

So is this the reason why my mom is having such a hard time finding a job as a phlebotomist, even with over 30 years experience? Even when she does get an offer, its no where near what she is used to making a few years ago. It is like they are trying to phase them out, especially in the hospital. Only some little doctor's clinics, community clinics, and reference labs still hire them. The big 3 in the Med Center still do too I think, but its so hard to get on unless you know someone. That sucks man...

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It doesn't really sound like a compatible career for you if you are that concerned about appearance and not getting dirty. Even in a lab setting I would think that you would come across specimens that you wouldn't want to touch. What about sales or real estate?

Those jobs are not in demand in my area !

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Health Care is not for you, then, if your main objective is to be a fashion plate. Whether you are a nurse or lab technologist, patients need you. If you are repulsed by processing sputum results in order for a frightened person to know whether they have TB or not, or afraid to look at stool to see if it has parasites, then, this is not the field for you. Lab techs work short the same as nurses sometimes, and have to process hundreds of contaminated specimens on a daily basis, so, there is no room for a person whose primary focus is to be a Vogue model.

Just reading this made me want to regurgitate !

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You can't escape bodily fluids in the health care field... period.

There are other careers out there in demand. How about something in computers (eg. Computer Engineering, Information System, etc.)? They're probably more apt to hire you because you're a woman in a male dominated field.

I was reading about IT today.Im not sure if I'm into technology though.I know people who pursued a career in computer science and still can't find a job.

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Specializes in Legal, Ortho, Rehab.

How about beauty school?

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I've worked in labs. MLT is a minimum of a bachelors degree plus certification. Make-up is often kept to a minimum (if any is permitted) due to the contamination potential (i.e. flakes of mascara). You would be required to wear a full length lab coat, eye goggles and perhaps a hair net. No high heeled or open (front or back) shoes either, safety issue. You would have to handle specimens as others have stated from saliva, blood, urine,feces, pathology (organs or tissue removed), sputum, phlegm, and infectious drains (such as bronchial lavage or cultured puss from a wound).

If you describe yourself as prissy, the lab is very likely not a wise career option for you.

This career is definately not for me ! Lol

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I think the OP is just being honest with herself and needing career counseling. Nursing is definitely not for everyone. I sometimes question whether I picked the right career and feel like social work might have been a better suited choice for me. But anyhoo, find something that you really enjoy doing and then look for a career associated to it. Like someone mentioned beauty school. Good hair stylists make some big $$. Or selling makeup in a nice department store. Pharmaceutical sales? You have to dress up and look nice to do that and it is healthcare related. Someone else also mentioned working at a plastic surgeon's office. That sounds like something you might enjoy and they have great perks for working there! Flight attendant? .... sounds fun and exciting, lol

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