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

Published

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 Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
No.I won't say that,because it's not true.If it was all about money I would go for other careers like Physician Assistant instead.The program is the same length as the Nursing program and the pay is higher.Plus you are a lot more independent and more respected.

A PA program is equivalent to a graduate degree. A PA program is certainly not the same length of time as an RN program. You generally need to have a 4-year degree BEFORE starting a PA program, which takes another 2ish years.

You said you applied to nursing school three times. What happened?

Have you considered being a drug/medical supply rep? You can use a health/science background, and they expect you to look well-groomed and wear nice clothes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Health Information Management.
You said what I was trying to say, just so much better! :yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah:

Nah, I just said it in about ten times as many words...I never can stop myself from belaboring a point! ;) :o

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Interested in NICU.
Being pregnant 2 yrs ago has allowed me ample time around Nurses.Like I said,if it was about money,I'd go for Physician Assistant as they make more money,are more independent and respected.Becoming a Nurse and a PA takes the same amount of time.Im not in it for the money.However,you might have sat next to many students who were in it for them money.They are probably good Nurses who their jobs well.Why does it bother you ? Plus,there are many students who claim to have a passion for Nursing and claim to know what Nursing is all about,but end up not liking it anymore.What about those who once had a true passion for it but end up leaving the field to pursue other careers? To each his own.It is up to no one to decide that who should be Nurses and who shouldn't.

You do realize your putting yourself out there by even saying "if nursing doesn't work out." It's already apparent that your not 100% sure about nursing from what you originally posted. It's probably best if you look somewhere else. You asked, and people are stating their opinions so you can't get upset. I am not here to argue with anyone nor am I a career counselor, but I'm pretty sure if you went to a career counselor and told them what you've told us, they would say the same thing that other people have said to you, nursing is not for you. Your #1 priority is patients, when are you going to have time to check your makeup to make sure it's still in place? Are you going to tell a patient to hold on because you have to apply more lipgloss? Again, I'm not trying to decide your life for you, it just seems to me that you already know nursing is probably not for you. Nursing is not the only path to helping people, you could be a Pharmacist, you don't work around bodily fluids, you handle medications and you are still helping a patient to feel better. I'm pretty sure Pharmacists can wear makeup.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
1. Earlier in this thread you said you didn't have a clue what nursing was all about, even while you were in college. Hanging onto some vague, gauzy notion of being a nurse just because you've "always wanted to be a nurse" isn't terribly mature. I'm glad you're doing additional research into careers, but I urge you to be more realistic while evaluating your interests, preferences, and abilities.

2. Why does your career "have" to be in demand in your area? First of all, it takes a while to get through any program, and by the time you are done, the job market may well have changed, particularly on the local level. Trying to pick what's in demand is like trying to pick a winning horse at the Kentucky Derby. At the moment, there are very few careers where people are walking out of school and straight into multiple job offers (or even one, for that matter). I suggest that you train for what really interests you, because training for a job that isn't a good fit but is in demand just leads you to lousy work experiences, poor references, and eventual retraining when you just can't take it any more. Besides, unless you are tethered to your area by some sort of legal ruling, getting up and moving for a job is a very real prospect for most new grads, no matter what their field.

3. You are extremely uncomfortable with many of the basics about nursing and can't stand the thought of being "stuck in a lab with feces and blood everywhere"...yet you see yourself as a nurse?

Look, there's nothing wrong with wanting to make a comfortable wage through one's work. However, it sounds like you have a

of preconceived notions and unrealistic ideas about how to approach selecting a career and what it takes to find a job once you're out of school. I really hope you'll seek out some career counseling through your school.

Wow.Now words are being put into my mouth apparently.Quote me where I mentioned that I didn't have a clue about what. nursing is about,would ya?Second,no one knows every single thing a job will entail until they're a student in the program or when they start to work.Why do you think people leave their field of choice to pursue something.Being uncomfortable with something now does not mean I will continue to be uncomfortable later on.It does not mean that I will fail as a student or a Nurse.I said it before and I will say it again,I'm into the Health field.If Nursing isn't for me( which none of you have the right to tell me)then I will eventually find something that is,within the health field! I have relatives and friends who are RNs'. I was pregnant and spent

a lot of time in the hospital.I have an idea about what Nursing is and I see me self as a Nurse.When/if I be cone a student,I will learn more about the field! Some people go into a field with a lot of passion and end up changing their mind.Some may think they will not enjoy everything about a field but end up loving what they do.Who are you to judge whether or not someone could be a Nurse? Yes I don't want to be stuck in a lab with feces everywhere and Nursing does not entail having to do this.What's your point?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
A PA program is equivalent to a graduate degree. A PA program is certainly not the same length of time as an RN program. You generally need to have a 4-year degree BEFORE starting a PA program, which takes another 2ish years.

You said you applied to nursing school three times. What happened?

Have you considered being a drug/medical supply rep? You can use a health/science background, and they expect you to look well-groomed and wear nice clothes.

My school has the BS. Program thank you very much.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
[/b]

You do realize your putting yourself out there by even saying "if nursing doesn't work out." It's already apparent that your not 100% sure about nursing from what you originally posted. It's probably best if you look somewhere else. You asked, and people are stating their opinions so you can't get upset. I am not here to argue with anyone nor am I a career counselor, but I'm pretty sure if you went to a career counselor and told them what you've told us, they would say the same thing that other people have said to you, nursing is not for you. Your #1 priority is patients, when are you going to have time to check your makeup to make sure it's still in place? Are you going to tell a patient to hold on because you have to apply more lipgloss? Again, I'm not trying to decide your life for you, it just seems to me that you already know nursing is probably not for you. Nursing is not the only path to helping people, you could be a Pharmacist, you don't work around bodily fluids, you handle medications and you are still helping a patient to feel better. I'm pretty sure Pharmacists can wear makeup.

My makeup is always in place,even when I exercise:-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SICU, Peds CVICU.
My makeup is always in place,even when I exercise:-)

You must not be working out hard enough :lol2: I always end up dripping with sweat when I'm done.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'd suggest that you look into becoming a registered dietician or pharmacist (a real pharmacist, not a pharmaceutical rep as others have suggested). These are professions that are science based, pay well, and allow you to help people, while allowing you to stay clean and pretty.

Nursing has its advantages, but it's hard and dirty work. I can't imagine someone who describes herself as prissy (isn't that usually an insult people apply to other people?) enjoying it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well, good for you for doing your research before committing to a program/career you may end up despising. Off the top of my head, here are a couple things that might interest you:

-Pharmacist (previously mentioned...great especially if you like lots of science)

-Aesthetic nursing, plastic surgery, or dermatology nursing in a clinic setting

-Massage therapist

-Occupational health nursing/therapy

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
My school has the BS. Program thank you very much.

Many states have phased out bachelor's PA programs, and require either a bachelor's before even entering the program, or something like 3000 hours in healthcare before you can apply. So, lucky you that your school has a BS in PA, because they're becoming more and more rare.

You didn't answer my question about what happened that you applied to nursing school three times.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
No.I won't say that,because it's not true.If it was all about money I would go for other careers like Physician Assistant instead.The program is the same length as the Nursing program and the pay is higher.Plus you are a lot more independent and more respected.Being a good samaritan and a Nurse are two different things.Good Samartitans don't "care" for patients on a regular basis.One volunteers to do something for free and the other gets paid for it.I wanted to be a Nurse since I was in H.S and during that time,I doubt Nurses made the kind of money that they are making today.Who doesn't want to earn a comfortable live and have job security ? Whoever says they don't consider those things when pursuing a career are just lying to themselves.The career I chose to pursue must be in demand in my area.What's the point in investing your money,energy and time into something if you won't be able to get a job ? Im not getting any younger and need to work and earn a good living.I said before and I will saying again,my career has to be related to health.I think I could look pretty and get down and dirty at the same time.Im just not comfortable with certain things Nurses have to deal with and im sure many Nurses aren't comfortable with them neither but do the job anyhow.I have seen many "pretty" Nurses.I see myself as a Nurse,but I don't see myself stuck in a lab with feces and blood everywhere.

Why would you write the word: Nurse in a capital letter I dont understand....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Many of you stated that "Health" is not for me.Well there are many careers in health that don't deal with stuff that im uncomfortable with (Nutritionist,Public Health,Physical Therapy,OT...The list goes on.

Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Physician Assistants... they all see their fair share of poop, pee, blood, sputum, etc., as well. Honestly, if there is patient contact, you are bound to be dealing bodily fluids. I also just wanted to add about the translady partsl ultrasound thing: not every patient is clean and pretty if you know what I mean. Patients with infections, poor hygiene, parasites...

How about social work? They are very important in health care. Speech Language Pathology? Nutrition seems like it could be good option for you as well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion