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 ?

This puzzles me. Someone is asking for advice, whether you like how they come across or not, why even comment on this? Really mature. Well, you told her. WTG. Go straight to someone's spelling, grammar, etc... Just pointless...

Anyway, people have offered many good suggestions on here. There are so many different areas of nursing (or Nursing :lol2: ) you could go into. Also, there are so many other areas in the health care field to consider. Physical therapist, physical therapy assistant, and occupational therapist are just a few mentioned. Maybe even respiratory therapy would be good for you...I could not do it, dealing with respiratory secretions all day. We all have something we cannot handle very well, but we do it when we need to. I love being a nurse though...just saying. Good Luck with your decision!

I was thinking the same thing.I guess people like that have nothing better to do.Oh well.LOL.I'll research them further to see which one I'd enjoy the most.OT is another health related career that I find interesting.Once again,another informative post.Some of the posts on this thread were quite helpful.Thank you.

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Sorry for the misspellings btw.I was typing on an iPad.grrrr

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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.

I didn't say anything is wrong with making money and job security, I think I've stressed that out already. I even encourage you to be honest about it. Have you ever heard of NPs? CNS? They make pretty pennies, if you ask me. You can't compare PAs to BSN nurses as BSN is an undergrad degree while PA is a graduate degree (i.e., you need a previous degree). Yes, you can get a ADNs but they get paid less and less in demand than BSNs if you're talking about new graduates.

My samaritan comment was about you putting your needs before patients. I understand that for some situations where your safety is concerned, you can argue that you have to put your needs over the patients but for trivial reasons such as "I can't clean up patient's poop because it's disgusting" is just plain unprofessional. What's the point in getting into this profession when you have YOUR own "requirements" (i.e., I need to be able to look pretty, less handling of bodily fluids, etc) of nursing. You have to fit into nursing, not trying to fit nursing into you.

As your comment on other people's post: You're now an expert of nursing roles because you were surrounded by nurses while your pregnant? lol. I didn't know you could obtain a BSN by just being a patient. Congrats. You've figured it all out.

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Anyways good luck.

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I didn't say anything is wrong with making money and job security, I think I've stressed that out already. I even encourage you to be honest about it. Have you ever heard of NPs? CNS? They make pretty pennies, if you ask me. You can't compare PAs to BSN nurses as BSN is an undergrad degree while PA is a graduate degree (i.e., you need a previous degree). Yes, you can get a ADNs but they get paid less and less in demand than BSNs if you're talking about new graduates.

My samaritan comment was about you putting your needs before patients. I understand that for some situations where your safety is concerned, you can argue that you have to put your needs over the patients but for trivial reasons such as "I can't clean up patient's poop because it's disgusting" is just plain unprofessional. What's the point in getting into this profession when you have YOUR own "requirements" (i.e., I need to be able to look pretty, less handling of bodily fluids, etc) of nursing. You have to fit into nursing, not trying to fit nursing into you.

As your comment on other people's post: You're now an expert of nursing roles because you were surrounded by nurses while your pregnant? lol. I didn't know you could obtain a BSN by just being a patient. Congrats. You've figured it all out.

"When/if I become a student,I will learn more about the field!" Did you miss that part of my post (despite the typos) ? When did I say I knew everything about the field.Quote me.My state still has BS programs for Physician Assistant.Shame on you for attacking people you don't agree with.That says a a lot about your "professionalism." When I cannot give useful advice,I don't bother posting an answer....

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Speech Pathology sounds interesting.Right now,the job isn't looking so good for SP's....at least where I live.

SLPs are actually in big demand. However, it may not be a good fit for you either. Patients sometimes gag and vomit during their swallow studies. You'll have to suction and clean that up. Also, if the patient has a trach, you'll be suctioning the tracheal secretions before doing any procedures with them as well as during and after. The new SLPs get the message quickly and even though they could wear dressy clothes, they prefer hospital issue scrubs.

For any health care profession that has direct patient contact, including dieticians, there will be a minimun accepted dress code. That will include no perfume, no fake nails and jewelry kept to a minimum. Clothes should be sensible for the duties and something easily laundered preferrably in very hot water. Any professional can also be exposed to body fluids and any professional, including pharmacists, can have exposure to meds with harmful effects if inhaled or by skin contact.

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Specializes in Psych.
Why just assume ? Do a little research on Bls.com?Some careers have wonderful job prospects.

I did that research before I committed to a nursing program. It's been 5 years and the immediate outlook has changed. The long term prospects are still good for nurses. I graduate in December and really like nursing (including helping clean people up from body fluids), so I have no reason to look for a substitute. You don't seem as jazzed about it, so I was suggesting continuing to look for a field that sings to you. Have you ever tried the career counselling office at your school? Those aptitude tests can be pretty handy.

Also, SLPs do work outside hospitals. My autistic child has worked with them through the school system for years. It's a valuable service they perform, though that job would make me tear my hair out. I'd rather insert suppositories all day than spend the same number of hours trying to catch an autistic toddler's attention!

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Looking through all these posts. . . I agree many nurses look like something the cat dragged in after their crazy-busy shifts, however after years of observing this phenomenon, there is a definate sub-species of nurses, who (this still perplexes me) are so very dedicated to their cosmetics that they will somehow find a way to have their lip gloss freshened up at all times :confused: Also, they never have dark roots. They are always going to or coming from the gym. Very suspect :cool: Thinking presence of many young unmarried doctors possible corollary factor but really not definitve at this point.

Not saying it's bad to be attractive! Or be in shape! I am in awe!

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Originally Posted by Back2Nursing09 viewpost.gif

Speech Pathology sounds interesting.Right now,the job isn't looking so good for SP's....at least where I live.

Why the focus on your area? there are many jobs that are not available in many areas. That's why moving vans exist.
;)

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

we'd love to have more slp in philly area... degree is now masters level. my girlfriends daughter studying program after eliminating pt/ot due to back issues. home care agencues always looking for slp

[color=#1111cc]speech-language pathologists

career planning for beginners may help you in narrowing your interests:

sloan career cornerstone center provides details on allied health, medical technology, nursing and medicine careers.

http://www.careercornerstone.org/healthcare/healthcare.htm

best wishes in finding career that suits you!

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I did that research before I committed to a nursing program. It's been 5 years and the immediate outlook has changed. The long term prospects are still good for nurses. I graduate in December and really like nursing (including helping clean people up from body fluids), so I have no reason to look for a substitute. You don't seem as jazzed about it, so I was suggesting continuing to look for a field that sings to you. Have you ever tried the career counselling office at your school? Those aptitude tests can be pretty handy.

Also, SLPs do work outside hospitals. My autistic child has worked with them through the school system for years. It's a valuable service they perform, though that job would make me tear my hair out. I'd rather insert suppositories all day than spend the same number of hours trying to catch an autistic toddler's attention!

Well I have taken aptitude tests online and they keep saying that jobs in IT and Business are suitable for me.I don't think so.LOLI'll keep researching.I'm not 100 percent sure about Nursing.I'll eventually make up my mind.

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