Making the Leap! SLP or RN (NP)

[laski]

I am a 30-something mom of two. I have a B.A. (English) and a M.Ed.(Teacher--Language Arts) I started in healthcare (EMT ), worked in technology when the Internet boomed and then taught for a few years before having my children. It has been a roller coaster, but I've learned a lot. All of the career changes happened due to relocating for my husband's job.

My son has been working with SLPs for language delays. I was fascinated by what she has been able to accomplish with him. He actually has a school-based SLP and a clinic-based SLP and they are both amazing.

On the flip side, I was contemplating going for an RN and then moving on to become a nurse practitioner prior to my son receiving speech therapy. I have a friend who is a PA and one who is a FNP and both love their jobs immensely. I am still extremely interested in the field--both fields, I'm just uncertain as to the best option.

While I know no one can make the decision for me, my hope is that RNs and NPs and future NPs and SLPs can tell me their experiences and overall thoughts about the professions--quality of life, job satisfaction, compensation. I really want to know if all the time, money and courses will be worth it.

If you know anything about the speech language pathologist profession, I'd love to hear your perspective.

I am in the process of investigating both right now. In the case of the SLP degree, I can take pre-reqs online and start a master's within the next two years. For a nurse practitioner, I will have to commit to a full time nursing program, but could potentially be working as an RN in two years and then work as I pursue an MSN. We have one MSN program in the area, but I'm still trying to figure out if they will take an RN (with non-science BA) so I don't have to do the BSN. My ultimate goal with this choice would be to work to gather experience while pursuing the advanced degree.

I worked as a high school English teacher and people responded one of two ways--OMG, I could never, ever do that--what a horrible job OR they said WOW, that's amazing. I commend you for doing that job. Not too many said, "WOW, that's what I want to do." Many have said the same of nursing. Has that view changed? Not that it matters, I respect both fields and don't really care, but I am curious to see how the support and respectability for the field has evolved.

All I know is a nurse practitioner was listed as the #4 best job for satisfaction and SLP was listed at #27--just a list, but hey, it is pretty awesome that both positions are in the top 50 of all careers. http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/2009/full_list/index.html

Thanks for your input!

[SLPtobeRN]

I'm 23 and I will be finishing my Masters in SLP next year. I have spent 7 years working on this degree, but it wasn't until my clinics last year that I realized this was the wrong career choice.

It's interesting to hear you say your son made progress working with the SLP. In my experience we see the kids for therapy, tell the parents what a great job Johnny did with his /r/ sound (when no such thing occurred) and then take their money/insurance money or both. The only effective forms of therapy I have seen are for dysphagia (swallowing), adult rehab and AAC (the speech generating computers people use to talk). In my opinion, nothing else works, people who stutter will always stutter, or sound like slow lethargic robots. Children will most likely out-grow most speech impediments and kids with language problems could just as easily benefit from tutoring with a special ed teacher. Again, that just from my experience working as a speech clinician.

So now I am also considering a career change, to RN/PNP. I wanted a career that blended my desires to work in health care and education; so I thought I'd teach people how to speak and do some swallowing therapy. While I love swallowing (or dysphagia as it's called); if I get one more child with a lisp or person who stutters I'm going to flip. It's the most boring thing I never imagined! I want a career with a medical focus, and less education. As I understand, PNP's have important medical responsibilities, yet still educate parents and care-takers about caring for their children .... right? I also wonder if this career would provide the balance I'm looking for?

I guess overall, SLPs don't have a bad career, but if your looking for something in the medical field ... keep looking. Almost ALL SLP jobs are in schools, and while school provide great benefits (time off, etc) the pay is garbage and the current caseload is something like 100 students per SLP. At least that's what it is in the Miami area. I imagine most major cities are the same.

Medical SLP careers are almost all in Nursing homes, SNFs etc. And while thats ok, I really want a career in pediatrics. Despite this, SLPs in these settings enjoy great pay $70k and up and have great opp for advancement. So its definately the better of the two setting options.

I'm hoping obtaining an RN will enhance my marketability as a medical SLP, and provide a gate way to a new career as a PNP somewhere down the road.

I hope my story was helpful :)

All the best

[citygrl646]

I would choose slp beacause of your ed background. An RN job is very physical, thinking fast (but mainly about dispensing meds and keeping a bunch of taks in order that, if you had more time, would be easy). I was an RN, but hated it, and am now getting a masters in clinical nutrition and hopfully become an RD if i get into an internship (you need to get into one just to be eligible to sit for the exam!).

@the slp student-I always thought slps made a lot of money?!? i also agree that i feel like many language issues such as lips/stuttering are barely solved by slps and the work (i don't mean to be disrespectful here because i would have preferred slp to RN) seems kind of easy. If i were you i would stick with slp, but work in the hospital setting. nursing is a very rude awakening.