next best medical career, other than nursing?

[dark40]

its been a while now that i've notice that the nursing schools/programs are harder and so competive to get in. i was wondering whats the best next medical career out there that has just as much benefits and pay as a registered nurse?please tell me,i think i might need to go another route.

[SonorityGenius]

What about Respiratory Therapists. PT, OT ? Depending on demand, the pay is comparable to new grad RN pay

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

Ultrasound technicians make great money ! And is a great career

[NC Girl BSN]

Been there done that. If nursing is in your heart, No other medical career will compare. I was a Recreation Therapy for 10 years on a Psychiatric floor only wanting to be a nurse. I would say. Make excellent grades. Apply to several schools and get your RN.

Recreation therapist-Basically I taught stress management and life skills classes. Introduced patient to community resouces in their area and got them involved in various recreation activities. The pay was $12-$18 hr.

[SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN]

pt can make more then nurses and own their own businesses!!! rts and rad techs can make comparable wages to rns. as for demand, now i can say they are like nurses. no new grad of any occupation is in demand any more!

[gtoko]

Physical/occupational therapy. Surgical tech?

[want2banurse35]

I also thought of going a different route as well but in doing research I found that other programs are just as competitive. For OT and SLP you have to have a grad degree and the master programs for those are super-competitive because they only let in 30 to 40 students at a time:eek:. As for PT you now need a doctorate and guess what? They are super competitive as well so what I found was that go with your heart if you want to be a nurse, just keep trying you will get in eventually:).

[shacal228]

Have you considered relocating? Spread the net to increase the chance that you will get in somewhere.

[Nurse Joey]

Do you want to become a nurse for the benefits and pay? Or because that's what your heart tells you?

[Baloney Amputation, BSN, LPN, RN]

I personally like medical transcription, though the pay isn't as high as an RN usually, depending on where you are. The benefits of it are a bit different and may make up for the pay discrepancy, though many MT companies offer health, dental, 401K, etc. Even if you went for an RN later, needing to know (or know how to research) all the dictated labs, meds, conditions, etc., necessary for productive transcription would be a great benefit to your learningin nursing. A quality MT program is easy to enter, but the emphasis here is on entering a QUALITY program. You should also know your working goal before you enter a program, because your program will make a difference in where you work.

[Head2Toe]

Physical Therapist is a PhD, OT is Masters. Try for either a Physical Therapist Assistant or Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant. Assistant is a 2 year degree. The Therapist does the Eval, but treatment for treatment the Assistant does identical treatments. Therapist MUST meet a set number of minutes of treatment and productivity is very difficult to reach the "RUG Level" when you are at a busy facility. Not meeting the minutes makes the business side of the facility very upset and Medicare/State will bust a facility. Ask any MDS Coordinator! Wonder why therapist are not likely to help with patient's/family if not on their caseload that day? Well, that therapist better meet those minutes or risk their job! Other than that, it is a good paying job for both therapists/assistants. Average pay for new grad PTA/COTA about $23.00 to $25.00 per hour, $30.00 per hour home health, $30-35 per hour PRN/Contract. Friends that are PTA's. Good Luck!

[RNperdiem, RN]

There are waiting lists for all the good medical specialties, some like Rad Tech can have even longer waiting lists.

Rad tech pays comparably to nursing and has good working conditions. Respiratory therapy is another good alternative.