Nurse or Dental Hygiene?

brownbook · Mar 31, 2018

Don't label yourself! Scientific evidence based studies have DIS proved that your personality is set by age 5 and you can't change. And years of therapy are not needed. Motivated people can change. The biggest effects take place within one month. The "therapy" can be as simple as a well written book, or just 4 hours once a week with a counselor or pastor.

I know you are not asking about how to not be shy but if that is stopping you from your hearts desire you do need to deal with that.

As to jobs. There are numerous job search sites on the Internet. You can find out if there are many listings for dental hygienist in your area.

I honestly am making a huge assumption but I think nurses make more money than hygienists.

But enjoying your job is more important than the money you earn.

amoLucia · Apr 1, 2018

I don't see the job diversity in a dental hygienist position as widespread as that in nsg. And upward mobility?

You can provide services chairside, manage an office of hygienists in a dental practice or teach in a program. But I don't think there's much beyond that.

And I don't think there's much room for negotiating a wide variance for wages. But I've seen DH wages close to nsg.

Am not too sure about PTO - if you were to call out of a dental office and there were pts sched, would your employer be able to have your service provided or would the appt be cx'd?

Whenever I've gone to my dentist, I've noted that the environment is so much more relaxed and less stressed than anything I ever experienced in my career. There's always the possibility that you could work in 'the office from hell', but then you'd move on.

You will need to maintain your professional education thru CEUs or seminars for both careers.

Just saying this, there have been times I would wonder what a career as a hygienist would have been like since it does seem to have its perks.

MercyBSN · Apr 6, 2018

Just got my acceptance email!!! Good luck everyone!

MedSurgMama, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2018

Be a nurse. You can do SO MUCH in the field of nursing. :)

MedSurgMama, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2018

I was very shy growing up and nursing clinicals gave me major anxiety (I was good at hiding it). But I made it through nursing school at Eastern Michigan University and I've been a nurse for over 12 years at a mid-Michigan hospital. The most difficult part of nursing (for me) was as a new nurse. I am SO MUCH more self-assured and confident after 12 years, but when I was new, I got walked on and talked down to by docs, other nurses, nurse aides, managers, patients and family members. It was a scary time, but 12 years later, I can truly say it was worth the stress. "Fake it til you make it!" got me through some of my most difficult days. I found life easier when I didn't let anyone see my fear and uncertainty. Some people sense that fear and feed off it. I refuse to treat new nurses like I was treated as a new nurse (some nurses were awful to us newbies). I enjoy teaching and helping new nurses so they feel confident because it's the patient that ends up suffering if our nurses don't have the support they need. I think nursing is changing for the better. I see nurses helping and supporting each other a lot more than they did when I was a new nurse. Where I work, we all help each other. You'll always work with a few nurses who just suck, but that's life. I hope you join us nurses! Good luck and I wish you well in whatever you choose. :)

caliotter3 · Apr 25, 2018

My hygienist was taking prerequisite courses for nursing school because there is no upward mobility short of dental school, and there are very few job opportunities. We are talking about a large metropolitan area. I can imagine it being that much worse elsewhere.