Nursing or medical technology?

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I think I have it narrowed down to an MLT program or an accelerated nursing program. I already have a bachelor's, so the nursing program would give me an accelerated BSN and would be paid for by the hospital. The MLT program would be at a community college. Both would take about the same time.

I worked in a hospital lab before and I thought it was OK, but I don't have any experience with nursing. I'm just not sure about nursing because I'm male and I'm worried if I would be able to interact with the patients.

Does anyone have any advice on how I should decide?

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What sort of work did you do in the hospital lab? I have a BS in micro, and thought about MLT at a local comm college or 2nd degree MT program from the university I got my BS from. I worked in a lab for the USDA as a microbiologist and lab work is interesting, but unless it's research it really does get repetitious. MLT where I live pays $15-17/hr, MT I think is about in line w/what a new nurse makes, but there aren't a lot of career growth options other than lab supervisor. I've also talked to some pretty disgruntled MT's feeling that they are drastically underpaid and not respected in general, in spite of how difficult the programs are. Anyway, I think nursing has a lot more options for those who are interested in the lab aspect while not being locked in the lab- infection control, research, public health, etc....

But ultimately you have to do what makes you the happiest. Good luck! :)

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thanks for the reply....I just worked as a data clerk in the lab...basically just entering in lab orders and sorting specimens.

What else can you do with a BSN if you don't like clinicals?

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