Nursing versus medical technologist/clinical lab scientist

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Anyone out there a medical technologist? Im an LVN in search of a job that will better suit my personality and i think medical technology is it! I planned on doing RN but im having serious doubts. As a medical technologist what is a day at work like? Is it satisying? I know its way different from nursing because you are stuck under a microscope but what else are you doing?

Also how hard is the program? The only science background i have is anatomy and physiology so i think i need to take some basic bio classes to see how interesting i find it to be. I jsut know that i definitely want to stay in the medical field to make a living but nursing doesnt fit my introverted worrisome personality. I want to be science knowledgeable and feel competent at what i do and being a scientist just sounds like my idea of awesome!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I am not sure you will find many med techs here....what draws you to this position?

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yea you might be right. well it seems pretty interesting to be able to distinguish things under a microscope. from what i understand you are often diagnosing the specimens. so its a critical role in healthcare. i think it may fit the more quiet type of personality, which i am. seems like it would be less stress than a nursing job, but i really dont know because i have never even been inside a lab

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Rehab.

I was a med tech before becoming an RN. I switched because I was bored and felt unchallenged. It's a good, stable career path though. In my lab we made slides, ran different tests using a variety of machines and were exposed to different chemicals. The pathologist (MD) is the one doing the final diagnosis but the tech would write the preliminary result and then enter the results in the computer.

I'm not sure about med tech programs because I got this job with a biology degree. To have the most career options, it's best to get your degree in Medical Technology and get certified. There are lots of options, like clinical labs, microbiology, research, etc and pay is comparable to nursing.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Rehab.

And yes, it's much much less stressful than nursing. You do have to do a good job but you aren't responsible for life and death decisions daily.

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And yes, it's much much less stressful than nursing. You do have to do a good job but you aren't responsible for life and death decisions daily.

This is what i wanted to hear! Great getting input from someone who has done both nursing and medtech. Awesome that you have them both under your belt. I have heard of alot of people becoming bored as a medtech but you know what, i would prefer that over driving myself insane over nursing which i have done for the past 3 years. Besides i really dont think i would get too bored like most. Well, i hope. Thanks agian :)

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Specializes in Med Surg/Ortho.

It is something I have thought about as well. I am currently a vet tech looking at changing careers and want to do something in human medicine. I always enjoyed doing lab work and it didn't bore me. You should check out NAACLS They list accredited programs for Medical Technology.

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