Nursing vs. Social Work

[amvankirk]

I am currently in my last year to obtain my BSW. I have been debating for a while to either get my Masters in Social Work, or get my BSN. I also work as a nurses aid at a local hospital in my area and I absolutely hate it. I just hate the baths, wiping people, etc. I also hate the rotating/night shifts. With all of this in mind I am worried that I will hate nursing seeing I hate being an aid.

If I get my MSW will I be able to find a job? I would like to work in child welfare, maybe with at risk youth.

I want to do nursing for the job security, better pay, but I feel I would be happier with my masters. I am just worried about finding a job that is worth while, especially in West Virginia.

[brownbook]

I'm an ADN nurse, my husband has a MSW, LCSW, and is bilingual. I made more money than him working 32 hrs a week.

But your career goals and job happiness are way more important than the almighty dollar sign.

You could talk to career counselors at your current school. Look through help wanted ads. Maybe there is a All-social workers internet site.

I admire your wanting to help children. I'm a firm believer that if teachers and social workers were paid more there'd be less job security for nurses and police officers.

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

Do what will make you happy. As a bedside nurse, you will not get away from those tasks that you already dislike. Social work is a fine career, and though it won't make you a millionaire, you can certainly support yourself with a decent budget.

I'm a nurse and my boyfriend is in the last year of his MSW program. I listen to him talk about the issues he is passionate about and I know he is going to help many people throughout his life in this role. I wish you all the best and hope you will pursue the field that you know you will do the most good in. Finances are important, but so is spending your work life doing something you are fulfilled in. You will figure out the money.

I don't know a ton about the social work job market - probably most people on this site don't. Check with your school's career services office and see what they know. They may have a website where organizations post jobs so you can get an idea of what's out there.

[Beth1978]

With the explosion of opiate addiction in our country it would seem that job security will not be an issue in the foreseeable future. The problem has extended even to middle schools in my rural Ohio county.

[amoLucia]

The major downfall that I've heard about is that you'll need a grad degree for most positions even entry ones. And the job market may be a difficult one to get in to. Now my sources were just in passing comments, no real investigation.

Some years ago, it was one of the 'soft' degrees that were being hit by recession.

Check out Civil Service - the entry level may be more relaxed.

[Calalilynurse]

Most nurses do start out on nights. Rotating shifts are not a think in my area so I can't speak to that. You may have to look harder to find a job with your msw but if your willing to move you should be ok. Social work is a great career. My best friend has an msw and works for a hospital system they are required to have one. Try applying at nonprofit like domestic violence counseling centers, pregnancy resource centers, and adoption agencies.

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

I would go on for your MSW. Dreading your job each day is a far worse fate than living on a tighter budget, in my opinion.

Also, my best friend has an MSW and eventually obtained his LCSW. He makes far more than do I, a BSN with 11 years' experience. Also, he has a strictly office job at the moment. It really depends on the job market in your area.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

If you don't like being a nurse's aide, you probably won't like being a nurse. Plenty of social workers work in hospitals. Money isn't everything.