Nutritionist to RN--good move?

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I am currently a community nitritionist making about $40K living in the mid west. This job has no advancement opportunities and I can only count on 2% raises every year. I have been here 6 years with a master's in Nutrition.

I am thinking about nursing based on opportunities for advancement and also better pay. Do you think this is a god move? My current job is very flexible--mostly work 6 hour days and work at home sometimes. I really do not want to make a mistake since if I quit my current job it will be almost impossible to get a similar job (most of my colleagues have been here for more than 15 years). I have 2 very young kids.

What is your opinion?

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Well, I called a dietician at my hospital and got her to look at your post. Her only comment--"I'd kill for a job like that". She feels lucky that she has straight day shift and doesn't work weekends or stats.

Flexible hours, 6hour days, able to work from home compared to weekends and evening shifts, working stats, that is the dream of every nurse. Never mind the thought of nursing school.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I am currently a community nitritionist making about $40K living in the mid west. This job has no advancement opportunities and I can only count on 2% raises every year. I have been here 6 years with a master's in Nutrition.

I am thinking about nursing based on opportunities for advancement and also better pay. Do you think this is a god move? My current job is very flexible--mostly work 6 hour days and work at home sometimes. I really do not want to make a mistake since if I quit my current job it will be almost impossible to get a similar job (most of my colleagues have been here for more than 15 years). I have 2 very young kids.

What is your opinion?

Unless you feel as if you're missing out on something by being in the nutrition field, I would stay right where you are. Nursing, in my opinion, is rather low-brow, low-prestige, and high stress. I work 16 hour shifts, can only count on 3% raises yearly, have no advancement opportunities, and so on. Also, I get screamed at by visitors, abusive family members, and demanding patients. Some doctors feel that the nurse is inferior because we have less education than them.

In addition, I have never heard of a nutritionist or dietician being targeted for a lawsuit. I never hear people making jokes and wisecracks about nutritionists.

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The grass always looks greener on the other side, but it seems like you have an ideal job to me. You may make slightly less money than I do, but nothing is worth the stress that comes with nursing. Since becoming a nurse two years ago, I have developed health problems that I am certain is from the stress.

If you are feeling unfulfilled in your current position, perhaps you could consider getting involved with some work on the side. You could start a small business consulting clients and develop a specific niche (athletes, obese clients, etc.). I've always been very interested in nutrition and exercise and it's something that I've thought about pursuing. Good luck in your decision.

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Well, I called a dietician at my hospital and got her to look at your post. Her only comment--"I'd kill for a job like that". She feels lucky that she has straight day shift and doesn't work weekends or stats.

Flexible hours, 6hour days, able to work from home compared to weekends and evening shifts, working stats, that is the dream of every nurse. Never mind the thought of nursing school.

I agree wholeheartedly! You have a dream job, and if you have any spare time, you can take on writing assignments and/or private consultation work. Your present job has benefits that money can't buy!

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I agree wholeheartedly! You have a dream job, and if you have any spare time, you can take on writing assignments and/or private consultation work. Your present job has benefits that money can't buy!

Totally agree. Money is definitely not everything.

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I have a classmate who is transitioning from RD to RN. She chose to acquire RN for additional mobility etc.

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It sounds like you have a wonderful quality of life. That is worth more than gold.

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I could not resist and had to respond. I am an RD and just graduated from nursing school. For many years I wondered as an RD if I should go into nursing, physician assistant, OT, PT, pharmacy etc. I tried to get into pharmacy school and did not get in the first time. After I had my first baby, I started taking classes to get into a nursing program.

Two babies and 5 years later, I have my BSN and am working on a med/surgery floor in a 900 bed teaching hospital. So far, I love it. The money not much different than being an RD but I will be able to do so much more with the combo of RD/RN.

BTW, many of my RD friends have left the field and have gone into nursing, pharmacy and physician assistant. I don't hate being an RD and sure the hours are great but there is no respect, no money and it got really boring.

I still work as a prn RD and work as an RN in the same hospital. Scrubs one day and lab coat some other days. How cool is that?

Best of luck!

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Flight.

good for you hellokittypink!!~

sounds like you got the best of both worlds now..

that has to be satisfying... at least i hope it is...

im happy for ya!!

:cool:

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I could not resist and had to respond. I am an RD and just graduated from nursing school. For many years I wondered as an RD if I should go into nursing, physician assistant, OT, PT, pharmacy etc. I tried to get into pharmacy school and did not get in the first time. After I had my first baby, I started taking classes to get into a nursing program.

Two babies and 5 years later, I have my BSN and am working on a med/surgery floor in a 900 bed teaching hospital. So far, I love it. The money not much different than being an RD but I will be able to do so much more with the combo of RD/RN.

BTW, many of my RD friends have left the field and have gone into nursing, pharmacy and physician assistant. I don't hate being an RD and sure the hours are great but there is no respect, no money and it got really boring.

I still work as a prn RD and work as an RN in the same hospital. Scrubs one day and lab coat some other days. How cool is that?

Best of luck!

I just don't understand the lack of respect-- the degree is not easy. I know at my school they had to have a lot more chemistry, etc. than nursing.

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I could not resist and had to respond. I am an RD and just graduated from nursing school. For many years I wondered as an RD if I should go into nursing, physician assistant, OT, PT, pharmacy etc. I tried to get into pharmacy school and did not get in the first time. After I had my first baby, I started taking classes to get into a nursing program.

Two babies and 5 years later, I have my BSN and am working on a med/surgery floor in a 900 bed teaching hospital. So far, I love it. The money not much different than being an RD but I will be able to do so much more with the combo of RD/RN.

BTW, many of my RD friends have left the field and have gone into nursing, pharmacy and physician assistant. I don't hate being an RD and sure the hours are great but there is no respect, no money and it got really boring.

I still work as a prn RD and work as an RN in the same hospital. Scrubs one day and lab coat some other days. How cool is that?

Best of luck!

My case is a little different since I don't have to deal with the respect issue from doctors since I am not a clinical RD. I work in the community where I get to design my own programs based on the comunity need and my interests.

From reading all your posts, I think I will stay put. I don't want to make a decision that I will regret. I agree, money is not everything and there are some benefits you can't buy with money.My husband also really discourages me from pursuing nursing.

I think I will go ahead and pursue a Phd in Education Leadership and Policy Studies since the university I work for will pay 75% of the tuition and I will get a $3,000 raise after I graduate---not really much after 3 more years of schooling. But I can still do it while working full-time.

Thanks for all your responses--Sometimes God answers our questions through the least expected avenues.

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