OT: What other Medical Job would you consider if not RN? Why?

babyboomerRN, RN · Jan 20, 2004

just to let you know, i'm an rn and i work in dialysis, chronics and acutes. so i really don't understand your question! :confused:

live4today, RN · Jan 20, 2004

If I weren't a RN, and wanted to work in the medical field, I'd probably be a hospital chaplain. :)

I think they gain patients respect which is what nurses are NOT getting as nurses today.

BrandiE · Jan 20, 2004

Sorry for the misunderstanding babyboomer.......

What I mean is ... if in that department - is there another position that you would like to have? Besides nursing.

In different facilites there are different positions within those type fields

EX - Radiology - RTs, Nurses, etc

What would you do in another medical field if you were not a nurse? And why?

Thanks to you all in advance for your time!

manna, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2004

I don't know, I'm not a nurse yet, but what little I know about the fields of nursing, x-ray, and resp therapy is all endlessly fascinating. If I'd had the sense 6 or 7 years ago that I have now, I'd have liked to have been an MD/DO.

jakesmom · Jan 22, 2004

Well, with a BSN the choices are endless - a BSN has options at the bedside as well as away from the bedside - such as Case Management, Cardiac Rehab, teaching, management, and many other roles. But as far as a job in the medical field without a RN - I would first think about how long of a school comitment you are looking for - 6 years would land you a great job as a pharmacist making much more money than you will make as an RN. Otherwise every time I have been to our lab, they seem pretty relaxed - but there is no patient contact. Radiology is a good area with a 2 year degree. Also, a surgical tech would be interesting with a 1-2 year degree. Respiratory therapy is another choice - but our RT department is VERY understaffed - they work crazy hours!!

allnurses Guide · Jan 22, 2004

I have always thought that the surgical tech position looked interesting. You are up there with the docs and get to help with all the "action". But you have to have strong legs and a strong back for that.

I'm also interested in medical ethics and there is a degree available in that.

Of course, I'd really like to just be able to stay home and play with my 2 year old and not work. Yesterday was a case in point. My father-in-law tripped while holding my 2 year old yesterday and they both fell hard to the sidewalk, my son hit the back of his head on the sidewalk. My fil his knees and one hand. My mil called me at work to tell me and since my son had not lost consciousness and had been crying loud, I figured he was ok. Although I wanted to be able to hold him, I went back to work. She called back a little later and said he was very lethargic and vomiting. So they brought him into the ER. He was pale, limp and vomiting off and on. The doc checked him out and thought he was ok and so sent him home with my inlaws. Oh my gosh it was so hard to hand him back to my inlaws and go back to work. He kept vomiting all afternoon and I kept getting more and more worried about concussion (brain damage, death . .you know how crazy your thoughts get when your kids are hurt). I got home from work and we just wrapped ourselves around each other and he stayed that way between vomiting fests. Finally sent my husband to the ER for Tigan suppository and my son slept w/o vomiting. He woke this morning fine, thirsty and hungry.

So, the medical job I'd rather have than RN is actually none. Let me be a stay at home mom instead.

steph:D

manna, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2004

Ooh, I've got it! I think that being a medical illustrator would be a great job! :)

But I'm really like Steph, and would love to be a SAHM - if only my budget would allow it!

ava'smomRN · Jan 22, 2004

i kinda thought about ultrasound tech while in high school because i thought it would be cool to work with expecting couples. but i changed my mind becuase nursing was always my first love. i alsp thought about resp therapy because i used to have chronic asthma so i was in the hospital alot during childhood and i could remember strange procedures but i didnt know what they were and i wanted to know. but as i matured i realized that since i always wanted to be a nurse, i should, and with nursing i can swim in the feilds i always wondered about.

iliel · Jan 22, 2004

Even though I am going for my RN...I am also checking out Speech and Language Pathology. I shadowed one a few years back but at the time where I live there where no programs.

Well, the new state college here started a bach degree program here and where I'm moving to has a masters in speech so now I have to decided what I want.

palesarah · Jan 22, 2004

I think I'd do something in forensics. Forensic entomology has always fascinated me, or crime scene photography.

But I'm quite happy being an RN :)

allnurses Guide · Jan 22, 2004

Originally posted by manna
Ooh, I've got it! I think that being a medical illustrator would be a great job! :)

But I'm really like Steph, and would love to be a SAHM - if only my budget would allow it!

Medical illustrator . . . . . .could it be cartoons though? I'd love that.