Please help! I am kind of torn, nursing or sonography

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I have read a few of the posts regarding this very topic. However, I wanted to put my reasons for struggling with my decision and see what others may do in my situation.

Originally, my very first thought was to go to sonography school.

For a number of reasons:

1. Most importantly ... it really intrigues me!

2. It's an associates degrees vs a bsn. (This appeals to a single working mother period)

3. Less stress in the field, whether it be physical or cut throat politics (which the latter would drive me insane!)

4. Hours are better than nursing, usually.

Then... I realized that since the accredited sonography program I would be going to is in the same area I would actually need to be employed.... finding a job may prove to be difficult upon graduation. THIS scares the heck out of me and is the ONLY reason I am considering nursing over sonography to be perfectly honest.

Ugh ... It is time for me to move forward... of course I still need prereqs but a and p one and two are the only 2 courses that mirror nursing prereqs. After a ton of research I don't think I would like nursing muchless love it. I'm pretty sure unless I was in a doctors office or home health in the field I would HATE it.

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Hello all ... I posted about this in another topic section and didn't get a response so I thought I would try here :)

I am torn between the two professions and just needed some opinions based on my reasons for struggling with both.

Originally, my very first thought was to go to Medical Diagnostic Sonography school.

For a number of reasons:

1. Most importantly ... it really intrigues me!

2. It's an associates degrees vs a bachelors. (This appeals to a single working mother period). However, the associates will still end up being 3 years because re-reqs are not part of the 2 years. You must have those under your belt before beginning the program. The nursing program is a straight forward 4 years with pre-reqs in the first yr. Either way, still one year less!

3. Less stress in the field, whether it be physical or cut throat politics (which the latter would drive me insane!)

4. Hours are better than nursing, usually.

Then... I realized that since the accredited sonography program I would be going to is in the same area I would actually need to be employed.... finding a job may prove to be difficult upon graduation. THIS scares the heck out of me and is the ONLY reason I am considering nursing over sonography to be perfectly honest. There is also room for advancement in both... more so nursing from what I read though.

Ugh ... It is time for me to move forward... of course I still need prereqs but a and p one and two are the only 2 courses that mirror nursing prereqs. After a ton of research I don't think I would love nursing. I'm pretty sure unless I was in a doctors office or home healthcare I would hate it.

Bottom line ... sonography is what I want to do on the daily. Nursing is diverse enough that I would be able to find a job that is a good match for me, but are those options available for a new grad.

I talked to the program director of the school I will attend and she agrees with the shortage of job opportunities in my area. However, she also said it would be wise to go with what I wanted. Explaining that this is a career choice and a lot of time and money spent to get there.

What do you guys think? Nursing, with ample job opportunities or sonographer and on a fierce job hunt when I graduate?? Thanks for reading if you made it this far lol! Any opinions are so appreciated!

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Specializes in Med/Surg,Cardiac.

Depending on where you live, nursing jobs can prove to be difficult to obtain as well. It sounds like you want to do sonography, so do it. Don't let fear guide you. Unless you aren't able to move for work and nursing jobs are easily found in your area, I'd say do what you want. Good luck in whatever you choose!

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Follow your heart, if sono is what you want. I say go for it.

Good luck

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Specializes in CMSRN, hospice.

Definitely go for what you really want. Your enthusiasm for the field will show in job interviews and that will help you with the tough job search (and it's tough for everyone, including new nursing grads).

I am kind of in the same boat as you. I feel like nursing on a good day would be a fine job, but it's not always a good day. I watch the nurses I work with right now and see what they deal with most of the time - crazy families, all these call bells ringing at once, and trying to work with doctors and managers and everyone around them - and it kind of scares me. I like taking care of people, but I do NOT do well with lots of pressure. Something like your sonography, or OTA or PTA, appeals because you get contact with patients but it's not quite as rushed or charged. Something for us to think about.

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Thanks! I believe I should go with what I want as well... its just very scary to think I may not find work. I cannot move my son again. In a local online job listing, right now there are 8 nursing positions and 1 sono position. Granted I'm sure getting an entry level nursing job is difficult also.And yes... that is what I fear with nursing. I am a great with multi-tasking. However, I become cranky under high levels of negative pressure. Of course no one likes this but I can't hide my aggrevation very well. Also I hear the politics in a hospital for nurses is crazy... cattiness and I do not mesh well lol.

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Hm... 8 nursing to 1 sonograph... and how many nursing students graduate from nearby schools every year vs sonography graduates?

Otherwise.... sonography isn't necessarily easier on the body. Less lifting but you spend all day leaning and reaching to the right with no support.

Good luck whichever you do.

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Saysfaa... I'm not sure.... and I'm sure there's more openings for both. I just used a free ad site for example. I am in the Beaumont are of Texas.

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Why don't you try to shadow an US tech. I don't do US, but I am an X-ray tech so I can tell you that their work is not stress free by any means. Of course as with most medical jobs it depends on where you work. Hospital vs. clinic. In the hospital US techs are VERY busy and under a great deal of pressure to do routine scheduled exams AND accommodate inpatient orders as well as ER patients. You also have to be on call for the over night hours. It is a great career, but not easy by any means. I say chose what your heart wants to do, just make an informed decision. Best of luck whichever way you go.

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Hello lorarami.... I'm not looking for easy. In fact I like a good challenge. Heck my cleaning business Ihave now isn't stress free... its just ruining my spine. And that's even with a lot of core strengthening exercise. Plus no benefits ... I just need a positive change and of course more income so I can plan a good future for my son and I.

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

The nursing job market sucks right now. If you look around the site a bit, you'll find new grads in nursing are struggling to find jobs. There's a lot of networking and luck involved in the job hunt nowadays, and that isn't any different for nurses nowadays.

Do what you want to do, what you REALLY want to do, because there are no guarantees here, either.

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I think you should go for it then. I went to X-ray school because I let a friend talk me into it. What I really wanted to do was nursing. So here I am at 42 looking into nursing school. Follow your bliss, don't worry about the job market and everything will fall into place. I wish you the best!

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