HaeleyN

Also there is no such thing as a "nurse aesthetician" I would go in as a nurse, you will be able to do more and make more money right away, it can take years to get a "following" even in a great place. Years as in 5-10 years. You an move up in the ranks as a nurse as well into a supervisory role and make alot more money (the derm I interviewed with had a nurse supervising the entire medi-spa he was opening).

Dont go for your esthetics liscense. I am an esthetician, its not a good time for this line of work, there is little demand in this economy and things dont look to be changing anytime soon. Plus you will make pretty much no money. Either you will get commision and unless you get clients (building a skin care clientele takes 5 times longer than hair and probably 3 times as long as massage) you get NO money or you get hourly which averages around $12 an hour. There are very very few openings for this job. Schools are generally expensive and you will be stuck holding the bill. I hope you took this job and never look back! There is nothing an esthetician can do that you cant be easily trained to do with the derm and more! Im hoping to be in your position when I finish school:yeah:

MT is super interesting to study, I just found the work itself very isolating and I did very well working with patients. If you enjoy being able to concentrate on your tasks and also know that what you are doing counts in making peoples health better lab work is a great balance. Good luck and keep me posted on your decision Im very interested to hear about it!

You and I sound like we have the same situation but flip-flopped! I went to school for MLT (luckily went for the associates and not the bachelors) and when I did my clinicals everyone I worked with was very much like you! MLTs (Or CLTs) MTs and cytotechnologists. It was not for me. I got really bad reviews on all my rotations and was basically depressed, worst in my class in my clinicals. Until my phlebotomy rotation. I got the best reviews in my class. Stellar grade! And my supervisor and advisor both sat down with me and told me flat out I needed to switch to nursing. From everything you said (and thats all I have to go on) it sounds to me like you need to switch to lab work! And yes for the degree levels the pay isnt as good but having done both programs I will say this. An associates nursing degree is harder than a bachelors lab degree and the pay is about the same for them. (not saying either is better or worse degree or judging its just a fact nursing degrees are really hard so if you got a lab degree I dont think you would feel unfairly paid in the end) and you can get other graduate degrees or certificates later that would also increase your pay. My SIL works as a MLT and loves her job, if you are suited for it Im sure you wouldnt be sorry. (sorry if this is a bit scrambled Im juggling a couple kids and this reply)