So torn between Nursing and Social Work... advice?

[nybsn]

I'm in NYC at a community college, have about 45 credits. Originally, I was intending to do the BSN. I already have a background in EMS and PCA (phlebotomy/ekg) so it seemed like a logical degree choice. Thing is I heard that most schools (like LIU) give med calc tests every semester and you have to get 100, no less, on each one. I don't know how true this is, but this was a major turn off for me. I mean, so if you get a 90 or a 99 then they fail you? Come on now.

So I had switched over to Social work this past Spring, did two intro classes associated with it. I'm comfortable with the curriculum but I keep hearing horror stories about low pay and it's beginning to worry me. My friend's daughter got her BSW 5 years ago and landed a job making $55k. She got her LCSW about 2-3 years after that and is now making close to $75k. Still, everywhere I look online I keep hearing about low pay, the pay sucks, etc. I don't mind the work involved with being a social worker as long as the wage is enough to live on. I mean $60k-$75k is pretty decent, not rich but it will definitely do. I'm making a little over $41,000 right now as a PCA.

Now that I'm having doubts, my next choice was Occupational Therapy at Touro College. However, they only offer a full time curriculum, even their extended study is a full-time course load. The admissions person said most students in the program don't work and very few work part-time but it depends on the person. I don't mind working part time but she made it sound like it was going to be nearly impossible.

And now I'm back to re-considering nursing again. LIU has a part-time track but like I said, med calc tests that require 100 minimum to pass? I'm sorry, but that's terrifying.

Any advice?

[nurseactivist]

You don't have to love math you just have to learn it. In the large city I live in there are tons of grads with bachelor's of social work who are not employed. Most have to do LCSW which is a lengthy process. You know you like patients as an EMT. If the question is, would you prefer to focus on psycho-social issues, you can easily do that in community health nursing. If you like rehab (OT) you can work in a rehab as a nurse. That is the beauty of nursing. You can re-invent yourself fairly frequently by going into different specialties. If you are interested in the law, you can be a nurse legal consultant. Do you like the lab, research nurse, etc.

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

Not sure if one should pursue nursing because it "may be logical" based on your background. I'm going to be honest, but that struck a nerve just reading that. I think you need to take a step back and ask yourself, "why do I want to do nursing" before committing to the education and career.

[CNAdad3]

I am an LCSW, my husband is a CNA. You need a masters to call yourself a social worker in the state of Oregon. Graduate school took 3 years, and then another 3-8 years of clinical supervision to sit for the LCSW test, depending on how long it takes to log the required hours. It is a much longer road than nursing, but a wonderful field full of all kinds of possibilities. I am a family therapist and a hospital social worker and although at times the job is extremely stressful, it is very rewarding.

[mama12]

I, too, was torn between nursing and social work. I was accepted to two nursing programs and a MSW for this fall and really struggled with what to choose. In the end, after lots of discussions and research, I realized there are just so many career opportunities in the nursing path that I couldn't see or find in social work. That said, go with your gut!

[estheryuki]

can I ask why you left nursing? thank you

[estheryuki]

Never do anything for just the money.

I will tell you this; Social Work is just as demanding if not more draining than nursing. You often times end up being a patient advocate who gets all the crap that we in the healthcare do not want to deal with. You always have to deal with some overbearing family members. You will have to have a master's degree and the pay is awful.

Occupational therapy is a great field. Great salaries, but you will need a masters degree. I worked with tons of OT's over the years in rehab clinics. Good amount of jobs available.

Nursing is still the best choice IMO because it is the most wide open in terms of flexibility of career. You can switch to multiple areas with just your RN or BSN. You can go get more certifications or more education if you get bored with one area.

I still regret not finishing my nursing degree.

I'm sorry but can I ask why you left nursing? I hope its not an awkward question to answer. Thanks.