Thinking of switching from Dental Hygiene

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Hello all!

I need some help. I am a dental hygienist and I live in Sugar Land (outside of Houston). My son spend the weekend at Texas Children's Hospital a few weeks ago and while I was chatting with the nurses, they told me that they were making over $100,000! The overnight ER nurse said that he made $150k and when my husband and I mentioned it to our staff nurse, she said she made over $100k. She said that he did get an extra $5 for being overnight. She only works 3 days (12 hour shifts).

My question comes to this. I love being a dental hygienist, but it can be hard on my back and also very, very repetitive. I currently make $35 an hour. While I do love being a hygienist, there is not much room for salary growth, nor are there tons of different options such as with nursing. I can still care for my patients like I currently do, but because the two professions are similar, I know that I would enjoy nursing.

While I understand that I would not make that amount of money for a couple of years, how far fetched did those salaries sound? I've read on the forums and seen that new grads would make $26 or so. When I first graduated I made more than that, so I would want to be able to accelerate faster, is it always just simply based on time of experience? Is that high salary range only at TCH?

Also, I have a huge interest in surgery. Does a surgical nurse have to have a certification? How long does that take and what would the salary range be for that? What about pediatrics such as at TCH?

The information you can give me would be wonderful!!!!

If I go to school, I would go to UT-H as I have already been in the system going to UT Dental Branch and would get the BSN as I already have a BSDH.

Thanks a million!!!!!!!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Tooth,

Did you ask how much of that total salary was due to overtime? I would suspect that this is the case. Pediatric nursing is a specialty area, and these 'rare gems' are always in short supply. TCH obviously values their staff nurses and intends to keep them - as evidenced by the 'happy campers' you spoke with.

Surgical nursing is a specialty area & entry is usually via a facility-based formal training program of ~6 months or longer. Many facilities have opened up their perioperative internship programs to new grads.

Switching to nursing would certainly increase your career opportunities. You would start as a new grad, with a lower salary than you currently make - and have to work your way back up the pay scale. You would also be required to work weekends & probably nights. You also need to be aware that beside nursing is very physical; back injuries are still more common among nurses than traditional 'heavy' industries like truck driving. I say Go For It!! :yeah:

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She said that she only worked the three days per week and that it was 3 twelve hour shifts. She also said that it was self-scheduling, and she could pick the days she wanted. She did not mention over time at all, other than picking up an extra shift before vacation for extra spending money.

Does it take a long time to get to the higher pay scales? I would hope not, but I can't imagine getting a several dollar an hour pay raise every few months. Know what I mean? If I make $35/hour now, but start out at $26....then I would need a considerable raise each time just to be making that amount within a couple of years.

Thanks!

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I'm also curious as to what an RN would make in a private office? I don't see any mention of that at all on these forums. For instance, someone that works at an OB/GYN office. What about the private surgical clinics like Fannin Surgicare, next to Texas Women's. Just some thoughts..... =)

If anyone would like to give their 2 cents, I'd absolutely love to hear it!

Thanks!!!!!!

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Hi there!

It is so interesting to hear that you're thinking of switching from hygiene. When I first started my prereqs I was intending on going for hygiene instead of nursing but basically was talked out of it by people telling me that I would have a hard time finding a good job because of flooded markets. I've also heard that burn out is common because you do the same thing all day every day. Anywho, I've decided for job security I would do nursing instead. Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best of luck! :heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat

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Oh, I was also going to tell you there is a similar discussion (RN vs RDH) on www.amyrdh.com. Just click on RDH RESOURCES and than ONLINE RDH FORUM. :D

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I would say that those salaries in the $100,000 to $150,000 for RNs are the exception and not the rule. The majority of RNs are not making that type of salary. The majority are probably closer to half that.

If you're going to switch from DH to RN based on salary, really look into it before making the switch. Also, you may want to look at the physical requirements as well. If DH is causing problems with your back, you will want to look into what the physical requirements are for RNs in whatever area you are interested.

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

I don't know any RN that makes that kind of money (even NPs...) that isn't agency or doing a TON of OT. I doubt you'd advance to 35/hr even within 5 years. (Maybe TCH..I'm near med center and RNs I work with don't make that much as base pay with 5 years exp..).

I started out going for my BSDH and switched to nursing after I did my prereqs (good thing they were about the same). I had talked to several DHs and they all said they wished they would have done nursing since you can switch specialties. I do love that it's never repetitive but sometimes I wish I could sit down for a few hours or have normal working hours.

I agree w/ the above poster on the back problems. Nursing ISN'T going to help. And with MD offices...I don't think they really use RNs anymore. MAs are so much cheaper and do the same functions that an RN would do in an office.

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I was a dental hygienist for almost 5 years before I decided to make the switch to nursing. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made. When I moved to Texas, I had a hard time finding a dental hygiene position. I eventually had to settle for a mediocre office 45 minutes away from my home, with no benefits. I had to accept a low hourly wage because the dentist was cheap and I really needed a job. I personally never got any satisfaction from hygiene and dreaded going to work everyday.

I just graduated with my BSN this May and am working as a NICU nurse. I love it!! I also love my benefits and the three day work week. I work nights, but I don't mind and I actually make more than I did as a hygienist (then again, I wasn't paid what I was worth). The opportunities in nursing are endless. I don't know why I didn't choose this career in the first place.

I say go for it. You won't regret it!

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Specializes in NICU,Mother-Baby,L&D.

This thread is i godesend! I am currently working on pre reqs with the intention of becoming a dental hygienist. But as i have been researching there is no opportunity for growth in this field. I am a wife and mom of 2 and in deseparate need of job security so i think a RN would be the best field for me!

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I am an RDH and I'm switching too, I love hygiene but am looking at how its going to be in the long run

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