Unhappy Speech Pathologist

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Hi all,

I'm a newbie speech pathologist who works in a school. I'm very unhappy with my job. Previously, I did two internships in a hospital. I sort of enjoyed it, but hated the fact that I was forced to give therapy to adults who didn't want any part of it. Anyways long story short, I've been thinking about a career change to nursing.

Obviously I don't know all the things a nurse has to do because my role was to provide rehab and assess acute patients for swallowing and cognitive problems. I have seen plenty of gross stuff and smelled plenty of nasty odors, especially when doing evaluations on a pts. with no oral care:).

I basically have 2 options, do a one year AMSN or a 2.5 yr part time bsn. I already have a masters and don't know if getting another will give me a leg up when getting a nursing job. Also, if I go the part time bsn route, I can still work full time. If I switch to nursing, my ultimate goal would be to become an advanced practice nurse.

I have read many posts stating that nursing sucks. Are you happy with your job? What input can you guys give to a person in my position. Thanks.

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I am happy with my job, the speech language pathologists that I know are happy with their jobs, I am not sure if you think the grass is greener on the other side or not. If you were unhappy working with the patients in hospital and you are currently unhappy working with the students in school, is it the SLP skill set you are dissatisfied with or the clients?

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Specializes in Oncology.

Change to nursing and in a few years you can write a post titled "Unhappier registered nurse."

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Lol, okay. Thanks I guess.

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Not sure if the grass is greener. Which is why I ask. I feel burned out and I just started. My client caseload is at 60 right now, and sometimes I see about 30 something kids in a day. The clients are not the problem. Some of the kids make my day. In terms of my skill set, I am a newbie so I have plenty to learn, but so far my supervisor says I'm doing well.

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Specializes in Ortho.

I'd rather be a SLP. You only have 1 pt at a time vs 6.

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Oh I wish it was only one pt. I usually have groups of 2-4 every half hour. That means I see at least 24 kids a day.

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Our SLP's are happy. They work a combo of peds (I think in schools but not sure) and part time with us in home health. Well paid and respected.

Your reasons for not liking ST so far does not bode well for liking nursing.

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

You've only been in your career for a year and I'm sure have debt from your undergrad and graduate degrees- why add additional debt for something you more than likely will not enjoy. Instead of jumping ship, why not explore other avenues within your scope of practice. The things you hate about your current profession may seem petty in comparison to what you will have to do as a nurse. Also, if you want to be advanced practice, you want, I say need, practical bedside experience. You are looking at another 5+ years to get where you want as a nurse, and that's a kind estimation.

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Not sure if the grass is greener. Which is why I ask. I feel burned out and I just started. My client caseload is at 60 right now, and sometimes I see about 30 something kids in a day. The clients are not the problem. Some of the kids make my day. In terms of my skill set, I am a newbie so I have plenty to learn, but so far my supervisor says I'm doing well.

A heavy case load can cause burn out in any profession, as far as case loads go, NPs have higher case loads with greater responsibility than SLPs. You are doing well in your current position but you are still at the novice level so it is premature to have gained perspective. If you continue working as a SLP for five more years you will reach a proficient level and be in a better position to make a career decision.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

Your comments for not liking slp mentioned helping people who don't want it, and a high caseload.

that won't go away with nursing, it will be magnified.

Remember nursing is all aspects of a pts well being. I can tell you most days I feel I don't enough time todo the things I wanted to do for my pts.

Also every new nurse comes on here complaining of similar issues with high case loads just like you. It takes 1 to 2 years to get comfortable in a new role.

If you don't already, you need to find an SLP you can vent to and perhaps have as a mentor. It helps.

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Perhaps your setting is not the right one for you?

Have you looked around for a different setting like home care, hospital, LTC ?

There is a real difference between kids and what you do now and perhaps the traditional speech and swallow education and evaluation. In home care they usually work only part time or as needed depending on the size of the agency but they do a lot of different things including concurrent visits when a pat has radiation for some cancer neck/throat.

Perhaps you are just tired of seeing kids?

If you can take some days off and can afford to go away you could also see if a rest changes the way you feel about your profession.

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