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.
Some of my classmates are very happy being SLP's. They are making a ton of cash by doing the combo work thing. There is nothing wrong with that. I could too, but at this point I want to learn more from my experiences. I also have co-workers who have been doing it for years and hate it. As far as my reasons not boding well; well that's your opinion. Thanks for commenting.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
This is my 11th year on these forums, but the very first post from a PT, OT or ST who wants to switch careers to nursing. Usually it's the other way around.
Anyhow, in the inpatient hospital or nursing home setting, STs are usually paid well and respected highly by the multidisciplinary team, whereas nurses are viewed as an undereducated nuisance and another expense to be minimized. Your salary and job satisfaction will likely plummet if you switch to nursing.
In addition, you might be working evenings, nights and weekends as a nurse. You'll definitely be working holidays. Most importantly, the nurse is the catch-all for everything that goes wrong in the inpatient setting. Your food is cold? Tell the nurse. Your trash is overflowing? Tell the nurse. Your TV is broken? Tell the nurse...
Some of my classmates are very happy being SLP's. They are making a ton of cash by doing the combo work thing. There is nothing wrong with that. I could too, but at this point I want to learn more from my experiences. I also have co-workers who have been doing it for years and hate it. As far as my reasons not boding well; well that's your opinion. Thanks for commenting.
You are right ED Nurse. I have thought about almost everything you mentioned. The good thing about being an SLP is that I can explore different opportunities without having to quit being an SLP. Which is why I posted my question. Previously, I wanted to be a nurse, but didn't think I could handle the math and science requirements. I was not born here so school was very hard for me. Long story short, the speech pathologist licensing board changed their standards and I had to take statistics and chemistry. I ended up acing them. Which made me rethink nursing. I know it would be a long road and that is why I'm looking for informative comments like yours. Thanks.
Some of my classmates are very happy being SLP's. They are making a ton of cash by doing the combo work thing. There is nothing wrong with that. I could too, but at this point I want to learn more from my experiences. I also have co-workers who have been doing it for years and hate it. As far as my reasons not boding well; well that's your opinion. Thanks for commenting.
Are we only supposed to comment if we agree you should switch to nursing? Obviously the vast majority are telling you to stick it out awhile longer since you are a novice.
If you don't want opinions that discourage you from doing something that you obviously have your mind set on, then don't ask for opinions on a public forum. We aren't here to blow sunshine and unicorns- we are giving you reasonable, just, and founded reasons to not become a nurse.
Working as a nurse has its unpleasant aspects. You mentioned not wanting to perform tasks on people who don't want them. As a bedside nurse, you would perform some tasks, usually tasks that might be viewed as less central to our profession, but imperative nonetheless.
For instance: Shots- I've had a couple people complain about the burning associated with lovenox shots. It's a thing that's quickly given, so like I said, it's less central to our profession, but necessary. Foley catheters- I haven't met one person who seemed thrilled to have one inserted. Same with IV starts.
That being said, you might enjoy the comparatively enhanced flexibility nursing affords. Would it be possible for you to shadow a nurse for a few hours at work? Another thing is that you might find bedside nursing while you're in the process of obtaining your NP degree comparatively better than Speech Therapy. I'm not quite sure, but you might! Or might not! Nursing has it's own woes, so I really suggest that you try some job shadowing before investing much money.
Well, there is a first time for everything right? I can't believe anyone would think a nurse is uneducated and not important. I looked at the nursing curriculum and the classes are no joke. I, unfortunately, have been hospitalized a few times and some of the nurses appeared to know more than the doctors. In fact, when I was giving birth to my child, the doctors were very uncaring and the nurse provided the best care. I still thank that nurse until this day for all her help. Anywho, thanks for your insight.
Absolutely not, anyone can post what they want. Most of you appear to think I'm crazy and that's fine. Maybe I am. I didn't think I insulted anyone. If that's how it comes off, then I apologize.
I'm happy about all the insightful comments, pro or not.
Well, there is a first time for everything right? I can't believe anyone would think a nurse is uneducated and not important. I looked at the nursing curriculum and the classes are no joke. I, unfortunately, have been hospitalized a few times and some of the nurses appeared to know more than the doctors. In fact, when I was giving birth to my child, the doctors were very uncaring and the nurse provided the best care. I still thank that nurse until this day for all her help. Anywho, thanks for your insight.
Where did any nurse say we consider ourselves uneducated and not important? Basing a very large and costly career change should not be made bc you've had good experiences when treated by nurses.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Where did any nurse say we consider ourselves uneducated and not important?
I think she's referring to my post above. I mentioned that I've worked at places where administration didn't value nurses because we couldn't charge for services. Rather, we were viewed as undereducated expenses, and our services were neatly being woven into the daily rate along with the toothpaste, comb and dispenser soap.
I've been told many times that nurses are the least-educated members of a facility's interdisciplinary team of professionals.
Well, there is a first time for everything right? I can't believe anyone would think a nurse is uneducated and not important. I looked at the nursing curriculum and the classes are no joke. I, unfortunately, have been hospitalized a few times and some of the nurses appeared to know more than the doctors. In fact, when I was giving birth to my child, the doctors were very uncaring and the nurse provided the best care. I still thank that nurse until this day for all her help. Anywho, thanks for your insight.
I appreciate this comment, but many people think we are uneducated and "bed pan slingers." I've had many inappropriate comments of the sort over the years. I imagine the fact that some places have nurses dump trash and other such duties probably influence these opinions. Nursing is half professional and part blue collar in any hospital environment and not everyone can do both.
If you really want to, I'd recommend following a nurse for a day if you have the ability.
no one is discouraging you completely, I think the concern is you may not have an accurate picture of what we do and we think that your job sounds like a better gig especially considering the cost and education you've already invested in a professional fairly secure career.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
OP the grass ain't always greener. I suggest you read some threads around here and get a feel for what real nursing is about before you incur a lot of debt going to nursing school and find yourself disappointed. Nursing ain't a bed of roses either.
SLPrnTobe
9 Posts
Some of my classmates are very happy being SLP's. They are making a ton of cash by doing the combo work thing. There is nothing wrong with that. I could too, but at this point I want to learn more from my experiences. I also have co-workers who have been doing it for years and hate it. As far as my reasons not boding well; well that's your opinion. Thanks for commenting.