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.
Thanks Cola89. If I were to pursue nursing, I think your advice about getting that bedside experience first is the right way to go. Maybe I should explain the thing about not wanting to perform tasks on people. If I go see a patient and the pt. is cognitively fine, doesn't miss a beat during rehabilitation, then I should be able to discharge him/her, no? For instance, I was assigned to treat a gun shot victim. He was shot in the shoulder. His swallowing, speech, and cognition were fine. This was verified by my supervisor. But he was still put on therapy. Every time I went to see this guy, he would get belligerent. He didn't need therapy, but I still had to give it. That's what I meant.
Thanks Cola89. If I were to pursue nursing, I think your advice about getting that bedside experience first is the right way to go. Maybe I should explain the thing about not wanting to perform tasks on people. If I go see a patient and the pt. is cognitively fine, doesn't miss a beat during rehabilitation, then I should be able to discharge him/her, no? For instance, I was assigned to treat a gun shot victim. He was shot in the shoulder. His swallowing, speech, and cognition were fine. This was verified by my supervisor. But he was still put on therapy. Every time I went to see this guy, he would get belligerent. He didn't need therapy, but I still had to give it. That's what I meant.
If I had a quarter for every time a patient or their family refused a reasonable task and then became belligerent, well, let's just say I would not need nursing to support my family any longer.
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
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.
Everything sucks when you're new and still overwhelmed. Being a nurse is no different. Why don't you make a list of the specific things about your current job that are making you look for the exits. Then we can offer a comparison that'll be useful to you.
If one of your problems is that you have too much to do and not enough time to do it in, nursing will not improve your life.
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
Also, do not underestimate the marvelousness of working day shift, with weekends and holidays off. Might not be a deal-breaker for you, but always something to keep in mind.
Maybe I'm missing it, but you didn't really say WHY you're unhappy with your job. Is it just that the caseload is too big? Because if that's it, it will be the same if not worse in nursing. The patients are very sick and no matter what you do, it's never enough and people aren't happy. You simply can't be in more than one place at a time but you are expected to. And have all your meds done on time.
My speech language pathologist when I was in school was the best. She saved me from a lifetime of embarrassment over not being able to pronounce things correctly. She made it fun and that small portion of the day was my favorite!
Thanks Cola89. If I were to pursue nursing, I think your advice about getting that bedside experience first is the right way to go. Maybe I should explain the thing about not wanting to perform tasks on people. If I go see a patient and the pt. is cognitively fine, doesn't miss a beat during rehabilitation, then I should be able to discharge him/her, no? For instance, I was assigned to treat a gun shot victim. He was shot in the shoulder. His swallowing, speech, and cognition were fine. This was verified by my supervisor. But he was still put on therapy. Every time I went to see this guy, he would get belligerent. He didn't need therapy, but I still had to give it. That's what I meant.
When the patient refused treatment, why did you continue to see him? Patients have the right to refuse treatment. Where I am, if a patient refused treatment, the SLP would document the patient's refusal, notify the doctor, the doctor would reassess the patient, if the patient still needed SLP services and the patient agreed to treatment, the physician would re-refer them. If the patient did not need SLP services, it would be documented that it was not required.
It will probably not be any better. the grass is usually not greener on the other end. You will have to deal with a lot more bs as a nurse than a SLP. Nursing is one of the most upsetting professions both academically and working wise. I have done other things besides nursing, not everything, but if you want to make your life difficult then go back to nursing school. Plus its more liability both at graduate and undergraduate level
I would explore more options at SLP. There are other versions of your job that just working in a school. See what else is out there in regards to work setting. My wife who is a nurse is actually looking into becoming a SLP. The grass isnt greener that I can guarantee you!
My first choice in going back to school was SLP. I checked out the one local college that offers it. I've never met an unhappy SLP. Not that there aren't any, but they are few and far between I think. I ultimately decided against it because I have kids and can't move to got to graduate school, if I even got in. And you can't do anything with just a bachelor's. Nursing has so many opportunities and different avenues you can pursue. You should definitely spend more time in a hospital setting, shadowing nurses. And just realize that if you go back to school, you are adding to all the student loan debt you probably already have. Many don't want that extra burden.
Changing careers is a difficult decision but people do change careers all the time.
You say you are a newbie SLP, how new/how long have you been working as an SLP? It takes many years to test the waters of a new career.
Maybe you should take the next few years to give your career a good chance, and in the mean-time take some nursing pre-requisite courses at night/on weekends, as well as shadow some nurses. This will give you time in your career to see if you really do not like it, or maybe you just need more experience/different work setting to become comfortable with SLP and enjoy it. You can test out the science courses as well and see how you do in Anatomy and Physiology which require a lot of rote memorization. If after two years you have enjoyed the pre-reqs, and still DON'T enjoy SLP, and can financially change careers, then do it. Be patient and test the waters and if you still want to be a nurse after these steps then you will have proved to yourself that it could be for you. Other posters have said they have never heard of SLPs becoming nurses and only have heard of vice versa,.... but maybe you can become the first. Just make sure you give SLP a well deserved chance first, because I have heard that degree is also rigorous and I am sure you worked hard for it.
-To the rest of the thread, Let's try to give the OP "actionable" feedback
SLPrnTobe
9 Posts
Thanks Cola89. If I were to pursue nursing, I think your advice about getting that bedside experience first is the right way to go. Maybe I should explain the thing about not wanting to perform tasks on people. If I go see a patient and the pt. is cognitively fine, doesn't miss a beat during rehabilitation, then I should be able to discharge him/her, no? For instance, I was assigned to treat a gun shot victim. He was shot in the shoulder. His swallowing, speech, and cognition were fine. This was verified by my supervisor. But he was still put on therapy. Every time I went to see this guy, he would get belligerent. He didn't need therapy, but I still had to give it. That's what I meant.