If you were going back to school, would you study nursing, respiratory therapy o

1. 67

   LoriSoardposted 13 years ago

   If you were going back to school, would you study nursing, respiratory therapy or IT?
   
   I am seriously thinking about going back to school to increase my earning potential. I can take two classes and start into the nursing program at my local college (anatomy classes - I was an English major and never had these). I think I'd really enjoy nursing, but I am 42. They also offer respiratory therapy, which is important in our allergy-prone area or I also toyed with IT, but not sure I'd enjoy that as much. I really love people. I think I'd like nursing, but I worry that I have a strong enough stomach for it or that pay will be greatly reduced with possible national health care coming.

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2. 67

   LoriSoardposted 13 years ago

   I also want to add that I really want something where I can work part-time for a steady income, but still pursue my writing and web design the other 50% of the time, so I'm also looking at that.

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3. 61

   Tmonicaposted 13 years ago

   I am an RN and I would say to go into nursing. It is very rewarding to help people everyday and I love my job. I am not saying it is for everyone but I have been doing it for years now. You can also work per diem, depending on the staffing you may be able to work part time, good luck!!!!

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4. 79

   Seeker7posted 13 years ago

   If I'd had a crystal ball 25 years ago I would have opted for IT instead of nursing. Just because at the present time it seems like if you have excellent computer know-how there seems to be limitless potential - as well as good prospects of working from home and earning a fairly good wage.
   
   Having said that, having been a nurse for 25 years it has been an epic journey of discovery - both of people, medical knowledge, technology advances and most of all myself. It's a career where you never stop learning, you never stop being amazed. On the other hand it can be the most stressful, dis-heartening and most impossible job on the planet. As to having the stomach for it. I honestly wouldn't worry, most doctors and nurses have something that makes them turn green. For me it was bones - the thought of a fracture made me ill! Yet I could watch someone getting their gall bladder removed or a huge wound stitched and it wouldn't bother me at all.
   
   What I would say about nursing now is that I think it is a more exciting career than it ever used to be. Once you get  one to three years post training experience there are endless exciting opportunities such as becoming a nurse specialist, health visitor and so on. Many of these posts are part time and pay well. I know that within the UK at least, there are many nursing posts within hospitals and community facilities that are part time and would allow you to do other things. At forty-two your still young enough to have a great career.

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5. 61

   Tiger Momposted 13 years ago

   LoriSoard, RNs usually work 12 hour shifts.  If you are not physically up to it, then move onto respiratory therapy or IT, who have regular 8 hour days.

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6. 0

   SmarttChickposted 13 years ago

   Personally, I don't like to see people going into nursing unless they have a great desire to help people who are ill feel better and improve the quality of health care. If you're not inspired to serve your fellow human beings, I would say go into IT. No one wants to be lying in a hospital bed, in pain, or frightened, and have to deal with a nurse who's had a bad week, especially when s/he went into the profession for all the perks.
   
   This goes somewhat for the other health professions, but especially for the nursing and physician roles. 
   
   Since you really love people, I think you're in the right place to consider nursing and that you'd be quite good.  There are lots of options in nursing that have less blood and guts than others, so if you can get through the schooling, you can then move into an area that you love.
   
   Good luck!!

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