MT going back to school....

My two career choices are either nursing, really interested in psych, or a dental hygienist.

I know more about nursing than the dental and was wondering if anyone could give me any insight on either one, as far as school, working conditions, salaries, anything basically.

I think I would enjoy nursing more, but the schedule for the hygienist appeals to me more with 2 young kids at home.  In my area, the schooling is about the same and the salary seems about the same too.

TIA!

• MT going back to school.... - sm please..
  • I went back to school this year - MT for too long
    • I am not sure about the waiting lists here yet, - sm please..
  • school - anon
    • Well at this point, who cares about that? I have an LPN friend that makes $26 an hour - sm
      • She makes that much just as an LPN? What - OP
        • LPN salaries - Unhappy Camper
    • I have to disagree. Most hospitals have migrated to EMR & RNs are able to fill in online forms - rather than do a lot of writing. (sm)
      • My main reasons for looking to enter any job are: - sm please..
        • Everyone has to take care of their family, but your last comment - is what you probably need to (sm)
          • Yes, with both, the money is about the same, so - sm please..
            • Have you considered Physical Therapy? - Unhappy Camper
              • I have a friend who did that, and the 2-year degree I don't think - sm please..
                • Salary range - Unhappy Camper
                  • Yeah, the $60,000 is more what I am interested in. - sm please..
    • That is what I was thinking that you could always - sm please..
      • Call local dentists and see if you could talk (see inside) - deb
        • That's a good idea. I am due back to get - sm please..

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I went back to school at 45 with 5 kids (26, 24, 19, 14 and 10).  I have a few comments.  First of all, school at 45 is very different than school at 20.  One thing I noticed is that it is much easier.  Classes have been watered down, except for math classes, which are a little different.  Kids do not write as well as we had to when I was first in college.   Second, for whatever reason,  it is much easier to pull As than when I was younger.  I go to class every class and I study because I have less distractions and yes, less hormones.  I am not partying anywhere, and my car knows the way to school.  No  one is making me go.

I took my first CNA class this semester and basically changed adult diapers and helped feed elderly folks.  I also helped with showers and changed colostomy bags.  They can dress it up any way they want, but frankly, that is what you are doing.  No blood or guts, just a lot of poop.

As far as money goes, I already had an associates degree, so they will only pay for classes that are absolutely necessary to your degree.  I did not qualify for any scholarship money due to age or income or anything else.  Basically I paid for my classes and the hospital I work for is supposed to reimburse me when I finish my class.

The hospital I work for, when I am clinicals, is supposed to have a few scholarships available which equate to about 4500 per year.  As my work time will be cut back to approximately half, I am going to have to figure out how to make it.  Also, I will have to figure out how to maintain hospital benefits at only half time...as....this does not work out.  

That is my returning to school story.  I hope that it is helpful. I would like to know what first year nursing students are doing if anybody has that information as far as patient care, etc. and what books, etc. they found helpful.

I am really ticked at my QA department these days.  Had a report – not the best dictator, which is why I listened to it for a total of 3 times to be accurate!  Clearly the doctor said hyperglycemia.  At first I thought hypercholesterolemia but upon playing it over 2 more times I could hear the “glycemia.”  QA changed it to hypercholesterolemia and put a note on the “corrected” version that had I run spell checker it would have caught this.  Okay, first of all with this particular VPN system you must run spell check before uploading!  And second of all, no, spell checker would not flag a correctly spelled medical term!  Come on now!  Pick up the medical dictionary and look.  It is in my book.  Heck I hear that word on television.  Get a clue already.

This is the same QA that I go round and round with about hyphens.  I type “The patient is well developed and well nourished.”  It is to be done this way as per the BOS, yet a few will put in hyphens.  To the best of my knowledge you only use hyphens when the sentence reads:  Well-developed, well-nourished male/female in no acute distress. 

There are some really great QA people out there (((hugs))) and unfortunately some that need to go back to MT school.  Sometimes I wonder why I fight so hard to keep our jobs here in the U.S.   I know that I am not QA quality with less than 5 years under my belt, but please do not treat me like complete *****.  When I see some of these QA fixes and research it makes me wonder how they came into their positions.  I once had a CMT/QA person tell me there is no such thing as a DIP joint.  Okay, pick up an ortho book by Stedman’s.  Yeah, it’s in there!

Sorry to go on and on.  Just needed to get this off my chest.

Remember, you will be on your feet most of the time. Be sure that the school you go to is accepted by different places of employment. I worked in a hospital, and the Director of Pharmacy would not accept candidates from certain schools.

I've been an MT forever, and am now 58.   Retirement for me will be out of the question, but as we all know, the MT profession has taken a nosedive in past years, and the outlook is bleak.

From what I've read so far, an ultrasound tech can become certified at the proper schools without having to already have had extensive college.  (Only 2 years here, and that was in English, not pre-med, biology, science, etc.)   

Have any of you tried the same thing, or know people who have?  I definitely have to do SOMETHING, and time is obviously running out.  I also don't care for nursing. 

Any feedback appreciated!!!     

I would like to further my education in a more stable field that will never outsource.  I am constantly worrying about the state of the MT field.  I asked my husband if he would be okay with me going back to school to become a dental hygenist. He said absolutely not and to stop panicking.  He said Speris is not sending all the jobs to India, and he refuses to babysit at night when he works all day.  I am so ------.  I need his help to succeed because I do not have any family to depend on.  How can I realize my dreams.  Thanks for letting me vent.  So mad I can spit.

a new career after 16+ years in this business!!  I love MT but it's time for something with a steady paycheck and longevity.  Good luck to you and to the rest of us in your shoes!!   :)

I can not believe how rude you all are...  I make a simple statement and everyone jumps all over me?  If you all lived in our neighborhood and saw house after house with tree down, where you can see the roots are barely in the ground because they were planted so shallow, with no room to grow because the curb and the sidewalk are on each side, and you talked to all of my other neighbors who all feel the same way, then maybe you wouldn't be so quick to pass judgement.  I think it's ironic that everyone else I've talked to in person finds it surprising that trees as big as these were, that have been there a decent amount of time (2+ years) did this.  I have six trees in my backyard that were only planted 2 months ago, but were planted the right way and are fine...  I am not an expert on Arizona weather, having only lived here 2 years, but it doesn't take a genius to look at the way these trees roots are so shallow to know there is a problem.  The other tree snapping in two is not something I blame on the landscapers, it was obvious that it has a very thin trunk and was never very strong. 

God forbid anyone make a passing comment on what is obviously "your board".  And no need to respond anymore, you've made it very clear that newcomers are not welcome.

I was worried about because, let's face it, my short term memory isn't what it used to be LOL. Plus the program is ONLY full time. They had 1000 applicants and picked the top 70 of us. If you didn't have a 3.5 GPA, you didn't get in. But I am doing really well in school - after I got past the shock of the first 6 weeks - tons of work- and I am at the top of my class. My husband, bless his heart, is doing all the cooking and we are basically kind of ignoring the dirt. My house will be clean again another day. I am finishing up my second semester, have 3 more semesters for a BSN, and then another 2.5 years to get my masters and be an advanced practice nurse. 41 is definitely not too old! You will have to work smart to save your back but it can be done. Also MT is starting a slow slide out...you would be smart to start your second career now while you still have a job... IMHO

good luck!

How frustrating - 1 day in school and now a "bug".  We had this in our house before the holidays.  Everyone in the family had a turn with it, and now again!  I think antiseptic and antibacterials are needed in these schools.   Can't afford to be down for even 24 hours!

Just needed to vent my frustration here - my poor kiddies!