Career crisis which should I choose?

Question

I would like serious answers to this please! I am in the process of applying to do a degree and am torn between two subjects. I am 32 and have been working in IT.I have narrowed it down to Psychology or Veterinary Nursing. I know Psychology is better paid but my motivations are really spurred on by caring and making a difference. The problem is I see both these careers as caring so what criteria should I make a decision on? I considered human nursing but I am worried I would not cope well with it. I could do psychology as I have my own experiences in this area....and as for the veterinary nursing I have looked after animals for years and am really interested in their wellbeing.

Any opinions from people working in either of these industries or perhaps some advice as to how I could decide. I want to make a difference to people fundamentally but I guess that would also be the case if I was treating their animals. Help!!! Thanks a lot. Cheers!

Answer 1

I have read a few studies which show that people who work with animals are amongst the happiest of all. It seems to release seratonins when you stroke, touch and interact with them. Personally I am not that interested in animals, and would not even want a pet, but it I have a gut feeling that you're the sort of person who would gain great happiness from vetinary work - and it's not THAT badly paid.

Answer 2

Hi, reading what you have said, it seems you are drawn to nursing. You are worried and that is, of course, understandable. Although you mention animals, it is not with the same passion that you have mention nursing and psychology. Based on what you have written, I say follow your heart and take a degree in nursing psychology. If, after a year, you decide this is really not for you, you can always change to veterinary nursing. Either way, I think you will find that these careers will give you the job satisfaction you desire. Good luck

Answer 3

Speaking as someone who has no interest in caring as a profession, I can only say that you should not leave this decision to anyone except you.
As career this should be the position you will retire from.
The commitment required for either path is , to be frank , life changing.
As a vet you would deal will death of beloved family pets and should use a minimum of psychology to help the bereaved 'parents'.
As any type of psycho-analyst you would deal with all the psychosis of the frail human mind.
You WILL take your work home and it will impact on not only your family life, but also your social life.

Take your time, look into the things you will be required for each position and decide whether you can handle all the consequences!

And Good Luck whichever way you go!

Answer 4

FireFighters don't just have it easy, a lot of training goes into doing what you do. 1st of all you have to be in good physical shape, be alert, and willing to learn. I'm a firefighter and couldn't imagine doing anything else, i love it. I'm both a career and volunteer FF. It's really physically demanding and mentally stressful at times but it's probably the most rewarding job i could think of. We don't make a ton of money... depending where you live but you have a REALLY sweet work schedule. You said you wanted to have a family, perfect job. You go to work for 24 hrs then have off for 48 hrs. So, every day you work is both Monday and Friday at the same time. If you aren't too sure if you want to make a career out of it depending on where you live i'd go to your local fire station ( if they offer volunteering) and volunteer. You meet a lot of great people. It's just the same as a career firefighter , you just don't get paid. That way you can still see if you want to do something else why you try it out. Don't think it's an easy job though, yea we have a lot of down time but on min you might be sitting down next your riding code 3 to a call in the dead of night to a house that's fully involved knowing you have to go in there and don't know if you will be pulling someone out or not. I love it, get's your adrenaline going. Good luck!

Answer 5

Go for Veterinary Nursing and continue the Psychology on Open University when you can

Good Luck

Answer 6

I have been a nurse for 25 years. I haven't been at the bedside for 12 years (been in management) but recently returned as a bedside nurse. You are young enough to do the job as a nurse to humans, but if your first inclination is to care for animals, then go for it. But also consider the average age of nurses today in the US is 47 years old and basically you can go anywhere and get a job as a nurse. I don't know if I could say the same for the 'veterinary tech' position. Our health care system here in the US is pushing people out of the hospital quicker and sicker. Nurses hardly have any time to spend on their patients. If you need any further info, contact me, I'd be happy to discuss it further with you. Good Luck in whatever you do!!!

Answer 7

I'm in nursing now , and that's why i got in to it because i wanted to help and care for people but it doesn't work like that anymore
the employers don't give you enouch time to care for each and
other patient that you have that day they over work you . one nurse is to do the work of 3-4 nurses and the patients suffer from it and they end up thinking your a bad nurse, and if you don't get all the work done for your shift and done right your in trouble. the patient ends up lacking in care. i wound do the veterinary
thing because there just is not enough people that care about the animals and wound not be no where as stressful as humans

Answer 8

Unless you have a doctorate, Psychology does not pay well. If a masters-level therapist is scheduled at a mental health clinic to see 11 clients and only 2 show up, that therapist only gets paid for two hours. I rarely have more than 4 of the clients show up, so the total take-home salary for the day is usually 50 dollars or less.

Answer 9

I recommend the natural health company Forever Living Products - you can do as many or as few hours as you like and typically on 1-2 hours a day you will earn £1200 per month after 5 months and £30-£40k per year after 2-3 years - if you do more hours you should get more.

They are a $2 billion company growing at 25% per year and need a lot more people - no investment required also, regulated by Dti and Office of Fair trading and have investors in people award also.

link is: www.efi-international.com

Answer 10

You need to ask yourself, would you rather deal with other peoples problems everyday, and work for yourself. or Deal with animals, but have a boss hanging over your head? Do you feel that you have it in yourself to write reports on every patient, and be on call 24/7 for the rest of your career? Being a Vet assist you are able to move up to become a vet, which in the end might be less stressful.