Which medical career should I go in to? I am not sure on what to do but I know I want to be in the medical fi

Question

I want to be in the medical field. I have considered being a nurse practitioner, physician's assistant, registered nurse, occupational therapist, and a dental hygienist. The duties of nursing seem overwhelming but I would get to help people, occupational therapy seem very physical, dental hygienists have to look in peoples mouths and the nurse practitioners and physician assistants are responsible for diagnosing and prescribing medicine which could be very challenging and overwhelming. I like all of the careers because I would get to help people and they are in demand, but I can not decide on which one. Can someone give me any opinions, experience, or anything on these careers that would help me? Thanks

Answer 1

Dental hygienist - good hours; more flexible than other fields.

Occupational therapist - intensive patient interaction.

Nurse practitioners & physician assistants - garner lots of respect & in high demand.

Nursing - vital to keeping hospitals & doctors' offices running. In high demand. Downside - the hours.

Consider interning or shadowing people in these jobs to get a clearer picture of what work is like.

Take an inventory of your personal strengths & weaknesses (e.g. academic interests, personality, physical stamina).

Personally - I think working as an occupational therapist, nurse practitioner or physician's assistant would be the most interesting because of the intensive patient contact.

Answer 2

You're right, you can get into a four year college with a 2.6 GPA. But that doesn't mean you're prepared for the course work involved. I know many people who get into universities and drop out after a semester or two, realizing they are not ready for the intensity. Medical careers are especially demanding, so if you didn't take AP Biology because of the course load, then I would suggest looking into other career opportunities. Not only is the schooling pathetically demanding and time consuming (expect your social life to dwindle down to non-existence and your sleeping hours cut in half), but the actual career will be as well. Nurses, for instance, work more than 50 hours on a good week. Usually more. Chemistry and math both play major parts in the medical field. I just audited my Bachelors of Science in Biology an hour ago, and I dread the 12 credit hours of math and the 20 credit hours of chemistry I have ahead of me to complete, but that is what this is all about. Technical school alternatives are a possibility if you are keen on a medical career. To achieve a Bachelors degree in nursing, etc. is difficult and competitive.

Answer 3

I am in my first year of medical school now and would encourage you to talk to people that are currently working in each of the positions you're interesting in.

If you are afraid of the responsibility involved in NP & PA that may be a sign that it's not something for you, but at the same time it can be a good way to stretch yourself and find out that you are more talented than you give yourself credit for!

Since you describe the role of a dental hygienist as some one who "has" to look in peoples' mouths, it sounds like it's not something that you would enjoy. Even good hours, salaries, etc. aren't worth a job you don't enjoy, so take that into consideration.

RNs have the most personal contact with patients as they are responsible for all the daily aspects of medical care, giving medication, dressing wounds, etc. In the hospital, hours can be rough, but if you can get into a clinic the hours shouldn't be so bad. You would be the mediator between patient and doctor, and that could be stressful depending upon how well you get along with the doctor... but any of these would involve stress!

OT gives people a great chance to heal and strengthen. I think it is encouraging to see people gaining back function, but you have to be very patient and allow the time needed for healing.

I worked as a nurse assistant in a rehabilitation unit of a hospital for several months and got to observe a lot of the interactions between people with different degrees and positions, so that is where I'm drawing on most of the impressions I'm relaying to you. I would recommend a similar job if you can afford the time, just as a way to get your feet wet and see what goes on in the medical world. There are always people who start out as NAs and work up to LPN, RN, NP, etc, or even go back to school for an MD or DO.

Don't pick a career solely because it is in demand; pick the one you love best. Part of that will only come with experience. Even if you spend a day or two shadowing in a clinic, hospital, or somewhere, that will give you a better first-hand taste of what you like and how much you an handle than what you will get off of Yahoo answers!

Answer 4

Sound like you have a doosy on your hands but why choose one in VA we are able to get a bachelor's in medical science and depending on how far you are in college you have four years to decide which field sounds most interesting to you and it sound like you need to make a list of pros's and con's based on physical demands, interaction with patients, don't forget salary$$$$, if you want a family and how which field will allow you to do that there is so much opportunity in the medical field it is not funny and people change around all the time so if you go for a degree in medical science you have the option to choose and to change so I suggest go for a degree that allows you to do that don't corner yourself with a specific title and make that list of pros and cons and think about your future and where that is going to take you in five and ten years from now you still have so much growing and maturing past your college years trust me!!! Make the list and get the degree with options you sound like the type of person who can not handle restrictions and limits well... Go beyond your horizons you will be happier in your career in the long run!

Answer 5

These are all excellent careers...all of which have a physical demand (remember that not just lifting is of concern, but also prolonged positioning as with a dental hygenist).

I think NPs are typically very brillant, but it takes a long time to complete that course.

All should grow in demand.

However, it's like comparing apples and oranges...they are all in the healthfield, but all very different. It really depends on what your interests are.

Answer 6

NP/PA=Good money, lots of schooling, hours depend on your specialty
RN=huge responsibility, lots of stress, 'everything always falls back on the nurse', could have crappy hours, little respect
OT=not sure
Dental Hygienists= great hours and pay! I have heard so many good things about this profession.

Answer 7

How old are you? If you are still in high school, relax as you have lots of time to decide which career you want to persue. Don't sell yourself short either, if you want to be in a specific field, go for it, but if you aren't sure which you want to do, why not persue medical school and become a doctor? Sure things seem overwhelming to you now, but they certainly train you enough to be able to do your job correctly if that is what you really want to do.