What Should I Choose Nursing School Or Sonography School?
So, I have most of my credits for either school and I don't know which way to go. I've shadowed both careers and they were both so interesting to me. My mom, who's a nurse, said I could get through nursing school and then later get a sonography degree. She wants me to go to nursing school really badly. Any advice on what I could do?
June 22nd, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Nursing requires a very specific type of person in order for a nurse to be happy in their job and remain in the field for life. Lots of people can work in healthcare, but not everyone is made to be or can be a nurse. Or a good nurse. This is not something related to intelligence or academics, it is about that caring and compassionate “factor x”.You are caring for those most vulnerable in sometimes unpleasant situations. In simplest terms, those people who are the most happy and successful nurses are typically drawn to the profession. That’s not to say that there can’t be exceptions in either direction, but generally speaking.
Some people are more technical orientated and prefer working with data, tasks, technology etc. While nursing certainly utilizes these areas as well, there is that level of close patient interaction in clinical nursing that makes nursing unique. It is often a strong draw for those who go into nursing, as they typically enjoy this aspect. Not everyone is well suited to this work, nor does everyone enjoy it. But it can be very rewarding if you do.
Whatever you do, don’t chose a program based on what your mom wants. This is your life, your career. You need to choose what’s best for YOU.
If you can get a job working as an aide in a nursing home, this may help you decide if nursing school is or isn’t something you want to pursue further. You could also try going for your LPN first. That way you won’t spend/waste 4 years of schooling if you choose wrong. You’ll still have lots of time to go back to sonography.
Lastly, if you are a very strong student, you could consider taking a joint program specially designed in which you will graduate with some sort of combined program (I.e. RN with sonography certificate or diploma) after a longer period of time. While I personally have never heard of this, some schools may allow you to custom design a program to do this. You never know unless you try.
Good luck!
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:18 pm
I say it would be good to get your feet wet and get into the health career ares as a CNA or LPN. Like the others said, it lets you have a chance to see if nursing is really what fits you. These can definitely make further studies in nursing for RN or Sonographer much easier.
Research each career well. Talk to schools. Get a lot of info about each job and each study program. Sonography can have a shorter study period for example, but it’s harder to find schools that offer. For example I found only one school in my metro area that offers when I was looking in health care careers.
Look at your career goals, income goals, etc. Weigh the positives and negatives of each career. You could even offer to volunteer at a hositpal to get a better feel of the atmosphere and what nurses.
I’m including a forum link I found very helpful when looking into nursing and sonography.
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:13 am
I am a registered nurse right now, and I have been for six years. I have worked in med/surg,telemetry,home health,hospice,and long term care. I haven’t found my true specialty in nursing yet. However, I enjoy sonography too. You should go to nursing school if you have want to. Nursing is a good career choice. I allowed my parents to influence my decision on nursing school, and even though I have a good career in nursing, I don’t really like nursing. I recently have applied to a local technical college for their sonography program. Healthcare careers provide job stability and pay well. I wish you the best!
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:14 am
Do whatever you want, but there is potential to do 101 different fields in nursing when you get bored. The pay is great, the overtime pay is great, everything is great. You just need to have brains and not be stupid like some registered nurses are. Nursing school is hard work though.
June 23rd, 2009 at 3:38 am
Get your CNA and work- if you love it go for nursing, if you hate it go for sonogprahy. I see no point in doing both unless you really love both and get bored with nursing (hard to imagine) because they are so different.
June 23rd, 2009 at 9:06 am
Nurse makes double money than sonographer.
But Nurse needs to do a lot with patients and very intense work, sometimes very dirty. If you hate that, then go for sonography
June 30th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
I think that you should get your nursing degree and then go back to sonography later if you have time and want to.