2 answers
mariah
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
2
Questions
Asked
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911 operator or a pediatric or travel nurse?
I can’t pick between a nurse or a 911 operator. Both help people so they’re in the same field. Nurse pays more? Which one is would be better?
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2 answers
Samantha DeStefano
Consulting
8
Answers
Emerson, New Jersey
Updated
Samantha’s Answer
Hi Mariah,
All 3 fields are very rewarding fields so I applaud you for your interest in all of these! I don't believe any is necessarily better than another, as they all have their different features.
As a 9-1-1 dispatcher, you have to be able to respond quickly and effectively so that whatever the emergency may be, it is handled appropriately. This, to me, is a very interesting job because you never know what you're going to experience. Some days might be less active, while others you may be getting lots of calls. A dispatcher is responsible for screening calls and ensuring they are requesting the proper support to the scene, whether that be law enforcement, EMS, fire department, etc.
As a travel nurse, assignments are typically 13 weeks long. This can be both appealing and unappealing to individuals, as you are constantly living in new locations. Sometimes you can be in a location that you enjoy and find intriguing, while sometimes you could be assigned in a location that just isn't for you - and that's okay. The positive to that is that it is not permanent. As a pediatrician or pediatric nurse, you have a pretty similar experience, but you have the opportunity to heal sick children, which is incredibly rewarding. The reason nurses often get paid more than dispatchers is because there is more education required to become an RN or Doctor, than there is to become a dispatcher.
Whatever you choose to pursue as a career, I wish you the best of luck!
All 3 fields are very rewarding fields so I applaud you for your interest in all of these! I don't believe any is necessarily better than another, as they all have their different features.
As a 9-1-1 dispatcher, you have to be able to respond quickly and effectively so that whatever the emergency may be, it is handled appropriately. This, to me, is a very interesting job because you never know what you're going to experience. Some days might be less active, while others you may be getting lots of calls. A dispatcher is responsible for screening calls and ensuring they are requesting the proper support to the scene, whether that be law enforcement, EMS, fire department, etc.
As a travel nurse, assignments are typically 13 weeks long. This can be both appealing and unappealing to individuals, as you are constantly living in new locations. Sometimes you can be in a location that you enjoy and find intriguing, while sometimes you could be assigned in a location that just isn't for you - and that's okay. The positive to that is that it is not permanent. As a pediatrician or pediatric nurse, you have a pretty similar experience, but you have the opportunity to heal sick children, which is incredibly rewarding. The reason nurses often get paid more than dispatchers is because there is more education required to become an RN or Doctor, than there is to become a dispatcher.
Whatever you choose to pursue as a career, I wish you the best of luck!
Megan Jackson BSN, RN
Registered Nurse
62
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Megan’s Answer
Hi Miriah
It’s nice you are thinking about your future and have the desire to help people. Comparing the two jobs is like apples to oranges though. Some questions to ask yourself are. Do you see yourself working hands on with people? Were you planning on getting college degree? If the answer to both of those is No then the 911 operator is more of what you are looking for. The regulations vary by state but typically include mostly on the job training on how to handle emergent calls, who to dispatch, verbally giving cpr instructions over the phone ect. Without ever seeing any patients. Nursing on the other hand requires several years of school. An LVN program is typically 12-18 months full time and an Associate Degree RN is 24-36 months full time with pre-requisites you can also obtain a Bachelors degree as well as continuing your education to become a nurse practitioner or a variety of different nurse specialists by obtaining your masters or PhD. Nursing school can be stressful and requires a lot of dedication but you will never have to worry about finding a job ever again. Obviously with Nursing you mostly provide hands on patient care by doing wound care, medication administration, IV infusions ect. On average I would say nurses make double what a 911 operator makes but again it’s a lot more school and a lot more responsibilities. Good luck on whatever you decide.
It’s nice you are thinking about your future and have the desire to help people. Comparing the two jobs is like apples to oranges though. Some questions to ask yourself are. Do you see yourself working hands on with people? Were you planning on getting college degree? If the answer to both of those is No then the 911 operator is more of what you are looking for. The regulations vary by state but typically include mostly on the job training on how to handle emergent calls, who to dispatch, verbally giving cpr instructions over the phone ect. Without ever seeing any patients. Nursing on the other hand requires several years of school. An LVN program is typically 12-18 months full time and an Associate Degree RN is 24-36 months full time with pre-requisites you can also obtain a Bachelors degree as well as continuing your education to become a nurse practitioner or a variety of different nurse specialists by obtaining your masters or PhD. Nursing school can be stressful and requires a lot of dedication but you will never have to worry about finding a job ever again. Obviously with Nursing you mostly provide hands on patient care by doing wound care, medication administration, IV infusions ect. On average I would say nurses make double what a 911 operator makes but again it’s a lot more school and a lot more responsibilities. Good luck on whatever you decide.