4 answers
mariah
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
2
Questions
Updated
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What should i choose? Travel nurse, pediatric nurse, or a 911 operator?
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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4 answers
Tiberius Skywalker
Licensed Practical Nurse
4
Answers
Bellevue, Washington
Updated
Tiberius’s Answer
This might be a good resource for you: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/occupation-finder.htm?pay=&education=Bachelor%26rsquo%3Bs+degree&training=&newjobs=&growth=Faster+than+average&submit=GO
US Bureau of Labor & Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: shows you which education is required, what income looks like, where training might come from, shop for the highest/fastest projected career growth, and even the number of jobs available.
bls.gov/ooh
US Bureau of Labor & Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: shows you which education is required, what income looks like, where training might come from, shop for the highest/fastest projected career growth, and even the number of jobs available.
bls.gov/ooh
Kathryn Lochmann
Nurse Practitioner - Oncology and Aesthetic
1
Answer
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Updated
Kathryn’s Answer
I would suggest you shadow a nurse and a 911 operator if possible to see what is something you would like to do! Usually you need to have at least 1 year of experience before going into travel nursing. Hope this helps!
Tiberius Skywalker
Licensed Practical Nurse
4
Answers
Bellevue, Washington
Updated
Tiberius’s Answer
Hello Mariah,
That is a very interesting question. For that reason, I would certainly consider the reasons behind those interests of yours. What do you imagine the duties/responsibilities/benefits will be? I can know that 911 operators and nurses are vastly different! I have trained in 911 dispatch years ago, and felt that I could not be happy with the lack of follow-up after a phone call. I also am not a huge fan of the police system at the moment- so I'll leave that there for you to read into. I considered 911 dispatch because I can 'multitask', wanted to help people, have experienced trauma and can react in a panic to help fix a situation, I was a night-owl so overnight shifts were fine with me, and there must have been other reasons that I've forgotten. I considered becoming a nurse for many of the same reasons, however in nursing I found that I can pick from a wide range of specialties/ workplaces/ patients/ environments/ schedules, and have the follow-up of knowing the impact you've made on that life (and generally knowing if their tragic situation was handled). The turnover rate for both is relatively high now, but 911 operator turnover is notorious for being high-stress enough that it has a higher rate (take this with a grain, because I am not a 911 operator- I went with nursing instead, after completing dispatcher training). Could you consider shadowing a shift of each? See what you think!
That is a very interesting question. For that reason, I would certainly consider the reasons behind those interests of yours. What do you imagine the duties/responsibilities/benefits will be? I can know that 911 operators and nurses are vastly different! I have trained in 911 dispatch years ago, and felt that I could not be happy with the lack of follow-up after a phone call. I also am not a huge fan of the police system at the moment- so I'll leave that there for you to read into. I considered 911 dispatch because I can 'multitask', wanted to help people, have experienced trauma and can react in a panic to help fix a situation, I was a night-owl so overnight shifts were fine with me, and there must have been other reasons that I've forgotten. I considered becoming a nurse for many of the same reasons, however in nursing I found that I can pick from a wide range of specialties/ workplaces/ patients/ environments/ schedules, and have the follow-up of knowing the impact you've made on that life (and generally knowing if their tragic situation was handled). The turnover rate for both is relatively high now, but 911 operator turnover is notorious for being high-stress enough that it has a higher rate (take this with a grain, because I am not a 911 operator- I went with nursing instead, after completing dispatcher training). Could you consider shadowing a shift of each? See what you think!
Theresa Khan MSN, FNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner
3
Answers
Nashville, Tennessee
Updated
Theresa’s Answer
Both are great careers. Both do help people in different ways. As the others said, I also think it would be an excellent idea to shadow different nursing areas and a 911 operator. A floor nurse, does different work than an OR nurse, who is just as different than a clinic nurse. I personally went into nursing knowing that as a registered nurse, I have many different nursing environments/ career paths that I can change to if ever I feel that specific area was not for me. Even now, as a family nurse practitioner, I am able to work in many specialties. A 911 operator, answers calls and as also stated by someone else, does not really get to see followup once the call ends. As a nurse, I get to help patients improve their health and be their cheerleader for improvement or shoulder to lean on when things are rough.
Try and shadow both 911 operators and a few nurses if you can. Either way, I am sure that once you start your career, you will make the path that you want come true. Don't worry about possibly making a wrong choice. Every decision in life teaches you something and leads you to your future goal.
Try and shadow both 911 operators and a few nurses if you can. Either way, I am sure that once you start your career, you will make the path that you want come true. Don't worry about possibly making a wrong choice. Every decision in life teaches you something and leads you to your future goal.