I need help in deciding if I should be a registered nurse or a massage therapist?
347972
Massage therapist is less stressful but it is harder to make a living. There are a lot of them trying to find work. An RN does not have to work in a hospital, which is the most stressful place. Clinics, case management, dispensing meds in a nursing home, there are a lot of different jobs for RNs and it is a shortage occupation.
205384
It really depends on what you would enjoy. \n\nYou dont want to be @ a job wishing you would've went the other way.\n\nI would choose either RN or PA. But I like medical..and its NEVER boring.\n\nGood Luck and hope everything goes good for you.
767733
Hi,.... If you are talking about a traditional Swedish Massage,...  there is a therapuetic routine that is taught when you are in school. That routine is designed to help to most efficiently flush the Lymphatic system and venous blood flow in the body. \n\nThat is a routine that you need to learn in order to graduate from school,... but it is not a requirement of giving a good massage. ... In my opinion,.. if you are able to "Be Present" in your hands,.... and you have learned good technique for handling the body you are working on, and how to move your own body in a most efficient manner while giving a massage,.... you should be fine.  ............ Of course, these are the things that you are in school to learn,.. and that just takes time and practice.\n\n.... In my opinion,. the thing that makes the difference between a really good massage and a mediocre one,.. is how much "presence",.. the therapist has in his or her hands. ... A good therapists hands are their eyes. .......... In fact,.. in Japan,.. the best shiatsu practitioners are blind. ... They "feel" their work,.. rather than see it or think about how to do it.  ........... When you have learned the fundamental skills of the trade and you have become more familiar with the body,.... eventually your skill as a massage therapist will become much more of an "intuitive" and feeling one,.. rather than a clinical one,... In my opinion,.. this is the thing that makes the difference between a really "good massage",.. and a mediocre one.\n\nYou are very much a beginner,... give it time. ... You very possibly will not really begin to feel solidly confident with your work until some months after you have finished school and have been working in the profession for a whiile. ... but this is how it  is with most professions.\n\nIt is also a very very good idea to recieve some massage sessions from some really good and experienced therapists. Your body will learn alot from "feeling" what a good massage feels like. This will help you to translate that into the massage you give to others. .......... You should be able to find at least a couple of really good therapists amongst the teachers in your school,.. and you should be able to purchase a few sessions from them. ... They may even likely give you a discount on the cost.
104917
If you have already finished the course or are about to finish it, then you have done well.  I understand it is one of the most difficult certificate programs to complete!  Congratulations!\n\nThere is a big market for massage therapists, although they are getting to be more prevalent than they once were.  You may want to have connections with a clinic or hospital, in so much as it would be nice to have a referral from them to help you as you build your business.  You may want to offer free massages to counselors and others who might want to offer referrals to their clients.\n\nI wish you well.
168201
I know a few people that are licensed but couldnt build up a clientele so now they work other jobs and only their spouses benefit from the degree. \n\nIt is a word of mouth business and most people that get massages on a regular basis stick to the same person and dont want to switch. \n\nUnless you can secure a job at a salon and they can garauntee you a good number of jobs i would look at another carrer.
829015
I'm not sure where you are in the world, so I can only go based upon my knowledge of laws pertaining to where I live.  Here in my part of the USA, 640 hours of training, plus graduation from a nationally accredited school, plus successful completion of the NMTA Board examination, are necessary before legally performing any type of massage therapy for compensation.  The laws may vary where you are, so I would encourage you to search for licensing information in your state/principality/country/etc.
314502
Nursing School helps!  I recommend that you go for a Bachelor's Degree at an accredited Nursing School at a University, rather than a community college.  More and more hospitals are preferring a BSN to an ADN.  Plus, with a BSN you have SO many more choices!  You can do Public Health, any hospital nursing, get into management, and become a travel nurse.  You should research with you local colleges and universities, or whichever ones are nearby, to find a nursing program that will work for your schedule, budget (though I recommend financial aid or loans), and career opportunity aspirations.\nNursing school is tough, but so fun and rewarding.  So is being a nurse!
446200
well, it's up to you. what field are you more interested in? people more likely suceed when they love what they do.\n\nbut when you graduate, i think you'll get a job faster in nursing..
1098627
I have seen ads in my local paper for hospitals willing to pay tuition.  Nursing is a critical shortage in almost every state.  Do some research and see if you have a local hospital that is willing to pay for your education in exchange for your loyalty when you graduate.
1077353
Certified Medical Assistant,,,,just helps\nLicensed Practical nurse .....it is an associates degree and can far more than the CMA\nRegistered Nurse ....is a four year degree and more to do and makes more money
1160726
hey girl -  yay for nurses! em, i would research the medical schools you would like to attend and see what they require. see, since you are getting an RN, some of your classes may be applied to your medical education. So yeah, do your research and you will have a better idea of what you need to do to prepare. dont box yourself in! you are unique and your program should suit your needs and aspirations. go girl!
1069474
Any reputable college has introductory courses that potential students must take before they are admitted to the full time 2 year certified program.  These programs are usually the duration of 1weekend and it may be a good idea for you to take this.   You will be taught how to give a therapeutic mini-massage that may be adequate.  Another suggestion would be to book yourself in at the clinic at the college and get a couple of massages yourself.  If you have never gotten a therapeutic massage then it is very difficult to give one.  The rates in the clinic are about half the cost of a massage by a certified therapist and they are given by the students enrolled in the 2 year program.  Good Luck.
1164058
From your moniker, I'm guessing that you are premed and getting a little worried about the options.  Assuming you've had the basic coursework, A&P, biology, chemisty, biochemistry, etc, you can get into either one.  Nursing is definitely easier to get into than medical school.  You can be out and earning money in about 2 years, though it you decide to wander on into being a practicioner, a nurse first assistant (to a surgeon), or another specialty, then you are going to earn a bit more (ok, sometimes a huge bit more).  \n\nIf you decide to be a doctor and are lucky enough to get in, then you'll take about 3 years to go through school, then you have residency, and probably a little extra training.  Oh, yes.  and tuition bills out the wazoo.  \n\nDoctors tend to earn more, but have less stress than nurses.  They have a different level of responsibility.   \n\nNurses have to go under the guidance of a doctor.  A nurse practitioner can write a prescription, but the doctor has to review it or sign off on it.  Nurses need to work to orders.  Doctors write the orders.\n\nDoctors are one of two medical positions which are permitted to prescribe drugs without getting authorization.  Nurses are not.\n\nFollow your heart, and your luck.  Some people in nursing absolutely love it.  Others hate it or grow to hate it.  .  Some doctors love what they do, others don't.
858216
Go to massage school!  I have listed a site below that is easy to use and you can contact the schools - and learn more about their programs!\n\nThis is how I found the school I went to :)\n\nFYI - Masseuse(Feminine)/Masseur(Masculine) indicates that you work in a massage parlor - where sexual favors are provided.  It is an antiquated term - to day it is simply a massage therapist or a bodyworker or even a somatherapist.\n\nMassage Therapists do not work on a salary - it is a per client session rate.  I make $120 per hour treatment. I treat 15 - 20 clients a week. I average is $80 a treatment, but I offer a very specialized modality, meaning it is in higher demand so it costs more. Honestly you won't get rich doing what we do.  You will make good money - and you will enjoy what you do - but if you are an MT for money - you are in it for the wrong reasons.\n\nIn California you need a min. of 500 hours education.  In southern California there are Holistic Health Practitioner Courses that are 1000 hours - they expand your scope of practice and allow you to do and treat things that MTs can not.\n\nSince you are in California I recommend Mueller College of Holistic Studies (link below), as their program is the most balanced and most stable (been around for 30 years).  IT is also the only COMTA accredited school in California - what that means is that your education meets super high standards that most other schools don't bother with.\n\nIf you are interested in Traditional Chinese Medical Massage - you might want to look at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (link below), although they are an acupuncture school they do offer a 1000 hour program dedicated to Tuina.\n\nFor right now - you should read anatomy, biology, keniseology, and pathology books - become very good at it.  You need to know what muscles you are working, where they originate and attach, what can go wrong and why.  \n\nMost importantly best of luck to you!
688490
You could be one of the following:\n\n1. A psych nurse, working with the mentally ill\n\n2. A school nurse, looking after the health of school students, which often includes a good deal of counselling\n\n3. Work as a nurse in an impoverished thrid world country where you will use every skill in the book\n\nOf course you can choose one or the other. Once you finish nursing do postgraduate work in psychology and go into practice as a counsellor or psychologist.\n\nmany exciting choices
465899
well find the school in your area that has a nursing program.  GO in and tell them your interested in attending but don't know what you need to do.  They will tell you everything you need to know and even help you with getting the loans you need, unless they are jerks, then find another school.  Ask them every question you have, they do this as there job.\n\ngood luck, its a good choice I always see places looking for nurisng help!
446593
Nursing is an excellent career choice if you have the ability to block out negative energy.  I nursed for 4 years and had absolutley no problem at first, but once i started seeing so much pain and suffering day in and day out, i could no longer separate my job from my life and found myself sinking into a depression thinking about all the people that I had seen suffer and die.  Unfortunately I could not get the good to outway the negative anymore and was forced for my own sanity to quit doing what I loved.