Pathology Vs Nursing

Two careers that interest me are speech language pathology and nursing. Although I pretty well have my heart set on speech language pathology, I know that it is important to have a parallel plan. Both of these careers would allow me to fulfill my dream of impacting the lives of others by working in the healthcare field. Both of these degrees will challenge me to be the best version of myself possible. Whether I went into SLP or nursing, I would make great money with a versatile degree and diverse clientele. The job market for both of these degrees is also promising. I could also benefit myself and my family by working for an employer who provides health insurance and 401k benefits.
There are pros and cons with each of these career pathways.

Speech language pathology is the career I have dreamed of since I was a senior in high school. Before deciding upon working to become an SLP, I considered becoming a physician’s assistant, occupational therapist assistant, and a nurse. All along I knew the main thing I wanted was to help others and work in the health care field. Later on, I had a defining moment during my senior year. I was contemplating my future and wasn’t having the best day. I walked into the hall and a student at my school with Down syndrome, Tyson, whipped around and pointed at me and said “hey baby girl!” That was it. That was my moment. From that moment on, I knew that my career had to be something to do with special needs children. The innocence and beauty of these children is just beyond what words can explain. I decided on SLP instead of special education teacher because I didn’t want to be so tied to the school system. The more time I spend in my classes here, I realize I love other facets of speech therapy as well. I absolutely loved observing a session last week in which a graduate student worked with a man with aphasia.
The pros of being an SLP outweigh the cons easily.

The only cons I can think of for SLP are the length of time required to get the degree and the student loan debt. At the end of the day, nothing worth having is easy to get. I am not afraid of hard work and money isn’t everything. It wouldn’t make sense to pick something I am not at all passionate about just to avoid being in debt. Big risks yield big accomplishments. SLP will allow me to spend more time around special needs individuals than nursing will. SLPs also don’t have crazy shift times. Bottom line is, SLP is my dream. If I don’t get into graduate school, I will most likely go into nursing. A phenomenal pro of being an SLP is the fact that I could travel with a company after college, then settle down and work in an outpatient facility. I would also have the option of working in the school system if I had kids in order to have more time with them during the week and the summer. I could also always do PRN to make more money if I make less in the school system. PRN is also an option with nursing though. SLP would allow me to spend more time with special needs children than nursing

would.
The cons for nursing are fundamental.

In all honesty, nursing is a great career but it isn’t my first choice. It isn’t what I truly want at the end of the day. Although if I didn’t get into graduate school, nursing is a great option for me. I am partially working towards my parallel plan now since I am taking and have taken some classes that are a part of the RN program core at VHCC. A lot of my electives are also pertinent to nursing. If I had to implement my parallel plan, I would do so by moving back home with my mom in Abingdon. I would apply to the two year nursing program at Virginia Highlands Community College, and work while going through the program. Pros with choosing nursing short term include not spending money to live in a dorm, living close to my job of two years, and being closer to my family. The most pertinent pro with choosing nursing include having less college debt, since the program is only two years. I could pay my own way through the two year nursing program out of my pocket. That was tempting. When going through loan counseling, I got cold feet and considered doing nursing. I decided against it though because I don’t want to have regrets about not trying to chase my dream career. Cons with nursing include crazy shift hours, less authority in the workplace, and lower wages. A lot of nurses work in hospitals and I don’t particularly want to work in a hospital. If I were to go into nursing, home health would probably be my preference. Some of the classes

from my associate’s degree will satisfy my prerequisites for nursing.
If I ended up graduating from college with my master’s degree in speech language pathology, I would be inexplicably happy. I would be so proud of myself and my accomplishments. First off, I would invite all of my family to my graduation. After completing my clinical fellowship year, I would like to travel with a company. This career gives me the opportunity to do that, and I think it’d be a shame to not take advantage of it. After seeing more of the United States while traveling with my degree, I would settle down in a nice rural area that’s not too far from the interstate. After finding a place to live, I would find work in an outpatient facility for a while. When and if I have children, I would try and work in the school system when they are younger. I want to try to use my degree in many different ways, and working in a school system could be very beneficial to myself and my family. I could be closer to my children, be off at the same time as they are in the evenings, and have summers off with them. Also during the summer I could do PRN work if I wanted some extra money for vacations or other splurges. I know I wouldn’t get tired of my job because of the versatility it offers. I can also always do continuing education units and possibly become an administrator if I so desired. Twenty years after receiving my degree, I see myself helping the community, making an impact on other’s lives, and raising awareness for special needs individuals.