Question for Nurses and other Medical workers?

I'm thinking about changing my career and going into the medical field since there doesn't ever seem to be a shortage of jobs and it has good pay. First off, I don't like needles much. So, I don't want to be giving shots on a routine basis. I was considering Physical Therapy Assistant or Massage Therapist, or maybe even LPN. Any advise?? Do you like your job?? How's the pay??

I don't want to give shots. I can handle blood (even my own) and gross stuff. The human body (inside and out) is intriguing. And I don't want a desk job.

For you, PT Assistant sounds like the best option you've presented.

Have you considered Radiology Tech? They can basically write their own ticket and make really good money, either as a full-time or per diem employee.

If you have a thing about needles, don't consider becoming a practicing LPN because they're the ones giving the routine injections for most medical practices.

Medical billing and coding are desk jobs, and over the next 5-7 years, these positions will be phased out or drastically cut back as physicians move to electronic records and billing.

I love my job, but I'm an administrator, which is the queen of all desk jobs--even though I don't spend a lot of time at my desk because I'm out in the center. There's a ton of paperwork, though.

Good luck!

There are many other options for the medical field to chose from that won't involve needles. Xray technican, respiratory therapy, physical therapy and even billing and medical coding which is an essential part of billing.
All medical fields will always need people due to the natural aging of the country. People are living longer and medicine has advanced to a point that you can specialize in many areas.
I would not recommend a massage therapist as they aren't usually utilized by a hospital and it's not a necessary therapy.
Out of the ones that you listed, I would recommend the physical therapist. They make good money, have good work hours, usually holidays off, needed everywhere, and have the joy of watching their patients make drastic changes to the good in their lives.

Maybe medical imaging(xray,mammography,ultrasound,MRI,... there's a few more). I am a night shift x-ray tech. been doing this for almost 30 years. LOL, after that amount of time it's a bit hard to be enthusiastic but it's ok. Just got a raise to 31/hr as a base rate.That's not counting shift differential or pay rate while doing CAT scans and such. In some places you might have to do injections but their few and far between and non-existant on my shift. Lots of jobs out there.

If needles are a big concern you might want to rethink becoming an LPN (licenced practicing nurse) because they have to give shots. Also giving a shot is very different from recieving a shot. My sister is an RN who is very scared of her own blood (fainting, etc) but she is fine with giving shots and putting in IVs.

If you are considering working in a hospital I would suggest volunteering first or taking a course at a local community college (Nursing Assistant or EMT) to get a taste of what it might be like.

My sister and I both love being RNs and the pay is pretty good starting ($25), but it is a job you have to love. Hope this helps and good luck!

Well theres a couple things here. If you dont like needles then this is the wrong field. They are everywhere. Now, if you can atleast get over bien around em then you have a couple options. What im doing is i got my EMT-Basic cert. now im working on my prereq's so i can go to class for my RN. since there is a year and a half waiting period im going to get my EMT-Paramedic durring that time. my ultimate goal is to work an air bus(helicopter). You need to know tho that in order for you to get there on any rout there is ALOT of schooling. I personally would recomend that you take and EMT-B class since is only 1 semester and it will give you an insite into the field as well as a step up when you apply to the nursing programs. Now to me massage therepist isnt really in the medical field but depending on where you are it pays ABOUT 18pr/hr. A RN can make 25+pr/hr depending on where you go. As far as the Physical Therpy goes, i dont know how well it pays but i do know that its kinda hard to get a job doin that.

Keep in mind that the majority of medical fields will involve a strong stomach. Unless you choose an office position you will encounter people that have been horribly disfigured,burned, and have all types of medical disorders and diseases. The really good nurses are the ones that chose the profession out of a sense of compassion,and not the money. Go to your local college and see what kind of programs they offer, Now might be the time to pursue your dream.

You may want to consider Dental Hygiene, I live in Florida and a freshly out of school hygienist starts any from $25-$28 an hour. My sister is an doctor and while she does love what she does, she has said from time to time that if she had it all over to do again she would be a dentist because the hours are much better.Most dental hygienist work only four days a week because most dental offices are only open Monday thru Thursday, in some states hygienists can give shots but not all (I wouldn't want to do that either) and in Florida we do not give shots. Yes, I like my job and I especially love the three day weekends, I get good benefits and a lot of paid time off.

get CNA or nurses aide first as it is very short course, then pursue LPN or RN as they are very well paid and been in high demand nation wide for a long time....as a CNA you can get a job pretty easily and your employer will be very flexible while you go to school for LPN or RN as they will hope to retain you once you become a nurse......also many places pay hiring incentive for cna and nurses....downside is the shortage of schools has caused in many instances a waiting list to get into nursing course.....for wage info try http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcst.... it will give you wage info by state and career

If you cant handle blood than anything having to do with physical therapy is out. Physical therapists (and PTAs) preform woundcare. Meaning if someone has an infected cut on their foot and it has been festering for weeks, it will be a physical therapist that is cleaning the wound out and changing the dressings on a daily basis. Its bloody and smells kinda bad and sounds like something you would not be interested in.

As for the pay, check out salary.com You can look up the average salary for almost any job in any zip code in the US. Good luck to you.