Nursing or accountanting?

I know one should not choose a career based on salary but im just curiouse to know: who makes a better salary a nurse or an accountant ; and which career is more competitive to get a job.

The answer to your question is not so simple. There are different levels of accounting (acct 1, acct 2, sr. acct, etc.), as well as accounting in different industries, such as natural gas. As well, there are different types of nursing positions. You can try salary.com for specifics in your area, but I can tell you from experience (wife is an acct for a energy company), that higher level accountants make more money, and likely put up with less hassle than nurses. I'm not putting down nurses, in fact I used to be one, but the fact is that it is possible to make more as an acountant for the right company than even a NP, which is a masters program.

Bottom line, though, is whatever you do, if your not happy with it, you will be miserable despite the money. Good luck, and I would recommend volunteering in both professions before making a decision.

Edit: I think Alice above means that nursing is LESS competitive in the workforce since so many positions are available. Getting into nursing school, however, is very competitive (somewhat difficult without good grades)

Well, nursing is WAY more competitive to get a job in! There is such a shortage of nurses all around the country that hospitals will just about take anyone with a degree. As far as which pays better, that probably depends on where you live.

Both have one thing going for them: Their demand is everywhere there are people. So, you can likely live and work anywhere you want with either profession. Assuming a bachelor's degree in either they both start off in salary pretty close to each other, give or take. The exception would be a degree in accounting from a prestige school. However, the accounting degree has considerably more upside potential. If you join an accounting firm you can become a CPA and have the chance to eventually become a partner in the firm. Top CPA firm partners have incomes exceeding $250,000. The highest paid nurses likely don't reach a third of this.

If you've done well in school you won't have trouble getting a job with either degree.

As a nurse, you'd be able to write your own ticket. Nurses are notoriously hard to find, at least in NYC. And you'd be able to supplement your regular income with per diem work when you need extra cash.

Good luck!