Hello
I am 28 and currently completing a Science (Biology and Chemistry) Access course with the intent of retraining as a Healthcare Professional. I would love to hear from any current dietitian’s and nurses.
I have been considering retraining for about four years now (use to work in fashion as a designer, quit and decides to retrain because there are no jobs in retail and I hated it- industry is full of evil and profits from others misery). I nearly pursued a nursing degree when I was 18 but my family encouraged me to pursue fashion because I was good at art. They were well intentioned at the time but in hindsight something healthcare related would have been better. I kept thinking what if I had pursued the nursing career throughout the whole 4 years my previous career. So I think deep down the motivation to pursue something where I can provide care and improve the lives of others has always been there.
My dilemma is should I retrain in nursing or dietetics. Out of all the healthcare roles these professions appeal to me the most. There are pros and cons to both.
Nursing (Adult)
Pros:
-Lots of jobs in the NHS
-could probably find work very locally and not have a big commute.
-lots of variety and different areas to work in from elderly care to GP surgery to intensive care etc.
-Since I’m interested in dietetics I have heard it’s possible to work as a dietitian nurse.
-I would like to have a family and my mum (who is a nurse) tells me there are more part time roles in nursing than some of the other roles.
Cons:
-Underfunding/Understaffing issues-lots of nurses suffering from burnout as a result.
-I would not describe myself as squeamish I can deal with the sight of wounds, burns, etc. Needles don’t bother me. The only thing that initially I may struggle with is taking blood for x2 reasons. I would be scared of getting it wrong. Then the sight of blood going through the tube does make me a bit light headed. I’ve spoken to nurses before who have said it is definitely possibly to overcome these thoughts. Especially if it is more of a discomfort than fear!
Dietitian
Pros:
-fascinated by nutrition
-would enjoy the academic challenge of the degree (it is quite scientist)
-opportunity to offer care and improve people’s lives.
-possibly more community based working options which may mean more sociable hours if I have a family.
Cons:
-I’m not sure what the job market is like for newly qualified dietitians. I have heard that hospitals don’t require big teams of them therefore I may struggle to find a band 5 post after qualifying.
-if the government make cuts will dietetics be affected more than say nursing?
-less jobs means increased likelihood of a big commute.
-I have heard from a few sources that dietetics is not necessarily respected/taken seriously in the NHS.
It’s worth mentioning I have just bought a house in Leeds with my OH so the practical factors such as job market post qualifying, commute and something that will fit around me possibly having a baby in the next six years are quite important.
It’s worth mentioning I have sadly not been able to obtain any shadowing experience (which would have been ideal) and it’s not looking like it will be possible any time soon.
Appreciate any opinions
Thank you 