Are you trying to decide what to study or what career to pursue?
Are you debating whether to become a Nurse or a Dental Hygienist?
Choosing which one to study can be a difficult and daunting task.
As a result, this is why I’ve written this article.
Nurse Vs Dental Hygienists, Which Career Is Better?
Nursing is better than Dental Hygiene as it offers more career choices, is higher in demand, and pays higher wages.
In both professions, you may make a real difference in people’s lives while still earning a fair income and doing interesting work.
This question’s solution can be found in a person’s interests in one or both of the fields.
Both professions have the potential to lead to a rewarding career; nevertheless, your ability to adapt to the domain you pick is important.
Understanding the differences between the two disciplines is perhaps the most efficient approach to discovering and following your passions.
You may then pick the best choices for yourself, taking into account employment prospects, income, and, most importantly, your interests.
Now that we’ve answered the main question, let’s look at what it takes to be a Nurse vs Dental Hygienist
Dental hygienists enter the field with the understanding that they are making a difference by promoting excellent health and boosting oral health awareness and education. You’ll get the opportunity to encounter a diverse range of new patients.
Some of the difficulties include conducting physically demanding work (such as bending over patients’ mouths for long periods) and working without an assistant to aid you with more complex aspects of the job like dentists do.
Depending on the features of your patient group, dental therapists’ jobs may also be repetitious.
Although there are possibilities for advancement, the basic responsibilities of a dental hygienist stay the same throughout your career.
Typically, a Dental Hygienist’s tasks revolve around cleaning a patient’s teeth.
A Dentist’s responsibilities are a little broader, encompassing everything from diagnosing oral health concerns to developing treatment plans and executing treatments.
Dental Hygienists will work under the supervision and guidance of a dentist. This does not have to be in private dental practice; it might be at a community health center, regional institution, school, or elderly care facility.
An associate degree in dental hygiene is usually required for dental hygienists. The average length of time it takes to complete a degree is three years.
Dental hygienists must be licensed in all states; however, the criteria differ by state.
A bachelor’s or master’s degree usually is required for research, teaching, or clinical practice in public or school health programs.
So, let’s talk about Nursing
Nursing requires a serious commitment, so if you are compassionate and have the desire to serve the weak and sick, this is the career route for you.
Furthermore, you must be willing to work long hours under stressful situations and prioritize the needs of your patients before your own.
Nurses with advanced degrees are in high demand around the world, and they can find work in both the commercial and public sectors fast.
To start your career as a Nurse you start to become a Registered Nurse usually takes one of three education paths: a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an associate degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Registered nurses must be licensed.
Many people believe that nursing entails providing care to patients.
It is, however, much more than that.
Nurses are increasingly taking on leadership responsibilities in healthcare settings, and they are capable of diagnosing, treating, and managing patients without the assistance of supervisors.
To work as a nurse, you will need to learn about and interact with every bodily system.
t may be terrifying to have to make split-second decisions in a crisis while waiting for the doctor or “code team” to come, and depending on what field you work in, this happens very frequently.
Furthermore, advanced education allows you to specialize in a certain field.
Specialty fields such as Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners
Becoming a Registered Nurse usually takes one of three education paths: a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an associate degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Registered nurses must be licensed.
Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners must earn at least a master’s degree in one of the APRN roles. They must also be licensed in their state and pass a national certification exam.
What do Nurses do every day?
Nurse practitioners coordinate patient care and may provide primary and specialty healthcare.
Nurse practitioners typically do the following:
- Take and record patients’ medical histories and symptoms
- Perform physical exams and observe patients
- Create patient care plans or contribute to existing plans
- Perform and order diagnostic tests
- Operate and monitor medical equipment
- Diagnose various health problems
- Analyze test results or changes in a patient’s condition and alter treatment plans, as needed
- Give patients medicines and treatments
- Evaluate a patient’s response to medicines and treatments
- Consult with doctors and other healthcare professionals, as needed
- Counsel and teach patients and their families how to stay healthy or manage their illnesses or injuries
What do Dental hygienists do every day?
Dental hygienists examine patients for signs of oral diseases, such as gingivitis, and provide preventive care, including oral hygiene.
Dental hygienists typically do the following:
- Remove tartar, stains, and plaque from teeth
- Apply sealants and fluorides to help protect teeth
- Take and develop dental x rays
- Assess patients’ oral health and report findings to dentists
- Document patient care and treatment plans
- Educate patients about oral hygiene techniques, such as how to brush and floss correctly
Nurse or Dental Hygienist, who earns more? (Explained)
Nurses Practitioners earn more than Dental Hygienists, with the median wage of a Nurse Practitioner at $117,670 compared to Dental Hygienists was $77,090 in May 2020
However, wages will vary on the number of years of experience, geographical location, etc.
| Job Role | Median Wage / Per Annum |
| Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Anesthetists, Midwives | $117,670 |
| Registered Nurse | $75,330 |
| Dental Hygienists | $77,090 |
According to US Labor Bureau and Statistics, the median annual wage for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners was $117,670 per year in 2020.
The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount, and half earned less.
The lowest 10 percent earned less than $82,460, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $184,180.
Median annual wages for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners in May 2019 were as follows:
| Nurse anaesthetists | $183,580 |
| Nurse practitioners | $111,680 |
| Nurse-midwives | $111,130 |
In May 2020, the median annual wages for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | $124,660 |
| Outpatient care centres | $122,840 |
| Offices of physicians | $114,570 |
| Offices of other health practitioners | $111,610 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | $111,400 |
Source; Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
Finding a job won’t be an able problem with the employment of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners are projected to grow 45 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Demand for Registered Nurses is expected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Whilst employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 11 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.
Final Thoughts
You can make a meaningful impact in people’s lives in both professions while making a decent wage and performing exciting work. Nursing is preferable to Dental Hygiene because it provides more career options, is in higher demand, and pays better.
It is important to choose what to study.
Speak with trustworthy friends and family members and think about obtaining professional help.
Before choosing a career path to study, consider your talents and limits, as well as your likes and dislikes.
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References
- Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
- Dental Hygienists: Occupational Outlook Handbook:: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
- Registered Nurses: Occupational Outlook Handbook:: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
