Best Certifications or 2-Year Degrees (employed, reputation, job, salary)

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Usually someone chooses the CNA route because the goal is to become an RN. Many RN programs are impacted and you will need to get into the program. Most programs have a point system to get into. The more points that you have the quicker you get thru the waiting list. Working in patient care in a hospital gives you points.

On top of that many RN programs want you to have your CNA before you can start the program.

The road to Nursing is not just a quick 2 year's of schooling. Many hospitals are requiring a BSN. Here at our hospital they are encouraging current RN's to go after their BSN or MSN. Then again the hospital helps pay for the cost of the degree. Newer RN's are finding it easier to get a job with the BSN.

[Arcenal813]

Originally Posted by SOON2BNSURPRISE

Usually someone chooses the CNA route because the goal is to become an RN. Many RN programs are impacted and you will need to get into the program. Most programs have a point system to get into. The more points that you have the quicker you get thru the waiting list. Working in patient care in a hospital gives you points.

On top of that many RN programs want you to have your CNA before you can start the program.

The road to Nursing is not just a quick 2 year's of schooling. Many hospitals are requiring a BSN. Here at our hospital they are encouraging current RN's to go after their BSN or MSN. Then again the hospital helps pay for the cost of the degree. Newer RN's are finding it easier to get a job with the BSN.

This may just be this area, but I know of MANY people who went ONLY for the Associate's in Nursing and had no problems finding work as RNs.

[Jardine8]

Originally Posted by SOON2BNSURPRISE

Usually someone chooses the CNA route because the goal is to become an RN. Many RN programs are impacted and you will need to get into the program. Most programs have a point system to get into. The more points that you have the quicker you get thru the waiting list. Working in patient care in a hospital gives you points.

On top of that many RN programs want you to have your CNA before you can start the program.

The road to Nursing is not just a quick 2 year's of schooling. Many hospitals are requiring a BSN. Here at our hospital they are encouraging current RN's to go after their BSN or MSN. Then again the hospital helps pay for the cost of the degree. Newer RN's are finding it easier to get a job with the BSN.

I was going to mention getting the 2 year nursing degree to become an RN. Both of my sisters (who are in their 30s) are RNs and they both make an above average salary for Mississippi (60k to 70k per year). That is pretty good pay for a 2 year investment. One of them is in a position to get promoted to a nursing home administrator in our local area, a position which could pay her in the neighborhood of 90k per year. Again, pretty good pay for a 2 year degree. Never mind that they can find jobs in most any decent-sized town or city in our area. Of course, this is in Mississippi and it is quite possible that more affluent areas of the country have more competition and candidates there might need a Bachelor's degree in Nursing to get a leg up.

[PatanjaliTwist]

Originally Posted by skinnayyy

One year out of cosmetology school and my fiance is making roughly 60-70k a year at the lowest position. This is only going to go up from there.

Good for him, but I'd love to know where your fiance works! Did he have an established friend, who owned a high end shop & immediately began working there upon graduation, with a ready made clientele & inexpensive booth rental? That is an extraordinary & very unusual salary for the average hairdresser, let alone 1-yr out of school. According to the labor board, the average hairdresser makes in the $25-30K range. I used it as a stepping stone to other things. Living in large cities, I could barely afford to feed myself when I worked as a hairstylist/makeup artist. How did he get a job with that much earning potential straight away?

[PatanjaliTwist]

To the OP, my niece became a vet tech in 2-yrs at community college & her 1st job was at $28/hr in a very economically depressed area. I don't know if that's average pay for a vet tech, but I am surprised she earned so much just out of school in the small town she works in.

I'd definitely suggest you shadow someone currently in the field (of any of the fields you might be considering), at least for a day, just to see upfront & personally what you'd be getting yourself into. She's been doing it for 6-yrs now & it's doubtful she'll leave anytime soon because of her salary, but she doesn't enjoy her overnight schedule (she's never had the opportunity to work days, which she'd prefer), even though she's worked herself up to management responsibilities & an hourly increase to almost $43/hr. She has spoken of feeling rather grim at those who bring in obviously abused animals & being legally forced to return them after treatment. She also has to assist with surgeries & has had to put animals to sleep. She's been bitten once on the hand by a dog, in which stitches were needed & hurt her tailbone once when a large dog needed lifting, panicked & kicked & she toppled over.

I couldn't do it, but neither could I do any sort of nursing job, due to the squeamish factor. I have 2 sisters who are nurses & they can sit around talking about gangrene & infections, whilst eating & I feel faint, turn green & have to leave just hearing about it. So, that's something to consider. I wanted to be an RN as a teen, 'til I did shadow someone in a local hospital & nixed the idea.

Have you considered getting an associates in dental hygiene? I've known a few. All were well paid, even for their 1st jobs & amazingly, they all LOVED their jobs, even decades in. Something I did notice is that the few I knew worked 2 PT jobs... 1/2 days in different dental offices. That's mainly as the dentists didn't want to provide benefits, but they were making well over $40/hr (with years of experience) & didn't care. It's a field with increasing jobs as the population is getting older & requiring more care, but regardless of age, people will always need cleanings. Look at the Labor Board's stats on that profession... they're excellent, as with vet techs. I've also seen that if working for the gov't, the salaries are very high with great benefits, for either profession. Dental hygiene is something I've considered as a mid-life career change, but again, since I'm so squeamish, I'm not sure I could handle patients with gnarly teeth & dicey gums. I've checked out online pics of varying gum diseases & they make me weak in the knees. Maybe one outgrows that, but perhaps not always. I'd have to shadow someone for a day or so to see if I could manage.

Good luck looking around & best of luck with your decision.

[knowledgeiskey]

If you want a 2 year degree, you'll have to aim for an AS. ASs are designed for job entry. AAs are just transfer plans.

[mdovell]

Certifications are fine as a supplemental after you get a degree to show continued education. I wouldn't say they are on par with a degree in at themselves. A degree is from a institution that should be around for quite some time whereas certificates you can get away with smaller places because it might only be considered training.

[L210]

Originally Posted by s1alker

I keep hearing this term "trade school". There is no such thing other than those for-profit places like Triangle Tech that put you in debt and you learn no real skills. Community college is basically a glorified trade school today

Employers really don't want to train workers anymore. They expect "turn key" employees.

I think this might be a regional thing. In Texas, almost all of the trade schools are very expensive for-profit colleges. We only have one public technical college system that has locations in small towns. Training for the trades in Texas is mostly offered by community colleges. You have to be careful here when telling people to go to trade school, or they might end up at one of those rip-off colleges or institutes.

Just to give the OP an example of what one can find at a community college or technical college, I'll list the programs offered by a CC in San Antonio that focuses on vocational training. A lot of the allied health fields only require a certificate or 2-year degree.

• Aircraft Technology MSAC
• Accounting Technology, A.A.S.
• Administrative Office Assistant Technology Certificate
• Administrative Office Technology, A.A.S.
• Adobe Desktop Publishing MSAC
• Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT), AAS
• Air Conditioning and Heating Certificate
• Air Conditioning and Heating, A.A.S.
• Air Conditioning Systems - Installation MSAC
• Air Conditioning Systems - Service MSAC
• Aircraft Mechanic Airframe Certificate
• Aircraft Mechanic Powerplant Certificate
• Aircraft Structures Mechanic Certificate
• Aircraft Technician Airframe, A.A.S.
• Aircraft Technician Powerplant, A.A.S.
• Aircraft Turbine Mechanic Certificate
• Android Application Developer MSAC
• Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning Specialist Certificate
• Automotive Performance Specialist Certificate
• Automotive Specialized Tuning and Enhancement Program, Enhanced Skills Certificate
• Automotive Technology - Option II Ford ASSET, A.A.S.
• Automotive Technology Certificate
• Automotive Technology, A.A.S.
• Avionics Certificate
• Baking and Pastry Arts, A.A.S.
• Baking Principles Certificate
• Beginning Accounting Technician MSAC
• Biomedical EngineeringTechnology, A.A.S.
• Brake and Front End Specialist Certificate
• Business Communications Specialist MSAC
• Business Management and Technology, A.A.S.
• Catering Management Certificate
• Certified Database Specialist MSAC
• Certified Legal Receptionist MSAC
• Certified Medical Receptionist MSAC
• Cisco Systems Networking Certificate
• Cloud Computing MSAC
• CNC Manufacturing Technician, A.A.S.
• CNC Operator Certificate
• Collision Technology Certificate
• Collision/Refinishing Technician, A.A.S.
• Community Leadership MSAC
• CompTIA A+ and Network+ Certification Preparation MSAC
• CompTIA Linux+ Certification Preparation MSAC
• CompTIA Security + Certification Preparation MSAC
• Computed Tomography Enhanced Skills Certificate
• Computer Maintenance Technology, A.A.S.
• Computer Maintenance with Cisco Specialization Certificate
• Computer Maintenance with Cisco Specialization, A.A.S.
• Computer Support Specialist Certificate
• Construction Business Management (2755), A.A.S.
• Construction Technology Certificate
• Construction Technology, A.A.S.
• Culinary Arts, A.A.S.
• Culinary Studies Certificate
• Customer Service Specialist MSAC
• Diagnostic Medical Sonography, A.A.S.
• Diesel Construction Equipment Technician, A.A.S.
• Diesel/Heavy Equipment Technology Diesel/Light to Heavy Duty Truck Transmission Specialist Certificate
• Diesel/Light to Heavy Truck Technology A.A.S
• Diesel/Light to Heavy Truck Technology Brake and Front End Specialist Certificate
• Diesel/Light to Heavy Truck Technology Certificate
• Diesel/Light to Heavy Truck Technology Mechanic Helper I MSAC
• Diesel/Light to Heavy Truck Technology Mechanic Helper II MSAC
• Early Childhood and Family Studies, A.A.S.
• Early Childhood and Family Studies, A.A.S. - Specialization in Accreditation Leadership
• Early Childhood and Family Studies, A.A.S. with Specialization in Language and Literacy in Preschool
• Early Childhood Studies Certificate
• Electrical Trades Certificate
• Electrical Trades, A.A.S.
• Electronics Assistant MSAC
• Electronics Technology, Instrumentation, A.A.S.
• Entrepreneurship Certificate
• Ford Maintenance and Light-Duty Repair Certificate
• General Motors Automotive Service Educational Program (ASEP), A.A.S.
• Health Information Technology - Health Management with Allied Health Technical Specialties AAS
• Health Information Technology, A.A.S.
• Healthcare Technology Management Enhanced Skills Certificate
• Histologic Technician Certificate
• Hospitality Management, A.A.S.
• Hotel Limited Service Property Management Certificate
• Hotel Management, A.A.S.
• Human Patient Simulators MSAC
• Industrial Maintenance Management, A.A.S.
• Inert Gas GTAW/GMAW Welder (MSGW) Certificate
• Information Security and Assurance Certificate
• Information Security and Assurance, A.A.S.
• Invasive Cardiovascular Technology, A.A.S.
• Legal Word Processing Specialist Certificate
• Machinist/Machine Technologist Certificate
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging Enhanced Skills Certificate
• Manufacturing Operations Maintenance Mechanic Certificate
• Manufacturing Operations Technician, A.A.S.
• Manufacturing Skills Trade Helper Certificate
• Medical Laboratory Technician, A.A.S.
• Microsoft Certified Information Technology Professional Enterprise Administrator Certificate
• Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist Microsoft Exchange Server MSAC
• Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certificate
• Network Administrator, A.A.S.
• Occupational Therapy Assistant, A.A.S.
• Payroll Clerk Certificate
• Physical Therapist Assistant, A.A.S.
• Plumber's Helper Certificate
• Plumbing Trades Certificate
• Power Generation and Alternative Energy A.A.S.
• Power Generation and Alternative Energy Certificate
• Power Generation and Alternative Energy MSAC
• Production Tool Operator / Maintenance Assistant Certificate
• Project Management MSAC
• Project Team Leader MSAC
• Radiography Technologist, A.A.S.
• Refinishing Technology Certificate
• Refrigeration Certificate
• Refrigeration Technology, A.A.S.
• Respiratory Care Technology, A.A.S.
• Restaurant Management, A.A.S.
• Restaurant Supervision Certificate
• Retail Management MSAC
• Social Media Specialist MSAC
• Structural/Pipe Layout Certificate
• Surgical Technology A.A.S.
• Transmission Specialist Certificate
• Vision Care Technology, A.A.S.
• Vocational Nursing Certificate
• Web and Mobile Developer Certificate Level I
• Web and Mobile Developer, A.A.S.
• Web Designer Apprentice I MSAC
• Web Designer Apprentice II MSAC
• Welder/Welding Technologist, A.A.S.

Originally Posted by knowledgeiskey

If you want a 2 year degree, you'll have to aim for an AS. ASs are designed for job entry. AAs are just transfer plans.

I wouldn't say this is generally true. AAS, AOS, and similar programs are meant for job entry. AS programs are very transferable to BS programs. A lot of the time, AS is reserved for STEM fields, and AA is reserved for non-STEM fields. However, one might find an AA in chemistry, biology, physics, etc. An AS in science or mathematics is not going to lead to many job opportunities. It doesn't really matter if you have an AS in Business Administration or an AA in Business Administration; you're probably going to end up as an administrative assistant either way. Some fields don't lead to many job opportunities until the baccalaureate or graduate level. What's most important is what you study and if it leads to certification or licensure rather than the type of degree. But, you generally won't see vo-tech programs offered as AAs, so it's not really anything to worry about.

[Mr.Gomar Holnyuk]

A BS/BA degree is useless without a Master's. In a 4 year degree you take 1/2 Core/Classics/Lit blah blah classes. Masters is 30 credits of actual studies in the field.
Certs expire in some 2 years.

And earnings with 4 vs. 2 year degrees... $1million more over a lifetime, but consider the taxes, college loans and tuitions, etc.

I know people who park cars with college degrees, and people with no college playing poker for $10k in Vegas.

[L210]

Originally Posted by Mr.Gomar Holnyuk

A BS/BA degree is useless without a Master's. In a 4 year degree you take 1/2 Core/Classics/Lit blah blah classes. Masters is 30 credits of actual studies in the field.
Certs expire in some 2 years.

And earnings with 4 vs. 2 year degrees... $1million more over a lifetime, but consider the taxes, college loans and tuitions, etc.

I know people who park cars with college degrees, and people with no college playing poker for $10k in Vegas.

You're saying that a BSN and BS in Accounting are useless? A 150-credit hour bachelor's is usually all that's needed to become a CPA. There is really no point in getting a master's in nursing unless one wants to become an APRN, go into management, or something to that effect.

When your cert expires, you just renew it. There are professions that require a graduate degree where you have to renew your license periodically.