Should I go for Dental Assistant or LPN?

I have just finished a CNA course and took my State Board exam in FL, I passed! I really like helping people. I'm 31 now and I have a not so good back, so I'm afraid I won't last as a CNA for too long. I was thinking about Dental Assistant (I really wanted Dental Hygienist but can't afford the course right now and need pre-req's). Also thought about LPN. What is the best one, best pay, etc?

Should I go for Dental Assistant or LPN?
okay so most dental assitants get their trianing on the job, 280,000 jobs in 2006, it is expected to grow grow 29 percent from 2006 to 2016, average salary is $20,000-50,000





LPN's go to school for 1 year, 749,000 jobs in 2006,LPNs is expected to grow 14 percent between 2006 and 2016 , salary is 26,000-50,000$





seriously either one you choose would be really good.


healthcare is such a great field to be going into (im going for PTA right now)


and both LPN and dental assistants jobs are growing at a faster than normal rate, so either one you will be able to get a job pretty much anywhere you go.





i would look at these two site to learn more about each:





http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos102.htm (LPN)





http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos163.htm (DA)





* also don't listen to people syaing that you won't be making a lot of money. those two both make a descent amount of money. and my degree is on an associate, but i am going to be making more money then a lot of people going for 4 year degrees.





so i would just look at the two sites i gave you, they are very good and credible..they helped me decide whether i was going to go for PT or PTA, and i absolutely LOVE and am so HAPPY that i chose PTA.
Reply:LPN
Reply:Why don't you try being an LVN....probably about 4 to 5 times your salary now...maybe even more....
Reply:Go with which ever you are more comfortable doing and enjoy doing you don't want a job that you hate doing
Reply:LPN...more options
Reply:best pay is RN...dental assistant are like $15 an hour..starting....but the hygienist pays more...my sister is taking up dental assistant....you can ask for a student loan just like what my sister did....i think you can ask for some assistance so you won't pay that much on you fee at school....
Reply:My suggestion to you would depend on a few things. First, ask yourself if you are able to leave your work behind when you go home at night. LPN work could mean shiftwork. Dental Assistant work would mean a day job--weekends off. Not so with LPN unless you get very lucky and can get the schedule YOU want. Also, if you can't leave your work at work, then you may not want the rigors and attachments of LPN work. (I ask this because I used to be in a field where my work was *always* with me and it can be very difficult and stressful. Also, how much do you want to be able to really help? LPNs can help in all sorts of circumstances--emergencies, catastrophic situations such as hurricanes and floods, etc. Working with or for the Red Cross or other such agencies. A dental assistant would not be needed in such situations very often. ;-) You need to know *exactly* what kind of "helping people" you want to do and how much depth you can give to that job. Also, consider your back problem. Can it get better? Will it get better? Can and are you willing to do what it would take to make it better so that you can do the harder work of an LPN? I wish you the very best of luck which ever course you decide on. I would personally vote for the LPN situation because I always wanted to be a doctor! LOL But, then, why don't I just go be a doctor? All sorts of reasons. Best of luck!