Advice on nursing/counseling/human services

[calibox]

I recently decided to go back to school...but I am having problems deciding what to do. I have a BA in Communication but don't want to stay in this field. I am in PR now and don't find it interesting at all! Anyways, I am considering studying nursing, counseling, or human services. I enjoy helping people and want to do something stimulating that makes a difference. If anyone has studied these areas or now works in them I would love to hear why you chose them, what the schooling is like and what you like or dislike about the job/school.

Thank you!

[rolo99]

Well, I have a M.A. in Counseling and have a license, L.P.C. (licensed professional counselor) that I got going to grad school full time for 2 years. Unfortunately my license is not recognized in 3 states: California, New York, and strangely, Tennessee. I liked the schooling because I did my B.A. (psych.) in a large school of 45,000 students. Each of my classes had at least 100+ people in it. My grad school focused on basic counseling skills, techniques, theories, and practice in small classes of 20-30 students each. I got to know my professors and they me, on a first name basis and not as a number.

I wish I had known that my LPC is not as marketable and recognized as a MSW (Master's in Social Work), also a full-time 2 year degree. My LPC is much more widely recognized now since it was when I got my degree in '93.

I got my first job 4 mos. after graduation in a teenage runaway shelter making $18k/yr. Then I moved into substance abuse and worked in 2 rehabs over the next 9 years. After 10 years of substance abuse counseling I was BURNED OUT. I just couldn't do it anymore because I didn't care. I was depressed because I had this M.A. and didn't want to do counseling, so what could I do? I really didn't want to go back to school.

Then I found my current job as a case manager. It's not a case manager like most cm jobs are, which are entry level and you basically assess & make referrals. I interact with insurance companies and justify why patients need to stay in treatment. I also communicate with various professionals where I work (mostly the counselors) to gather info. for them to "build" my case for the patient. I have almost no contact with patients, but still advocate for them, which is the best of both worlds for me.

Good Luck!

[calibox]

I was just wondering how you got the MA in counseling. was it from your ba in psych or your masters in psych?

Thanks for the info, it is really helpful!

[rolo99]

My M.A. is in counseling, not psych. My B.A. is in psych. ('91), then got my MA in Counseling ('93).

[calibox]

ok so you got a ba and then got an MA (which is undergrad right) and then got the lcp? Just wanna make sure i understand...thanks

[rolo99]

got the BA (undergrad in 4 years), then got the MA (grad school 2 yrs.). Back then you got the LPC after paying $150 for a 3 yr. license provided you got your MA from an accredited school. Since '94 it changed. Now to get your LPC you need the MA, PLUS you need to be supervised by an LPC for 2000 hours PLUS you need to take an exam. Until then you are an LLPC (limited license professional counselor). When I was in grad school, all the part-time students were pushing like mad to finish before that '94 deadline.

Got it?