Question by brittany: Neonatal icu nurse, substance abuse counselor. Schooling & advice?
Which job would you consider better. Both are very interesting to me & I would love to be able to do either.

Tell me about the school/degrees I have to maintain.

Thank you.

Best answer:

Answer by Annie
Hi Brittany! Here is information about becoming a substance abuse counselor. According to this site http://www.guidetoonlineschools.com/degrees/human-services/substance-abuse:

“A certificate in alcohol and drug counseling takes the least amount of time to earn, but these programs are generally only open to individuals who are already certified counselors. These certificates simply provide more specialized training and information to those who are interested in working specifically with people who are suffering from drug and alcohol addiction. While earning these certificates, students will study proven rehabilitation techniques and explore solutions to the challenges they will face as counselors.

To earn an associate degree, students will take more general classes. They will study psychology and sociology, learning how people come to be drug and alcohol addicts. Communication classes will also be required of associate students. The same sorts of classes will be taken at four-year universities, but bachelor’s degrees require more credits. Students will study actual counseling techniques and cases and they will also learn more about the effects that drugs and alcohol have on people.

Graduate degrees in counseling are required by most states in order to become a certified counselor. Most professionals earn master’s degrees in counseling with a specialization in alcohol drug and counseling. General knowledge of psychology and sociology is assumed, so curriculum will concentrate on techniques and theories of counseling. To earn doctoral degrees, students have to choose a specialized area of interest, such as a single patient case study or working with people of a certain socioeconomic background. They also conduct original research and write extensive dissertation papers on their chosen topic.”

Here is information about registered nurses/RNs according to http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Registered-nurses.htm:

“Registered nurses usually take one of three education paths: a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing (BSN), an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Registered nurses must also be licensed.”

Good luck with your choice! 🙂

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!