Occupations
Both nursing and accounting are promising occupational fields. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists both nursing and accounting as favorable in terms of overall job opportunities, growth rate within the field, and future prospects. Moreover, the salaries for these two respectable professions are comparable. Personal interests aside, it would be difficult to recommend either accounting or nursing. Working conditions vary considerably between these two vastly different professions, but even within their fields, nurses and accountants work in varied environments depending on their area of specialization.
At least a Bachelor's degree is required to become an accounting professional. Advanced degrees and specialized services offer certified accountants further employment and salary advancement opportunities. Nurses, on the other hand, can avoid the expense of 4-year degrees. Associates Degrees and Diploma programs are available for Registered Nursing licensure. Therefore, if initial costs of education or educational requirements are concerns, nursing might be a more attractive option.
Nurses work in high-stress environments almost daily. Three out of every five nursing jobs is in a hospital, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Moreover, nurses are rarely self-employed. These considerations might deter someone from pursuing a nursing career. Accountants are more likely to succeed as an independent professional and unlike nurses, can work from home. Nurses, on the other hand, enjoy the regular stimulation of social interactions that accountants sometimes lack. Individuals who dislike office environments would do well to stay away from accounting. Many accounting jobs, though, are with firms and large organizations that do offer a high degree of social stimulation and the opportunity to travel.
The median annual earnings for accountants in the United States as of May 2004 were $50,700. Nurses during the same time earned a median income of $52,330. Nurses therefore earn slightly more than accountants but the top ten percent of accountants do have the potential to earn more than the top ten percent of nurses. Therefore, salary is comparable. Job opportunities may be slightly better for nurses, though. While accounting offers "favorable" opportunities and "faster-than-average" growth, nursing is an "excellent" area in terms of job opportunities because nurses are in exceptionally high demand (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Based on the slight increase in earnings, the improved outlook for job opportunities, the low initial investment in education and certification, and the satisfaction of working in a highly social and healing profession, nursing has an edge over accounting.
