Dear NL.
Recently, I was offered admission into a federal university to study psychology. I've always wanted to be a lecturer, so I opted for a course that wouldn't be much of a problem to me. My plan is to give in my best so as to come out excellent, go for my Masters abroad and venture into lecturing.

The problem here is: my parent doesn't buy the idea. They keep saying that landing a lecturing job is hard to come bye these days, that I might end up being disappointed. Moreover, a course such as psychology isn't one to expect any thing good from, especially here in Nigeria.

Now they are pleading I consider Nursing, according to them, I stand a higher chance of getting a job in a nursing profession to psychology. They are planning on sending me out of the country after the program. Should I just dash off my dream of becoming a lecturer to pursue nursing?

I love being around young people, and being in a university setting as a lecturer gives me that privilege to teach, mentor and guide them and at the same time work on my self. I think I'll find fulfilment as an academic. I'm confused, what would you advise me, if I were to be your brother?
Thanks

Nursing is better. You ll never run out of jobs.
Even in Nigeria

kelvine:
Nursing is better. You ll never run out of jobs.
Even in Nigeria

Thanks bro, I appreciate.

Macauley07:
Dear NL.
Recently, I was offered admission into a federal university to study psychology. I've always wanted to be a lecturer, so I opted for a course that wouldn't be much of a problem to me. My plan is to give in my best so as to come out excellent, go for my Masters abroad and venture into lecturing. The problem here is: my parent doesn't buy the idea. They keep saying that landing a lecturing job is hard to come bye these days, that I might end up being disappointed. Moreover, a course such as psychology isn't one to expect any thing good from, especially here in Nigeria.
Now they are pleading I consider Nursing, according to them, I stand a higher chance of getting a job in a nursing profession to psychology. They are planning on sending me out of the country after the program. Should I just dash off my dream of becoming a lecturer to pursue nursing?. I love being around young people, and being in a university setting as a lecturer gives me that privilege to teach, mentor and guide them and at the same time work on my self. I think I'll find fulfilment as an academic. I'm confused, what would you advise me, if I were to be your brother?
Thanks

Your parents advice is not bad. they just dont want you to put all your eggs in one basket as .you can study nursing and still do your masters in clinical psychology. and still.be a lecturer.

lecturing Job would be easy to come by in the next few years, you only have to be humble enough to receive the small pay in private university. NUC has over 50 private universities awaiting accreditation. with time, as you mingle with the professors in government, when they see how wonderful your publication are, they might get you in. morrver, you are financially boiyant to afford MSC abroad.

So long u like being a nurse not that u have to do it bc u don't have a choice.nurses should like what they do,so they won't be mean to their patients.

Nigerian economy for now does not have space for some courses.nigeria has no room for hobby rather you consider what can put food on your table later.

And who says you can't be a lecturer if you study nursing?

Macauley07:
Dear NL.
Recently, I was offered admission into a federal university to study psychology. I've always wanted to be a lecturer, so I opted for a course that wouldn't be much of a problem to me. My plan is to give in my best so as to come out excellent, go for my Masters abroad and venture into lecturing. The problem here is: my parent doesn't buy the idea. They keep saying that landing a lecturing job is hard to come bye these days, that I might end up being disappointed. Moreover, a course such as psychology isn't one to expect any thing good from, especially here in Nigeria.
Now they are pleading I consider Nursing, according to them, I stand a higher chance of getting a job in a nursing profession to psychology. They are planning on sending me out of the country after the program. Should I just dash off my dream of becoming a lecturer to pursue nursing?. I love being around young people, and being in a university setting as a lecturer gives me that privilege to teach, mentor and guide them and at the same time work on my self. I think I'll find fulfilment as an academic. I'm confused, what would you advise me, if I were to be your brother?
Thanks

If you were my brother, I would advise you to grab nurse! Sorry nursing. It has prospects both in and outside Nigeria.

Psychology? There are many psychology graduates that came into job market confused and they keep increasing. Don't add to it.

saintvc:



Your parents advice is not bad. they just dont want you to put all your eggs in one basket as .you can study nursing and still do your masters in clinical psychology. and still.be a lecturer.

lecturing Job would be easy to come by in the next few years, you only have to be humble enough to receive the small pay in private university. NUC has over 50 private universities awaiting accreditation. with time, as you mingle with the professors in government, when they see how wonderful your publication are, they might get you in. morrver, you are financially boiyant to afford MSC abroad.

Thanks a lot for the advice.

Since you love lecturing and mentoring, consider nursing too. You can have a degree in Nursing, further your degree in nursing to earn M.sc and PhD respectively. These days having a masters degree from another field may not qualify you for PhD especially in Nigeria. It is either you stick to the same course you studied at undergraduate till postgraduate or get stuck in the middle.

What is the name of those folks teaching nursing students?


My friend go do nursing so that your life will be better in future.

Nursing it is bro!!!

Sure, you are!

You're on the right track bro

Yes.... You are right ....

The best job prospects now is either nursing , medicine or I.T professionals

Nursing is a better option home and abroad

Since all what you want is to become a lecturer then the only question to ask yourself is:

Can I Excel in nursing?

Try to read well about the courses you'll be taking under nursing then see if you have what it takes to Excel in those courses.

And mind you, don't think nursing is all about biology! You'll take compulsory courses in mathematics, physics and chemistry - at least in your first year.

Also, can you read for marathon hours -say 10hrs a day- for 5days? I had a friend taking nursing during my undergraduate days. Whenever he was preparing for their sessional course he would read like mad. Medical students case is even worse.

So look at yourself and compare your abilities to what you think is needed to Excel in nursing. If you think you have most of what it takes then give it a shot.

On another hand,
As humans we can only plan, God's will is what will prevail.

If you eventually graduate but don't get a lecturing job, will you feel like your psychology/nursing training is a waste of time?

You need a backup plan. That's one thing you learn in entrepreneurship. If you invest money, time and effort in learning a skill or setting up a business. Then the market for the skill, product or service crashes how do you gain your money and life back? They call it planning for failure.

So if you don't get your lecturing job, is there any nearby field you can hustle your way into with your nursing/psychology certificate/knowledge?

I know for sure that in the health line, you'll always have food on your table, it might not be much or as delicious as you expect but you'll always have food.

So, those are a few questions to help you make a guided decision.

Good luck.

Your parents have seen what you are able to see at the moment. Consider nursing, because you can be able to navigate in the future. I still believe that you need some orientations and about life. In that case, you need to position yourself where you will always be needed. I do not know who are your advisers. Be mindful of the advices coming from your peers, they can be misleading

Take this advice.. If you are in Nigeria I strongly advice you do Nursing, but if you are abroad or have the desire to relocate after your program do any. Psychology sells in the Western world not Naija that we don't value it.

This should be a rhetorical question

In terms of job opportunities around the world nursing is better

Yes

Am surprised no one have asked where his strength really lies, science(nursing) or psychology (act)? its better to work on your strength than your weakness. Remember, its better to be a great psychologist helping people living fine, than a poor nurse who will jeopardize human life.

Follow your mind Macauley......

All the very best for the future.

Lol...

Do a first degree in nursing and get a second degree in like counselling psychology....

Capish

Nurses dont get paid much but always have jobs...

Honestly nursing is better for you.

Both home and abroad. If you find your way to move outside the country and come to say USA for example, you won’t regret the decision.

With nursing you can do whatever you want to do.
Researcher, lecturer, hospital floor nursing, critical care, emergency care, case manager (like a social worker), pediatrics, the list is endless.

If you are passionate about helping people both careers is good route, but psychology is more closer to people than nursing, as it will give you opportunity to solve personal problems rather than health alone.

In my opinion, if you choose nursing and end up with clinical psychology, you may be confined to medical practices, years of study will influence to your passion.

Second opinion, Nigeria is yet to explore the possibility in psychology, but am sure 180 million people need therapist. See the latest trends on marriage failure, people need help but no Professional counselor to guide them. Young people are making wrong decisions heading to failure but no proper guidance. But the problem of choosing psychology is that you will have to define or create your job or employment by yourself and for yourself. As you progress you can get opportunities from NGO.

PLEASE! my opinion is biased towards psychology, I study computer science, presently self employed but planning to go back for BSc Psychology or Sociology because I like helping people.

Before you make choices, research online to know what career either of psychology or nursing can offer aside lecturing.

https://www.learnpsychology.org