Choosing Between Tourism and Licensed Practical Nursing: A Career Decision

Dear aspiring collegiate student, as you embark on your college journey next year, choosing between tourism and licensed practical nursing (LPN) can be a challenging decision. Both fields offer unique opportunities, but they require different sets of skills and have varying levels of job security and future stability. Let's explore the pros and cons of each path to help you make an informed choice.

Understanding the Roles

Tourism is a vibrant field that focuses on planning and managing travel experiences. It involves promoting destinations, organizing travel packages, and ensuring customer satisfaction. On the other hand, licensed practical nursing (LPN) is a crucial health care profession that revolves around providing basic care and support to patients in various settings.

Tourism: A World of Travel and Customer Service

If you choose tourism, you will likely work in an office environment or remotely. This role may involve coordinating travel itineraries, dealing with signage, and providing customer service to ensure a pleasant experience. While the job is less likely to expose you to physical demands and bodily fluids, the customer interaction can be challenging, especially if dealing with difficult guests. On the bright side, a career in tourism can offer a chance to travel and see different parts of the world.

Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN): Care, Responsibility, and Physical Demands

Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN), on the other hand, involves a more hands-on and physically demanding role. LPNs are responsible for providing basic care, such as assisting patients with daily activities, taking vital signs, and administering medications. This career often requires standing, bending, and lifting, which can be challenging and potentially injury-prone. However, the work is highly rewarding as you make a significant positive impact on people's lives, particularly when they are in need.

Assessing Career Security and Future Prospects

The current global pandemic has dramatically affected the tourism industry, leading to significant job losses and economic strain. In contrast, the demand for health care professionals, including LPNs, has increased as people face health challenges amidst the ongoing situation.

According to recent data, the tourism sector faces considerable uncertainty, with the industry expected to take years to recover fully. However, the demand for health care professionals, such as LPNs, shows no sign of slowing down. Even as the coronavirus pandemic subsides, the push for medical professionals will continue as the world adapts to the new normal.

Flexible Career Paths and Volunteering Opportunities

While tourism can be a vibrant and exciting career, the future of the industry remains uncertain. On the other hand, the world will always have a need for nurses. Many nurses enjoy traveling, taking on volunteer work, or filling temporary positions in various locations, including places with refugee communities. For those seeking stability and meaningful work, LPN offers a secure and fulfilling career path.

Conclusion

Your decision between tourism and LPN should be based on your values, long-term goals, and ability to handle the challenges associated with each career. While tourism offers the opportunity to travel and serve guests in a relaxed environment, LPN provides a rewarding and essential service in the health care sector.

Take the time to research and speak with professionals in both fields. Discuss your options with a career counselor to gain a deeper understanding of the requirements, job outlook, and personal satisfaction each role can offer. Regardless of your choice, confidence and determination will be your greatest assets as you embark on this next chapter of your life.