Teacher to nurse? Questions from a military spouse

[girlinpearls]

Hi,

I always longed to work in the hospital setting. I got a degree in college that would allow me to go to PA school, but I instead decided to marry my husband and become a high school science teacher so that I could be more available to my family. He is military, moves around and is gone a lot. I got my MA in Education and am in my second year as a chemistry teacher (two states so far). I am very dissatisfied with teaching high school kids and have no passion for it although I am told very often that I am good at it. I see others with such enthusiasm for teaching and I'm just not there. I am thinking for the fifth time of going back to nursing school. I know that the hours for nurses can be a bit crazy; however, I feel that if I loved my job it would be worth it. My husband thinks that this is a "grass is always greener" thing and that I will regret not having summers off. I'm wondering if you all can offer any help. I want to have time to spend with my children and wonder how the hours are for nursing? Are there benefits for moms as a nurse that I may not be considering? Is it hard to move around as a nurse? I know the military lifestyle puts the spouse tagging along and I really want to do something for myself but I don't want to hate it later as a mother. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated from mothers, military wives, or anyone who feels they can help. Thanks so much in advance.

-Melanie

[regularRN]

PAs have a lot to say, but in reality they don't get to do a whole lot without an MD's permission... also their hours are longer than RN's so they may earn a little more money but they work way more. In the middle of the night, an RN will more likely call the PA before the MD.

[Baubo516, RN]

To the OP - I am not a nurse, but I am currently a teacher who is leaving teaching to become a nurse. I am a music teacher, so I had lots of outside of school commitments in addition to the normal planning and grading that goes with being a teacher. From your post, it sounds like your heart is not in teaching, and believe me, I KNOW how difficult it is to be there day after day if you do not LOVE it! I loved it at first, but now that I am burnt out, I know I have to leave.

I am hoping that nursing, while taking away my "summers off," may give me more of an even keel to my schedule and my year. I have been completely busy, overworked and stressed out during the school year, then during the summer I would collapse for about a week, teach voice lessons to make money, clean up my classroom, and then develop a terrible inertia that made it really hard to go back in the fall. For me, a predictable schedule year-round where I actually get paid for all of the hours I work may work out better for my physical and mental health.

Check out my old posts/threads for other perspectives on leaving teaching, if you wish....

Also - I was a military dependent growing up, so I know about the moving around lifestyle. My mom was a teacher, and while I don't remember much about her having summers off, I DO remember that she used up all of her energy and patience at work, and then was totally drained and often crabby at home. I loved my mother very much, but after talking with my husband, I realized that I was doing the same thing with my teaching job, and we don't even have kids! I am making changes to hopefully achieve more balance in life!!!

Let us know how it goes for you!!

[rockymnthoney]

I am a military spouse and have been an LPN for the last six years (3 duty stations) and graduated yesterday as an RN. I did this at a state university in 3 years in one duty station. I already have several job offers in AK and in several other states as well. I have never had a problem finding work, actually the opposite! My next plan of attack is to get a double master's in International Healthcare and as a NP.

As a military spouse you get priority hiring at military and VA facilities. I am not a mom but think that nursing will not interfere as much as you think. You can work for a school or clinic and have normal 9-5 hours or you can work at a hospital 3 days a week. Good luck with PA or RN, you will do great!!!!!

[teachtennis]

Hi all,

I am a military spouse and looking to go to go back to school in the medical field. I graduated college recently with my bachelors in biology and I have completed a Medical Assistant program and have been volunteering at the base hospital for the past few months (of the 6 months we are stationed in MS while my husband is in training). I originally had planned to go to PA school but now I am questioning whether it is a good career for myself as a military spouse who will be on the move every 2-3 years. I am now considering that perhaps nursing would be a better route for someone in my position. So, my predicament basically revolves around which job is more portable. Any insight would be so unbelievably appreciated. Thank you :)