Anyone go from teaching to nursing?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I am currently a middle school special education teacher (I've taught elementary special ed as well) and am thinking about making a career change. I was just wondering if anyone has gone from teaching (at school! I know that nursing is a lot of teaching! :) I would love to know any of your experiences and thoughts. I am not particularly satisfied with teaching for many reasons and am thinking about moving to nursing. I think that there are a lot of overlapping things with teaching that I would like in nursing like taking care of others and trying to make a difference. I'm not sure how I'd go about the whole nursing school thing since I have a family to support, so there are many things to look at. Thanks in advance for any thoughts and sorry to ramble on! hahaha...

I have been teaching special education for 5 years. I am currently finishing up prereqs for the program. I have always wanted to be a nurse and had put my dream to the side because I needed to work. However, now is the time for me or lets just say I am making it be the right time. I am so tired of the kids and the teacher suffering due to lack of responsibility in administration, on the school level and county level. Plus, working with the type of students I work with, I am basically being nurse to them. I am excited to be making this change. I am going to apply to a part-time program that will allow me to work full-time. My only issue is I don't really want to be teaching and going to nursing school at the same time so I am trying to find another full time job.
Hi, is the part time program a BSN program? How many classes will you be taking each semester?
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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Pediatrics.
Hi, is the part time program a BSN program? How many classes will you be taking each semester?

The part time program is a BSN program. I am in Georgia and the program is Brenau University. I believe it will be two classes or three per semester. The clinicals will be on Saturdays and Sundays.

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That is great! My husband is having second thoughts about me pursuing this especially since I would be giving up my income. I am thinking about going part time too so I can sub a few days a week.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Pediatrics.

Believe me, I understand! My husband was feeling the same way when he found out most of the programs were full time. I would love to not have to work while attending school but that is just not possible. This is the sacrifice I will have to take if I want to pursue nursing now. Oh yeah, the program is three years.

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Believe me, I understand! My husband was feeling the same way when he found out most of the programs were full time. I would love to not have to work while attending school but that is just not possible. This is the sacrifice I will have to take if I want to pursue nursing now. Oh yeah, the program is three years.
Three years isn't bad. Well keep us posted on how things go with your program. I wish you much success on your nursing school journey!
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I wasn't a teacher but I tutored nursing students while finishing my program and continued to tutor when I started working as an RN. I found it very challenging! Here I was tutoring these students "by the book" and working while breaking all the rules! Instead of doing everything the nclex way I had to be fast, efficient, and cost effective. It felt like I was leading two separate nursing lives lol.

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I wasn't a teacher but I tutored nursing students while finishing my program and continued to tutor when I started working as an RN. I found it very challenging! Here I was tutoring these students "by the book" and working while breaking all the rules! Instead of doing everything the nclex way I had to be fast, efficient, and cost effective. It felt like I was leading two separate nursing lives lol.

Sounds like teaching to me! ;)

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Pediatrics.
Three years isn't bad. Well keep us posted on how things go with your program. I wish you much success on your nursing school journey!
Thank you and I will keep everyone updated!
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My situation is fairly similar to several people who have posted on this site. I have been on my path towards a nursing career for the past 3 years - taking prereq courses, volunteering at the hospital, applying to schools, etc. I have been totally set on getting into an ABSN program (since I already have my BA in psychology). However, I haven't been able to get into any of the programs last year, and same with this year. BUT I did get into an ADN program which I have been reluctant to take due to the fact that the ABSN program is 15 months long vs. ADN program being 2 years long. For that reason, I am considering just settling for being an Elementary teacher - which i'd also LOVE to do (and the program is 15 months long), but on the other hand I don't want to waste all the time and effort I have put towards my future nursing career. I am torn between both teaching and nursing.

My background: I have been a tutor for 6+ years helping students in all grades and subjects from 1st grade thru College (Spanish, English, Math, Anatomy, Microbiology, and Physiology). I have also been a Substitute teacher for a year - during that period I challenged myself try sub for ALL grades and subjects. I have absolutely LOVED subbing for 2nd-5th grade and look forward to my job everyday...even though it can be VERY draining and stressful.

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