Changing from Teacher to Nurse- I'd love your advice!

Students Pre-Nursing

Published

Hello everyone!

I will graduate with my teaching license in May of this year.

But I realize now that my heart isn't 100% into teaching- I enjoy lecturing and my subject, but I feel like I have to do a lot of behavior management, bureaucratic paperwork, and it doesn't include any involvement in healthcare, which I thought I would be doing since high school.

So, what should I do? I'll have a bachelor's of science in math with a license in secondary education in May. Should I try to take pre-requisites while I teach and apply to schools? I have some experience as a home health care aide, working with physically and neurologically disabled clients, and I found that work really fulfilling and I could see myself continuing to do work like that. I really enjoy patient care, which is why nursing is slightly ahead of going to medical school to be a physician.

What would you suggest? Is there something that you wish you had known prior to starting as a nurse?

I appreciate any and all input! Thank you!

FutureNurseInfo

1,093 Posts

I am also a teacher. Well, I have been one for a few years. I am currently taking pre-reqs as I teach full-time. I will be applying to one ABSN program. I suggest you do the same.

KiwiKatt

28 Posts

I'm not a nurse yet, but I know from reading on the forums and seeing comments around a lot seem to struggle doing classes while working. You could work but I think that alone has your plate full. I had to do my nursing pre-requisites part time (because some were just really time consuming) and I'm unemployed. Everyone is different though. You could start working as a home health care aide again, I feel that would be more beneficial to you than teaching would if the medical field is the way you're going to go. I wish you the best of luck on your journey!

hufflepalian

3 Posts

Thanks for your advice! I'll look into ABSN programs around me and see what they require and take maybe 1-2 classes a semester while I teach, but I will let my first year teaching be simpler with only 1 class if any. I don't want to set myself on fire at both ends. It makes me feel better that there are other people who were teachers who are doing what I'm doing. Thank you again!

Specializes in psych.

I taught for 8 years before I left to become a nurse. I found my teaching background has helped me as I work with a lot of newer nurses and taking time to explain the rationales behind why we are doing what we do is key. I'm so glad I switched and couldn't be happier! Good luck on your journey!

hufflepalian

3 Posts

What motivated you to make the switch? I am trying to find opportunities to shadow so I can be sure about where I'm heading to next. I'm surprised that there seems to be a lot of ex-teachers who are nurses now.

I don't have much advise, but I am currently a teacher. This is my 7th year teaching and I decided to go apply to an ABSN program. I am finishing up a few pre-reqs that I am missing, while teaching full time. I also always thought I would do nursing but then I went into teaching. I realized that my heart is in medicine and decided to make the switch. I say find what is going to make you happy, if teaching isn't it, find something else.

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