A little Advice for the newbie

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Specializes in ER at Level 1 trauma.

I have been looking at nursing as a possible career for about 3 years now... Only problem- I am a high school teacher and I am afraid of "making the leap of faith" into more schooling and another career. My husband is very supportive, my parents are not. They think that after I have invested my time (and their money) into a teaching career that I better stick to it. I am almost finished with my second year of teaching and I KNOW that it is not something that I want to do forever. (I feel like as a young female I can 'save' more of them from bad choices now than I will ever be able to reach in the future) I hope that doesn't sound silly.

Anyway, I am taking my pre requisite courses to be accepted into an accelerated BSN program, and I was wondering if there was any advice out there for me. I would really like to just have it all "laid out in front of me" PROS and CONS from new and veteran nurses. What things are the most challenging? (emotionally, physically..etc.) What are the best / worst parts of nursing? Any thoughts, feelings and stories would be much appreciated.

I have decided to enroll in a CNA course locally so I can get "first-hand" experience in a hospital and do some investigating from within (during my summer off) Is this a good idea? What more can anyone suggest?

I don't want to send the message that I don't enjoy teaching... I really love my students - more than the subjects that I teach in fact. I feel like I do more good each day when they come to me for advice or just to talk. It really is amazing to see their confidence soar because no one has believed in them before. To me, these things are more imoprtant than "how a bill becomes a law" and that is why I think that I want to pursue nursing. Any help????

Thanks :)

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Specializes in NA.

Being a newer teacher, there are many classes that you should be able to apply towards achieving your prerequisites. I think if you already know that teaching is not something you want to do, you should make a change...why not? You didn't waste your parents money, and if they would feel that a career change would be just that (not only is that their problem) but it doesn't sound like they are truely supportive. I would job shadow if you have the opportunity, just to get a taste before you take that leap of faith. If you choose not to, you may regret it later. You could make the change now or perhaps 10yrs from now, and I have a feeling now would be a bit easier. I hope the best for you, but please don't let your parents or even your husband make this decision for you. Ultimately it is all about you, what you aspire for, what makes you tick...and hopefully, what makes you happy.

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Specializes in ER at Level 1 trauma.

Thanks for the reply... I know that I feel the same way. Just need to hear it :) I am really excited about this...

How would I go about job shadowing? I looked on the internet and it seems like there are many opportunities for high school students only. Is shadowing a readily accepted and welcomed thing, like I could just call a hospital? Or should I try to locate a friend and go through them??

Thanks again

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You seem to be interested in nursing for the contact with people, rather than the technical aspect of it. As an alternative, may I suggest Social Work? You can still work in a Medical Setting, and will have much more time than an an RN to interact with patients personally. I work inthe ED, and no one has time to actually interact and encourage their patients, except on very rare occasions. I know this is also true of Med Surg nurses, and many other areas of nursing. We want to spend time with the patients, but much time is spent chasing down Physicians to clarify orders, dealing with pharmacy to get meds, double checking infusion rates, than sitting by the bedside.

As far as your parents, as long as they are not expected to pay the bill for your new academic program, then they really have nothing to say about your decision at all.

As far as pros and cons, I don't know. I wouldn't do anything else, but my sister is a teacher and she enjoys the fact that she has school vacations off (even if she does go in once in a while to work on something) she definitely has shorter days (by far) and gets paid only a little less than I do. Plus, she doesn't have to worry about potentially making drug errors, or such like that.

If you work as a CNA you will not need to shadow a nurse, you'll see enough of them working, and see it more accurately...I think working as a CNA is a great idea, that is what I did before I made a career change. Since I actually enjoyed being a CNA, I knew nursing would be find with me....

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Specializes in Hospice, Med/Surg, ICU, ER.

If you already know that teaching is NOT the career for you, don't wait; make your move NOW!!!!

I am 38 years old and was well aware in my early 20's that Nursing was the career I wanted. I let hurdles like mediocre grades and long waiting lists for admission to programs chase me into a 15 year career that, while I didn't hate it, didn't leave me satisfied and ultimately dumped me at the curb when the economy turned south.

Now, I have a family and am trying to work full time to support them while going to school fulltime. Youngsters may be able to easily take this pace, but it is nearly KILLING me! :eek:

Chase your dreams while you are young; lest you find yourself trapped by future responsibilities. There is NO BETTER time than the PRESENT!

Best of luck to you.

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Specializes in ER at Level 1 trauma.

Thank you!! It is so great to have inspiration... after reading a few of the threads I felt like I started second guessing my dreams. (a few unhappy nurses in bad situations I guess it is) I mean, I am all for being practical, and making informed decisions, but sometimes I think I just have to take that leap of faith!! You were so encouraging-- Thanks :)

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wow, me and you are the same person. I just graduated from college with a double major in environmental science and legal studies...and leave it to me to decide i'd like to be a nurse. My parents don't care...they paid for all of my college except for this last semester where i chose to go abroad. They are happy that i figured out what I'd like to do now, while i'm 22, and not 20 years from now, like they did. Plus, already having a degree you are more than halfway there if you do an accelerated program.

Better late than never, huh.

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I just wanted to let you know that you can do whatever you set your mind to doing. That is one of the wonderful things about America. College options are not closed based on age or second chances. I taught high school for 8 years and decided to make that change. After 8 years of teaching SBH-severe behavior handicapped students, I decided I have had enough. My wife has been super supportive and now I am in my last 8 months until I finish. Going back to school again, is a little bit tough and seems very tedious but I really enjoy the intense learning environment. I think that Nursing school is much tougher than a degree in education.(I have my Masters in education). My point is that I believe you should follow your heart and invest as little time into a dead end as you have too. If you already feel like leaving teaching after a few years, I assure you, the feeling will only grow in time. I began to feel that way after about 5 years. Don't look at your previous education as a waste, it will serve you well at some point. Good luck to you and follow your heart regardless of what others may think.

Bill

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I am not a Nurse yet, But I know how you feel, I have been in the United States Army. going on 20 yrs and I have come to the conclusion that I want to be a Nurse. I love to help people, but I also know that if your not happy with what your doing you will not be as effective at it as you would like to be. I say go for it no matter what anyone else thinks. My wife is behind me and thats all that matters, so good luck and take the plunge

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Specializes in ER at Level 1 trauma.

Thanks for all of the encouragement. You guys rock!! And I am gonna do it...:roll Started my CNA classes, working on my prereqs, and met with an academic advisor for the accelerated program-- she seems to think I am on track and will get in next spring!!!

I am really excited...

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I am not yet a nurse, but I will reply to you as a former high school English teacher and someone who has decided to pursue nursing as a career. It went a little differently for me. I decided that I did NOT want to teach while I was still doing my student teaching. At that point I was already in my senior year of college and I didn't want to start all over again...so I went ahead and tried to do it. On my first day all I could think was "I have to do this for another 30 years before I can retire?" Needless to say, my heart was NOT in it at all. During that year of teaching I realized that I definitely could teach, but it was not my passion. I kept saying to myself that I should not have allowed myself to be talked out of my original intention of becoming a nurse. Anyway, long story short...here I am with 6 months left of my LPN program and I am LOVING most things about nursing :biggringi . I realize that nursing will indeed have it's ups and downs, but the only thing I regret is not going to nursing school in the first place :sniff: . My best advice would be for you to just do it...if nursing is what you want to do, don't let anything stop you (not even your parents). Follow your heart.

LPN 9/06

RN 1/08

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Specializes in Psych.

Go for it there is alot of teaching to be done in nursing and more learning too!

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