Career Advice please!!

[missdanielle92]

Hello,

I just got a job as a caregiver last week and I am currently training. I am at an assisted living facility and I have training next week as well and then I will be on my own. I am working full time to get experience before going to nursing school in September (I haven't gotten in to nursing school, just applied). However, I did not realize how hard this job would be until actually doing it. People told me it would be challenging and difficult, but I didn't think it would take this huge toll on me. I just started this job, so maybe it's doubts I'm feeling but I'm very overwhelmed and I don't know if I want to do nursing anymore.

I've always considered kindergarten teaching and maybe that would be easier because maybe I would enjoy that more? I love kids and I love teaching them about math and reading and helping them solve problems. I volunteered as a kindergarten teacher assistant in high school and absolutely loved it. Of course, I was doing all the "fun" stuff and never the lesson plans or report cards, but I enjoyed it very much. I grew attached to the kids and looked forward to seeing them and helping them learn. I don't look forward as much to going to work as a caregiver, to be honest. The environment is great and my coworkers are wonderful and I do like helping the residents. However, I'm not sure I like helping the residents as much as I enjoy teaching kids. Everyone at my new job has been so helpful and welcoming, so why am I feeling this way?

Should I stick with it for a couple more weeks because I just started? Or are these signs that I should leave ASAP and go for teaching instead of nursing? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[gulfcoastrn2014]

Actually assisting the older generation is very advantageous ! Take the time to get to know some of them! I have been a cna for 18 yrs, and I am about to graduate RN school May 08! Of course I am an older student, but don't go to nursing school for the bucks, go because you want to help someone when they need us most of all! On the flip side, you can gain a lot of knowledge listening to some of older generations! Best of luck on whatever you decide! Donna

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

Can I ask you this, Why are you applying to nursing school? It's a question you need to ask yourself. Especially if your passion is teaching? I have a great deal of respect for teachers. It is a thankless job that has it's own rewards. I have several friends who are teachers and they love it. It is not something I could do for it requires much more patience than I have. Nursing is still about helping people but just in a different way. It is a very difficult job, but so is teaching. You need to sit down and think about what you really want to do with your life. It took me a long time to figure that out, so I would like to give you some sage advice. Life is way too short. Too short to be spending it doing something you don't love doing. I wasted many of my years working jobs I absolutely hated. Now at 38 I am on the right path. I hope you can figure out what you would like to do, and once you do, go for it!! Good Luck!!