what career is the hardest to work in?

[jrbl77, RN]

I have started a firestorm in my family when I made the comment that teachers can retire at 55 after working 30 or so years. A friend just retired at a younger age than me with a pension that pays her 80% of her prior salary.I commented that I have been working as a RN for 36 yrs and am 56, but don't have the luxury of such a great pension.

Family members that are teachers have read me the riot act, saying that nothing is harder than teaching. I guess the fact that I have worked weekends, holidays and through snow and ice storms doesn't count. Or the fact that I have had my fingers in body parts that make most cringe. I guess that it is like comparing apples and oranges. You really can't make the comparison

What started this discussion, I made the comment that I am tired after working as long as I have. I feel that I am a good nurse with good skills, but healthcare has changed so much over the years. I find myself fixing many mistakes when I get to work before I can start my own work. Unlabeled IV tubings and sites, med errors, and clarifying simple med orders.

A few days ago, our staffing was low as the census was low. we where doing primary care. I had 2 pts and got a 3rd form the ER. This was fine, except I was supposed to be the RN and admit,we had no clerk and no one other than me could do orders, be the CNA and respond promptly to all call bells and to add, dc a pt with oxygen and the tank was leaking. We have no resp therapy on weekends. Some one did help me with the admit, but I just can't be more than 1 person at a time.

I feel that I have no where else to go. I am fortunate that I can go prn and get insurance coverage from my husband's job. But I still have this family that thinks I am lazy, because I don't want to work a full time job.

If nothing else, thanks for allowing me to vent. On my way to see the counselor I have been seeing off and on for several years.

[Tait, MSN, RN]

Everyone has their struggles. I find it is better to have empathy for those struggles, than to add to them by comparing/competing.

[llg, PhD, RN]

It could be a touchy subject in my family, too, as my sister was a public school teacher (retired at age 52 with 60% of her salary as a pension, adjusted annually for inflation). We generally avoid the topic, but when we get near that topic, we both show respect for the other's expertise and profession. We don't want to start a fight about. (And I think my sister is smart enough to know that she would lose in the long run.)

[netglow, ASN, RN]

I have an extended family member who is a teacher and a niece who is in school to be one. Too bad for the one in college now as she will not likely gain employment as a teacher - eg there is no teaching shortage either.

But the other member of my family works in a wealthy community school district and he doesn't realize how easy and predictable his life is. He's had the same job for about 30+ years. He just varies things year to year off of his original teaching plans he put together in his first couple years of working so long ago. He had a strike a couple years ago and the teachers won (barely), he makes a well into 6 figures a year. He's a nice guy, that has tenured job security, and is able to plan his life and retirement expenses without worry. But, in this area the teachers make a crap-load of money and the communities surrounding are taking notice since so many people have been laid off and can not make a third of what they had made before being laid off if/when they find someone to hire them again - that's a tough one to see teacher's striking over having to contribute a little to their health benefit package, etc. when so many have practically nothing these days.

[Good Morning, Gil]

It's really not a contest. Sure, teachers have to take work home with them sometimes, but they get all holidays and weekends off, not to mention, an entire summer. Okay, they might have to go in there early, but still, they get a lot of time off. And, they have the ability to retire early (or at least they did) whereas RN's never had pensions (or maybe they did?).

Your family member can retire. If you were single, an RN's salary doesn't really allow for early retirement. Teaching is just a less stressful job, too. Otherwise, why would RN's then go back for nursing education? lol, it's less stressful, better hours, and most of all, easier on the back. I love being a nurse, and didn't choose to teach, so not complaining. (though I'm fairly certain I want to teach later on, just enjoy teaching new nurses, and the flexibility of teaching adjunct would be nice, as well). Just saying: I agree with you.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

I think just about every profession has its fairly good days and its really poopy days. I don't think I need to point out the negatives of nursing. But, a school teacher has to put up with poorly behaved students, parents who insist on saying "but my kid would never do that!!", a rough job market, etc. (OK, so maybe it isn't all that different that nursing...except for the pay and all the time off). Both professions have to deal with random acts of violence. Plus, look at lawyers--a judge could call for a brief at the last minute and that prevents a lawyer from making it in time for his tee time at the country club! (ok, that was a gratuitous shot at lawyers, but I could not resist). I really don't think anyone can comment on how great or not-so great a particular profession is without actually living through it.

[Student Mom to Three]

I don't know. My husband was a special ed teacher and I would never, ever, ever in a million years do his job. Ever. Poop? He's got it. Getting smacked? Yep. Dealing with incredibly difficult students and family members and administration? Yessirree. But the worst part? He could have the same difficult student who maybe smears feces and hits everyone in sight for seven- yes, seven- years. Can you imagine having your most difficult acute patient for that long?? EEK. I don't know how he did it.

I think different people are just cut out for different things. He would never want to do my job, either.

FWIW- teacher pay isn't really all that fabulous. After 35 years of experience and a Master's Degree my husband was making $45 per hour.....7.5 hours per day....190 days per year. Good money? I guess. Worth it? Not to me!!

I totally agree that it is not wise to compare. Everything has pros and cons. Except winning the lottery. That is nothing but good.

[blackvans1234]

Teaching 1st graders how to fingerpaint, really tough.

NO TOMMY DON'T EAT THE GLUE!

[blackvans1234]

PPS-A friend of mine's husband teaches art and makes 100,000/yr after only 10 years in the district.

hmm

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

.......

FWIW- teacher pay isn't really all that fabulous. After 35 years of experience and a Master's Degree my husband was making $45 per hour.....7.5 hours per day....190 days per year. Good money? I guess. Worth it? Not to me!!

.......

Wow, this is definitely a case of region and school district coming into play. Teachers with mediocre experience (and, in some cases, mediocre teachers--with tenure, grrrr) are frequently in the near-6-figure range and some well into it. That's my kids' school district. But do I earn near that? No. Two snowflakes bump together, my schools will cancel, and the teachers get to stay snuggy at home, too. The kids won't be in class, but the teachers also aren't expected to get into their cars and go to school to catch up on, well, anything! Me? Drive white-knuckled through a storm is the expectation.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

Compared to my friends who were education majors, I found a job quicker, make more money, and was able to stay in the area. Many of my education major friends had to move for jobs. I may not get summer off, but I do get paid vacations, personal time, some holidays off, and a generous amount of sick time. I also have a good retirement plan. I try and remind myself of all these things as my friends count down their last week until summer vacation.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Teaching 1st graders how to fingerpaint, really tough.

NO TOMMY DON'T EAT THE GLUE!

I have to say things like that to some of my patients who aren't first graders.

And to answer the question in your thread title, the hardest career to work in is a career that you don't want to work in.