Career switch: Education to Nursing

stpauligirl · May 6, 2006

I'm currently a teacher and I feel that it might be time to turn in my badge and devote my time into a field that would allow me to utilize my desires--to contribute to one's life in a positive manner and to use my bubbly, light-hearted personality to make someone's day a little brighter--but not at the expense of my sanity! I was wondering if any of you are currently or were formerly teachers. Would you consider going back to teaching if you could, or have you found that nursing is your God-sent passion and you know that there's nothing else in this world meant for you? I am really worn out from dealing with kids with no respect or manners, parents who bring their kids to school with no respect or manners, and my school itself. Am I so tired of it that I have to say "There's no way I'd go back to the classroom next year"? No. Am I checking my options? You better believe it!
If anyone out there can give some input, I'd gladly take it. I applied to a nursing program in the area and I think I need to do some heavy-duty shadowing before I end up getting accepted and devote blood, sweat, and tears into the field. Thanks, ya'll! Have a good weekend :)

Before deciding to become a nurse I was attempting a teaching degree and substituted. I hear you about kids not having any respect!!!!!!! Just the other day I went as a chaparone on my son's field trip and boy there was this kid with SERIOUS conduct problems, he was running completely wild and acting like a little vandal at the Botanical Garden !!!!!

I don't know if things will be better in nursing...anytime you have to deal with people it may be potentially crazy! I don't know how well I will deal with demanding patients and family members....they may forget that they are not at BK where you get it your way...well, the money will be better, at least something positive.

cjog · May 7, 2006

Hmm, this is a toughie becuase you are going to be dealing with demanding and stressful situations in either postion. In the school it's the kids and their parents, in the hospitals it's families and doctors . . . you get my drift. I guess you could 'pick your poison' based on what you have the most passion for. If you really truly want to do something, you will eventually learn how to deal with the downsides of the job. But I wouldn't expect nursing to be any less to deal with than teaching. Hope that helps.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · May 7, 2006

i have to agree with the other posters. if you think going into nursing is going to get you out of working with disrespectful parents, kids, or family members you have found the wrong field, at least initially. i am told that after a year or so one can move out of direct patient care.

i know what you are going through as a teacher. i worked in social work for several years before switching careers. i too am fed up with the poor attitudes of families etc. but i plan to give myself a time frame (limited one), where i will work bedside and then move on to something else.

that is the great thing about nursing; there are other things you can do outside of direct client care. i suspect that your teaching background will open up doors so that you can expand your nursing career once you have the background and education. good luck.

Raymond CA · May 7, 2006

I feel for ya, lady! I work as a private tutor now, for high school students in math, science, the SAT, etc. Most of my students are nice and have good attitudes (usually the Asian ones), but I do have some rotten apples that help ruin my good mood. Most of my students are rich and some are very spoiled.

One of my friends is a junior high teacher who keeps having to discipline and control disruptive behavior in her class, and she's very frustrated. She's thinking of leaving the country for Hong Kong to teach there, where teachers are treated with great respect as part of Asian culture.

I will start nursing school next year in an accelerated BSN program, and I was an engineer for several years before.

I think the hardest part of nursing for me will be the mean and nasty patients and families I will inevitably meet. I just hope the ratio of nice to nasty patients will be worth it.

Good luck, and I truly empathize.

NaomieRN · May 8, 2006

...

NaomieRN · May 8, 2006

Manofbess, After I received my bachelor in nutrition, I worked for two years. I was not happy at my job because I was under paid and doing five people's job. I decided to get my master in education, which was a free program. I was also getting a small stipend. I completed the program in one year. My first experience as a teacher, was horrible. I knew from the first semester that I was not going to be a teacher for the rest of my life. I got so sick the first semester with respiratory infection, fever, and chills due to long hours with 30 kids. So many kids were sick and parents still allowed them to come to school. After I graduated, I substituted for six months, the kids loved me and I loved them too after 3pm lol. After I received my degree, I decided to take a job as a nutrionist consultant instead of teaching with board of education. That a great decision. I have been working as a consultant for six years now. I feel great to be going to nursing school because I have a good background in nutrition and diseases, which is going to help me a great deal in nursing school.

Good luck to you.

NaomieRN · May 8, 2006

.