Career Switchers-Any Regrets?

Maggie Ryan · Jan 21, 2005

Maggie,
I see from your posts that you did decide to drop at this time. I hope things get better for you over the next few months. My mom passed away 3 yrs ago this March from lung cancer at age 65. It is very hard to lose a parent, we always feel they will still be here. Thank goodness I still have my dad, but he is a cancer survivor so life is precious to him now.
Did you reapply to the program or maybe you don't need to? I am waiting to hear about a few jobs, but plan to reapply to the nursing program for either fall or next spring. I know we have a hugh waiting list so it might not be until the spring. But I think I might finish the classes needed for the BSN, I need 6 for that.
I believe the both of us were meant to go for nursing, but we just keep having things get in our way. Hopefully someday we will find our way.
Take care
Debi

Hi Deb sorry about your Mother :crying2: nice to hear from you I tried replying to one of your e-mail's to me but it would not go through because you box was full. Yes I did drop my classes and I feel somewhat sad about it, I had the opportunity to give it a go but my mind just was not in it. My teacher was nice about it and hopes to see me in the fall. If I decide to go in the fall then I need to reaply all over again and being I have my pre-req's done since 97 that's whats my college goes by to get into the program I should not have any problem getting in again, I just hope I'll be ready then.

Your right I believe we both are meant for Nursing for some reason we keep reaplying for the program whether we take the seat or not our heart is still there. I hope you job leads come through for you I just got my letter from my job today stating how much leave and pay I have left ect....they have been so good to me that alone makes me feel bad if i decide to leave the company....but that's the way I am always thinking of other people first.

I'm having a hard time getting motivated about anything right now my mind is in a daze from what has happened in the last few months, my moms death was a shock even though she had (chf) she was doing good with all her meds and I just talked to her that day and she felt good she said, then later that nite I got the call her heart gave out in the bathroom I nearly went crazy...we were best friends..I guess time we make things better to deal with but the pain will NEVER go away I learned that from losing my Dad.

You mentioned taking classes for your BSN that's a good idea I'm thinking about taking a Math refresher course I like Math but I am not good in it and I know this profession requires alot of it. Well again keep in touch and good luck with getting the job you want right now.

Take care

Maggie

studentdeb · Jan 22, 2005

Hi Deb sorry about your Mother nice to hear from you I tried replying to one of your e-mail's to me but it would not go through because you box was full. Yes I did drop my classes and I feel somewhat sad about it, I had the opportunity to give it a go but my mind just was not in it. My teacher was nice about it and hopes to see me in the fall. If I decide to go in the fall then I need to reaply all over again and being I have my pre-req's done since 97 that's whats my college goes by to get into the program I should not have any problem getting in again, I just hope I'll be ready then.
Your right I believe we both are meant for Nursing for some reason we keep reaplying for the program whether we take the seat or not our heart is still there. I hope you job leads come through for you I just got my letter from my job today stating how much leave and pay I have left ect....they have been so good to me that alone makes me feel bad if i decide to leave the company....but that's the way I am always thinking of other people first.
I'm having a hard time getting motivated about anything right now my mind is in a daze from what has happened in the last few months, my moms death was a shock even though she had (chf) she was doing good with all her meds and I just talked to her that day and she felt good she said, then later that nite I got the call her heart gave out in the bathroom I nearly went crazy...we were best friends..I guess time we make things better to deal with but the pain will NEVER go away I learned that from losing my Dad.
You mentioned taking classes for your BSN that's a good idea I'm thinking about taking a Math refresher course I like Math but I am not good in it and I know this profession requires alot of it. Well again keep in touch and good luck with getting the job you want right now.
Take care
Maggie

Maggie,

hello again. I did receive an email telling me that you tried to send me a private message so I had to go in and delete some messages, my box was full so now I can receive messages again.

I am looking into reapplying with my school also. I don't know if they can put my application back into the pool or if I have fill out a new one.

My prerquisites are all finished too, but I hear my school has a waiting list of like 400-500 people so I may have to wait until possibly next spring. But like I said I need six classes for the BSN so I could finish them and then when it came time to work towards the BSN, it would only be nursing classes.

My niece is in her final semester and will graduate in May. I am so envious of her because I could have been almost done also had I started way back when she did. She really does seem to like it and is looking forward to when she can go to work.

But sometimes life gets in the way and if it's meant to be, we will get through it.

Take care and talk to you soon

Debi

BETSRN · Jan 23, 2005

For those of you that left your first profession to go into nursing, do you have any regrets? If you could, would you return to your former profession now that you have experienced the realities of nursing? I am considering switching from teaching to nursing and am having trouble deciding.Teaching is no longer fulfilling to me and I have achieved all that I can in that area. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. :)

Absolutely NO regrets whatsoever. Now, I have two wonderful careers.

sun_chica · Feb 7, 2005

carleigh-

I'm a newer RN (6+ months), I'm on the other side of the fence, I'm not liking nursing thus far & was considering going for secondary education...just curious what specialty you are in & what you mean by "you've gotten all you can from teaching".

As for me, I'm looking to possibly leave bedside nursing b/c of staffing ratios & I feel I'm getting burned out b/c I want to to my best all the time. the stress takes a huge toll on me! I already work out regularly & try to eat well, but my poor husband has to listen to me gripe about work.

Hope you find what truly makes you happy... thanks for any advice you can offer!!

BETSRN · Feb 7, 2005

carleigh-
I'm a newer RN (6+ months), I'm on the other side of the fence, I'm not liking nursing thus far & was considering going for secondary education...just curious what specialty you are in & what you mean by "you've gotten all you can from teaching".
As for me, I'm looking to possibly leave bedside nursing b/c of staffing ratios & I feel I'm getting burned out b/c I want to to my best all the time. the stress takes a huge toll on me! I already work out regularly & try to eat well, but my poor husband has to listen to me gripe about work.
Hope you find what truly makes you happy... thanks for any advice you can offer!!

PLEASE give your decision some more time and maybe look for a different position. You have not had nearly enough time to make a career decision so soon. You have not even had enough time to get your feet wet. I understand that your present position is stressing you. But unfortunately, no position (or career) is without stress of some sort or another. You need to remember one very importnat thing....you may WANT to do your best and even if you are giving your best (even in the classroom) you will not always be successful and you will see kids fall behind and/or fail despite your best efforts. That's people for you!!

I was a classroom teacher before I became a nurse. I loved teaching and I love nursing. Part of my nursing career now is teaching childbirth, lactation, the highschoolers, etc., in addition to my regular position as a staff nurse. I am lucky enough to be able to combine both.

The grass is NOT greener elsewhere, you know. There are problems everywhere. There are many problems within the educational system. Have you loked at what a mess so many schools are in today? Kids are not learning as they should. Teachers are not paid that well and only for 180 days, remember. Divide that down over 52 weeks and it is not a high salary. Why do you think most teachers supplement their income in the summers??????

You have a wonderful, potentialy lucrative career in nursing that you can grow in many directions. Neither job is glamourous. Maybe you were led to believe that nursing was glamorous.

Please give it a chance and look for a position that is more comfortable for you. Ask for an extended orientation. many hospitals have them and if they value their nurses you'll be able to tell.

Good luck.

sun_chica · Feb 8, 2005

betsrn-

thanks for the input, I'm still trying to explore different options in nursing, we'll

see what comes of it!