Changing career path/major..advice please?

m_aidez · Sep 13, 2010

I'm sure if you get part-time or PRN.

April, RN, BSN, RN · Sep 13, 2010

You are the one putting in the time, effort, and money into your education. Who cares if you change majors again? I think you should go the teaching route if that is where your heart is.

Foreverstudent11 · Sep 13, 2010

Thanks April! You are sure right about that.. I need to think about myself.

I guess I am doubting myself because I feel like I will let down my family and friends..feeling like a failure.

fortunato · Sep 13, 2010

I had a similar story - I literally had changed my original bachelors 5 times in undergrad! I just couldn't figure out what I wanted to do with myself.

I ended up with a Finance degree - then got out in the real world and found out I hated it! GREAT.....

Now I am in an accelerated nursing program!

If you found an area you really like, then go for it. But I would recommend that the experience you are getting is "real life", or what you can expect out there in the job market before making such a big decision.

I wouldn't decide to be a teacher after watching the movie Dead Poet's Society or something to that effect and getting all mushy from that you know?

Even if you switch your major now, it is SOOO much better to do it while you are still in college - not down the road and old like me! :)

Furthermore - a word about teaching. I am not sure where you live, but figure out if you can get a job with that when you graduate! I have tons of friends in the MI area who can't find jobs with their education majors! That is the worse!

I am all about following your passions, but do so responsibly! Like can you actually get a job and make a living doing what you love! Good luck!

OH - P.S. I would not do nursing unless your into it! I just started my schooling, but it is too hard and requires too much of me, for me not to be 100% committed to it!

N2NRSING · Sep 13, 2010

How about a school nurse? If later on you decide you want to teach its fairly easy to get certified for teaching with bsn I think. At least in Texas it is! Maybe you can have the best of both worlds? Good luck.

noahsmama · Sep 13, 2010

....I am subtitute teaching as a part time job right now. I have found that I love it! ....
Problem is..I already switched majors..feels like a million times.
Started with nursing..switched to biology (teaching highschool)..then back to nursing last year..and now...
I feel so stupid for changing my mind so many times!.....

How much dumber will you feel if you end up in a career you don't love, just to avoid changing majors?

Follow your passion!

nursynurseRN · Sep 13, 2010

I know this relates to school, but I figured that experienced nurses could probably give me some insight!
I have one year left in an ADN program. Now, I am unsure if I really want to be a nurse. I am actually doing great in class and clinicals. (Of course, I have the typical nerves before clinical days but I usually leave with a pretty good feeling - like I learned a lot and got a lot of work done.)
I am subtitute teaching as a part time job right now. I have found that I love it! I love the students of all ages, but especially the little ones. I love teaching them a lesson (although usually prepared by the teacher) and I can see that they are getting it and learning. I love the schools, the teachers.. everything. And, I don't feel like this about nursing.
Problem is..I already switched majors..feels like a million times.
Started with nursing..switched to biology (teaching highschool)..then back to nursing last year..and now...
I feel so stupid for changing my mind so many times! (I have 120 hours already..and been going to school for 3.5 years. So, it would probably be 1.5 years more for teaching and 1 year for nursing)
Any advice? What should I do?
If I do finish my nursing degree, are there hospitals that would work with my schedule as a new grad if I wanted to continue with school (but not in nursing)?

If I were you I would finish my nursing major, work and go back to school for teaching. You can always teach nursing. And if you cant stand nursing go do teaching but at least you have completed one career.. Good luck!

MrCare · Sep 13, 2010

one year or 1.5 years... that is nothing important compared to the real point. What do YOU want to do for the next 40 years of your life? Teach or be a nurse? Yes you could always switch careers in the future, but lets focus on one question. If you close your eyes, what do you imagine yourself doing 10 years from now in the year 2020?

By coming on here and asking the question, you are looking for reassurance of something. You want someone to tell you what to do. You gotta think for yourself and not listen to us. What do you want? write a list of the pros and cons and the reasons why you would like or dislike being a nurse or teacher. everything including location, salary, benefits, intrinsic value, day home per week vs at work, etc.

I know it can be tough to choose between 2 paths in life. I chose between Physics, Linguistics, Education, Health. I chose Health (Nursing). I also teach ESL at nights. Currently in ADN program. Have 1.5 years left. I have 5 years of ESL teaching under my belt. I enjoy both equally.

Why not get your RN, go back to school for teaching and work RN for income. Then switch to teaching for a while. Do 2 years of RN and 2 years of teaching. Then after 4 years, decide which you like more.

I wish you much luck with this! i know, i KNOW, that this is a touch decision process!

Good luck!

lilypad2424 · Sep 13, 2010

My 2 cents.........

Nursing school is NOTHING like being a nurse. Nursing school is a shock, it's a "necessary evil." It was the hardest thing I ever did, AND the most rewarding.

I totally aggree that you should follow your heart, I also know that situations in our lives are ever changing. Around these parts, it's VERY difficult for some to even get into a nursing program. The economy is such that jobs are hard to come by in many professions. And lastly, 1.5 years seems like a long time to invest in something that you are not sure about, though i suspect you will see it differently when you finish.

Choose wisely my friend, and best wishes to you.

MamaRose · Sep 13, 2010

I second the school nurse. You will be able to spend time with children and teach them and give them advice on how to take care of themselves. I'm sure you could speak to the classes about health/safety too which would satisfy your need to be in front of the classroom as well.

roser13, ASN, RN · Sep 13, 2010

Thanks April! You are sure right about that.. I need to think about myself.
I guess I am doubting myself because I feel like I will let down my family and friends..feeling like a failure.

You will only be a failure if you do not pursue what you know in your heart is right for you. Family and friends will adapt. Those that don't may not have your best interests at heart.

An extra 1.5 year to pursue your teaching degree, which you now realize is what you want? Pffffft! No time at all in the grand scheme of things.

Continung to pursue the nursing degree that you have realized is not exactly what you want? Many years of dissatisfaction, likely culminating in you returning to school for your education degree.

Other posters have suggested school nursing for you. FWIW, RN's do not, for the most part, graduate from nursing school and land school nurse positions. They must work a while, gain nursing experience, and then qualify for school nurse positions. Even then....minimal exposure to the experiences that you have decided are for you.

Listen to your heart...go for the teaching degree. Goodness knows, neither teaching nor nursing pays enough. You might as well get some job satisfaction in the process.