Considering nursing...need advice!

Fiona59 · Jan 9, 2011

Hindsight is 20/20. Looking back, I wouldn't do it over.

As you are aware, that first job for a new nurse is hard to find. Full time in my area is unheard of. Part time if you are lucky with the possibility of picking up extra shifts.

Weekends off? Not likely. My hospital system requires nurses work every other weekend. Depending on your rotation, stat holidays are a thing of dreams.

Shift work. Yup. There are nursing jobs out there that are straight days but they don't go to new grads with zero experience unless they are in the places nobody wants to work.

Wages? In my province Teachers make good money but their first job is hard to find as well. From what I've seen here, wages in the US vary widely.

The reality of nursing is for every patient that appreciates you there is one that loathes you. You may be injured on the job and that injury can be permanent and many times has resulted in an change to the nurse's life. In a decade I've never once seen a patient or their family ask how the nurse is doing, even when they've been injured in front of them or providing care.

Only you can decide if it's worth it. Just remember the golden jobs don't go to those with zero experience, they are usually earned by time spent in the trenches.

Guest27531 · Jan 9, 2011

I'm sorry your chosen profession has not worked out the way you hoped. I will assume you have checked out all the other available options for music teachers in your area so I will not talk about that and from what I know about Music Therapy in hospitals, I don't think you would find it would provide the change you are looking for.

From your description it sounds like your motivation is fine. Interesting you should wonder if its "ok" to talk about the money aspect as there are those who may chastise you for bringing it up but it is a responsible consideration for an adult so you are right to consider it. You will also, presumably, need to pay for your education, so you should be making enough to support yourself and pay back your student loans. I do believe that some people bring it up because, as a nurse, you really do work for that money and there are individuals who consider becoming nurses because they think it will be "easy money". It's not. You will need to develop dedication to stay with it but I do think you are on the right track.

To start out I'm a little concerned that you will need to continue working while you are going to school. You have described being so drained by your current job that you may not have the energy it takes to complete nursing school. Normal classroom work is difficult enough (anatomy & physiology, chemistry, microbiology, etc) but it's the Nursing Classes that can really cause some disruption both in your schedule (most clinicals are in the daytime when you probably need to be at work) and in your emotional energy level (nursing classes can be emotionally taxing).

I recommend that you first check out all the schools in your area that would be "do-able" for you and find out what credits they will accept from your past college work and what will be required of you during the course of an entire program. You can get alot of information online, then you should call the school and tell them you are thinking of applying and ask if it would be possible if you are still working. Perhaps they have evening or weekend classes.

Teaching is very much a part of nursing, and the fact that you do not shy away from the physical care seems to me to mean this might be a good choice for you. When I worked for the Visiting Nurse Service of NY our union was the NY State Teachers Association. The nature of your job after graduation will be something you need to consider carefully because, given your description, you would probably not be well-suited to jobs that require 24-hour responsibility or 24-hour call...but the specialty if nursing has so much variety you need not worry about that now. There are plenty of jobs where you walk away at the end of the day and leave it all behind.

Where do you live?

miteacher, ADN, MSN · Jan 9, 2011

I am in the same situation as a teacher who is planning a career change. I am on a waiting list here in Arizona, and will go to a weekend/evening program while teaching. I teach 4th grade, and am also overwhelmed by the amount of extra work required by teachers in addition from having no support from parents or administrators.

I decided after my third year of teaching, that I have had enough, and it is time to try something else. I had toyed around with the idea for a couple years now before finally putting it into play. I finished all my science pre-reqs online through the local community college, took the hesi test, and am now waiting. I should start in the fall of 2011. I think it will be worth it. I definitely have people skills from dealing with education.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jan 10, 2011

You have a teaching degree. You need to explore that avenue. Do Not switch to nursing.

Probably 98% of nurses wish we had a degree in education. I know I do.

Nursing is BRUTAL. Physically and emotionally.

You are complaining about students and lesson plans.

Oh, my dear... you cannot imagine one single day on a med surg floor...

Clean up **** b4 breakfast, code a patient that was brain dead... tell the family their loved one has died

All before you get a coffee break!

Then stand on your feet for 12 hours without eating or even a bathroom break.

Run away from Nursing, develop you educational options. :twocents:

Baubo516, RN · Jan 10, 2011

Thank you very much for your replies! I value your thoughts, as you have the experience that I do not. I will definitely continue to do research as I won't make a change until I know what I am getting into.

Baubo516, RN · Jan 10, 2011

I'm sorry your chosen profession has not worked out the way you hoped. I will assume you have checked out all the other available options for music teachers in your area so I will not talk about that and from what I know about Music Therapy in hospitals, I don't think you would find it would provide the change you are looking for.
From your description it sounds like your motivation is fine. Interesting you should wonder if its "ok" to talk about the money aspect as there are those who may chastise you for bringing it up but it is a responsible consideration for an adult so you are right to consider it. You will also, presumably, need to pay for your education, so you should be making enough to support yourself and pay back your student loans. I do believe that some people bring it up because, as a nurse, you really do work for that money and there are individuals who consider becoming nurses because they think it will be "easy money". It's not. You will need to develop dedication to stay with it but I do think you are on the right track.
To start out I'm a little concerned that you will need to continue working while you are going to school. You have described being so drained by your current job that you may not have the energy it takes to complete nursing school. Normal classroom work is difficult enough (anatomy & physiology, chemistry, microbiology, etc) but it's the Nursing Classes that can really cause some disruption both in your schedule (most clinicals are in the daytime when you probably need to be at work) and in your emotional energy level (nursing classes can be emotionally taxing).
I recommend that you first check out all the schools in your area that would be "do-able" for you and find out what credits they will accept from your past college work and what will be required of you during the course of an entire program. You can get alot of information online, then you should call the school and tell them you are thinking of applying and ask if it would be possible if you are still working. Perhaps they have evening or weekend classes.
Teaching is very much a part of nursing, and the fact that you do not shy away from the physical care seems to me to mean this might be a good choice for you. When I worked for the Visiting Nurse Service of NY our union was the NY State Teachers Association. The nature of your job after graduation will be something you need to consider carefully because, given your description, you would probably not be well-suited to jobs that require 24-hour responsibility or 24-hour call...but the specialty if nursing has so much variety you need not worry about that now. There are plenty of jobs where you walk away at the end of the day and leave it all behind.
Where do you live?

To NYLady:

I live in Iowa.

I don't plan to try to teach while going to nursing school. If I go forward with this, I plan to complete CNA training this summer, so perhaps I could work as a CNA while attending school. The school I am looking at has day and evening classes. Also, I could teach voice lessons, and my former students might provide a good market for this.

Thanks for your reply!

Baubo516, RN · Jan 10, 2011

To Fiona59:

Weekends off? Not likely. My hospital system requires nurses work every other weekend. Depending on your rotation, stat holidays are a thing of dreams.

That is OK with me - I don't mind working weekends as long as I am OFF when I am OFF. I worked retail for about 6 years and worked all different types of hours, including until 6pm on Christmas Ever.

Only you can decide if it's worth it. Just remember the golden jobs don't go to those with zero experience, they are usually earned by time spent in the trenches.

I get that! I know I will be starting over at the bottom of the totem pole. Thanks for helping me foresee some of the harsher realities of nursing!

Baubo516, RN · Jan 10, 2011

Nursing is BRUTAL. Physically and emotionally.
You are complaining about students and lesson plans.
Oh, my dear... you cannot imagine one single day on a med surg floor...

You are right - I cannot imagine. Thank you for sharing with me the harsh realities of your job. Those are the things I will need to consider before making a decision.

Sart45 · Jan 10, 2011

Well...I am a retired art teacher; I taught for 30 years. Beyond fried when I left; I'm substituting now. I'm also a CNA at a hospital (part-time). I have a BA and an MA. I just finished all my pre-requisites at a Community College; I had several of the classes in the past but too long ago to be accepted.

I just applied for an Accelerated nursing program at a University. If I get in it will be due to my experience in life as I only have a 3.3 average in my prerequistes. Working as a CNA has really shown me the "inside" life of an RN; I work 12 hour shifts and they are horrible; and personally I think very unhealthy for the mind and the body. I know I do not want to be a "floor" nurse. I know the job market is horrible for nurses but I'm still pursuing the education. I'll see what happens.

Teaching is an extremely difficult job and unless you have been a teacher for a long time you do not understand the challenges it presents. I'm sure you get the same comments I got..."Oh, it must be so much fun teaching music"...(art for me). I could go on forever but I want you to know I completely understand what you are saying about the profession. Getting into nursing school is not the easiest thing these days...in fact, it's getting rather riduculous considering the lack of jobs. Good luck with whatever you decide.

lsvalliant · Jan 10, 2011

. I love kids and I love music, but I do NOT like making lesson plans or dealing with parents.

Nurses have to make care plans and deal with family members of patients who are sick, which can be quite difficult.

I hate to be a negative nancy here, and I can only speak for myself... but I think most people go into nursing thinking they are going to help people. The truth is after a few years of this, I feel more like a pill pusher and care more about getting my charting done and less like I'm really doing a great deed.

But maybe you can use your teaching degree to help you become a nurse educator. Like a diabetes ed. or a lactation consultant. Those might be some suggesions worth looking into. Jobs are kind of hard to find now, but will probably get better in the years to come as the economy improves and more boomers retire.

One more thing to consider.. You say you have to work while you go to school. Nursing school is tough and many of my fellow classmates had to seriously cut back their working hours in order to study and pass classes, so be prepared for that.

Good luck with your decision and keep doing your research online.

handyrn · Jan 10, 2011

Since you are thinking of a second career, I am assuming you are a "mature" person with roots in your community, a mortgage, husband with a job, etc. You will be staying put is what I am getting at as opposed to being young and single and able to pick up and move. One thing that I suggest you look into is wages. I am originally from small town Iowa. The pay is not very good in a lot of those places. Sure, the bigger cities in Iowa may pay well, but you would be surprised at the difference in wages between the cities and rural areas. Make sure you actually TALK to some nurses in your area. Don't depend on internet websites that tell you what the average nurse in Iowa earns! You may find out that you are making more now than some of the nurses in your area are. I know I was making less in Iowa than the teachers were.