I am a 37 year old music teacher who is seriously considering a career change to nursing. I am not happy with my current career, but a little scared of making this change. I am married, but have no children. Due to bills/finances, I will have to work while going to nursing school. If you have time, I am hoping some of you will read this post and give me your reactions.
Reasons I am not happy with my current job: I generally work 40-50 hours a week in contact with students, and THEN I have to do my planning, grading and entering grades outside of that time. When I am at home, I always have work that I could/should be doing for school, so it is hard to relax or enjoy family time without guilt. I generally have 2-4 hours of work to do on the weekend. I have summers "off," but have worked during all but one summer because we need the money. I also have a really hard time organizing my time during the summer. I always say that I will use the time to get lesson plans made for the next year, but I really don't want to do it, so I put it off, feeling guilty the whole time. I love kids and I love music, but I do NOT like making lesson plans or dealing with parents. I love to teach choir, but on a normal day I have 35 minutes of choir, and 6 45-minute classes of general music, which I do not love. To do my job well, I feel like I give so much energy that I don't have much left for my home life.
Reasons I feel drawn to nursing: I am interested in helping others improve their health as I work to improve mine. I have had some experiences as an adult where I was able to do basic care things for family members that others in the family could not handle/did not want to do, and I enjoyed it. For example: massaging feet with lotion, trimming toe nails, assisting elderly grandmother with her bedpan, etc. I want to help others (as I do in teaching), but would prefer a job ends when I get off work - one where I will not have to do work at home to prepare for the next day. I have had some wonderful experiences with nurses - especially hospice nurses - and I think I have the potential to be a caring, compassionate health care professional. I would also like to make more money than I do now. I hope that is OK to say - it is not my ONLY motivation, but it is part of it. When I was younger I scoffed at money being an incentive to take a job (you should do what you love!), but after living as an adult with a mortgage and other bills, this seems like a legitimate reason.
After "lurking" on this website for about a week, I thought I would put this out there and see what folks had to say. I am NOT afraid to work hard and a physical job appeals to me. I was an excellent student in high school and college, so going back to class does not worry me. I guess I am just wondering if the reality of nursing will be better than the reality of what I am doing now.
Thanks for reading this long post, and I welcome any questions/insights! Thanks for all you do to care for others!
My gf taught smaller to older high school children (not music), but she actually had a nervous breakdown and one day just quit her job.
Look, I am a practical person. Nursing is harsh. You need a VERY good rapport with people, much patience and a great sense of humour. I know it seems we don't have much patience reading these sites, but nursing is tough physically and emotionally in equal amounts I would say.
Look at your physicality as well. Are you older? If you have any problems with joints/back and are older, I would not recommend going into nursing. I have worked with people who developed arthritis or whatever, or had it before going into nursing, and they have not coped. Taking pain killers or your regular medications will not help you once you do 7 differing shifts in a row (and I'm on call all the time so that's worse!), and your feet throb, ur so tired u can hardly get out of bed and I think it makes you age faster. Then u have to worry about making a mistake with medications cos ur so tired. Also you need a good way/s to deal with stress once you get home, cos believe me you will be stressed somedays beyond belief.
Nursing is also a political hotbed, (not saying teaching isn't). There are many politics from other nurses, doctors, families, etc you need to contend with. I think you also need to be a strong, assertive person, though as I work in mental health as well you sometimes need a softer and gentle, but firm approach. Once you get your initial qualification you will also need to work in a busy acute area to get skills to apply for your 'dream' job in nursing, ie: you may do 12 months on a medical/surgical or cardiac/renal (kidneys) ward. It's gruelling doing the shiftwork on heavy and insanely busy on these wards, but if you try to have a life balance (I've never achieved this!), you can do it. You just have to keep your studies up and think ahead to the future.
You sound like a realistic and sensible person, which is great. I would say do one or two semesters (don't give up the day job!) and see how you go.
Also, if it doesn't work out maybe you can volunteer to go in and see the patients and sing or play music to them - music therapy is great for patients' healing!
To the OP: I don't know if it is possible, but perhaps you can shadow a nurse for a day or at least for a few hours. It may help you make your decision. In that way you could talk to nurses in your area and get some of the local information you may want: opportunities, salary, hours, etc.
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.
Hello. I just wanted to tell you that your story was very inspiring, and gave me a positive mind to continue to pursue nursing.
I am a mother of five children, from age 3 (triplets), 8, and 11 years old. I am in mid. 40, with BA and MFA as my past degree, with experience as a contemporary craft artist. After the birth of my children, I have been stay-at-home mom. I and my son had some unique medical experiences (such as pediatric cancer for my son, infertility and high risk pregnancy), I have developed high respect to the nursing job, and now decided to pursue it.
However, I was simply very discouraged by its prospect because it takes long time for me to fulfill just pre-requisits, and nursing program is extremely competitive. If I study with my current pace (only one pre-req class per semester), the earliest I may be able to graduate from the nursing program will probably be when I am 53. I was quite depressed by my plan. I needed some strong encouragement and your post just did it. Thank you.
I just keep plugging along! I took one prerequisite each semester also (due to working); all online except Microbiology. Chemistry absolutely exhausted my brain but I managed a B. I figured I'm not hurting anyone and I might as well see what happens. If you don't try you'll never know. My thinking now is "If it is meant to be, it will be". I have done everything possible to get to the point I'm currently at; if it doesn't work out I'm meant to do something else. Good luck to you. And again, thank YOU for letting me know I put some positive energy your way...that made my day:D
I would not become a nurse again. Take a lot of time and really, really think about this as you continue to gather information. I personally consider becoming a nurse one of the worst decisions of my life.
I don't know if any of you are still on this site, but just wanted to let you know that I have finished my first year of nursing school and have my LPN license now. I will graduate in December 2014 with an Associates Degree and, if I pass my boards :), become an RN. I have worked as a CNA at a hospital since December 2011 and I really enjoy the hospital atmosphere. I see the stress level that some of the nurses experience, and I believe I will be able to handle it. I guess part of it is because I have done something else, and now I WANT to do this... I take responsibility for my choice. I know the job can/will be hard, but I am also looking forward to working 3 12's a week!
thank you so much for returning to tell what happened.
I don't look on this site much but I had this one tagged so when you posted it popped up.
Just keep on going...you are getting to your goal and you will find a job you like. Some are dreadful but nursing, itself, is wonderful. I feel blessed to have been able to have a wonderful career in nursing. I have has many jobs and seen many changes in health care but the changes keep on coming. Currently, my hospital is going through a hostile take-over and I'm seeing that those who can be flexible and can go with the flow are surviving and even thriving. Those who try to hold in to old ways are having melt downs...
Your experiences and opportunities will be different than mine but if you can see it all as an adventure and think if all the physical activities as exercise (I wear a pedometer to remind myself) you will thrive.
Congratulations! I was a music ED major for two years in the early 90s....went back to school to become a nurse at age 36. Just read through your thread and wanted to cheer you on! :)
Congrats!! I graduate in December as well. I never had another degree or career but of am a mom and non-traditional student so I get the dedication and work you've had to put into this! Way to go!!
I don't know if any of you are still on this site, but just wanted to let you know that I have finished my first year of nursing school and have my LPN license now. I will graduate in December 2014 with an Associates Degree and, if I pass my boards :), become an RN. I have worked as a CNA at a hospital since December 2011 and I really enjoy the hospital atmosphere. I see the stress level that some of the nurses experience, and I believe I will be able to handle it. I guess part of it is because I have done something else, and now I WANT to do this... I take responsibility for my choice. I know the job can/will be hard, but I am also looking forward to working 3 12's a week!
carolmaccas66, BSN, RN
2,212 Posts
My gf taught smaller to older high school children (not music), but she actually had a nervous breakdown and one day just quit her job.
Look, I am a practical person. Nursing is harsh. You need a VERY good rapport with people, much patience and a great sense of humour. I know it seems we don't have much patience reading these sites, but nursing is tough physically and emotionally in equal amounts I would say.
Look at your physicality as well. Are you older? If you have any problems with joints/back and are older, I would not recommend going into nursing. I have worked with people who developed arthritis or whatever, or had it before going into nursing, and they have not coped. Taking pain killers or your regular medications will not help you once you do 7 differing shifts in a row (and I'm on call all the time so that's worse!), and your feet throb, ur so tired u can hardly get out of bed and I think it makes you age faster. Then u have to worry about making a mistake with medications cos ur so tired. Also you need a good way/s to deal with stress once you get home, cos believe me you will be stressed somedays beyond belief.
Nursing is also a political hotbed, (not saying teaching isn't). There are many politics from other nurses, doctors, families, etc you need to contend with. I think you also need to be a strong, assertive person, though as I work in mental health as well you sometimes need a softer and gentle, but firm approach. Once you get your initial qualification you will also need to work in a busy acute area to get skills to apply for your 'dream' job in nursing, ie: you may do 12 months on a medical/surgical or cardiac/renal (kidneys) ward. It's gruelling doing the shiftwork on heavy and insanely busy on these wards, but if you try to have a life balance (I've never achieved this!), you can do it. You just have to keep your studies up and think ahead to the future.
You sound like a realistic and sensible person, which is great. I would say do one or two semesters (don't give up the day job!) and see how you go.
Also, if it doesn't work out maybe you can volunteer to go in and see the patients and sing or play music to them - music therapy is great for patients' healing!