Former teachers now RNs?

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I posted a similar thread recently in the student nursing section and got some positive responses to my question. I would like to know if there are any nurses out there who used to be teachers and how they feel about their career change.

I taught elementary school for 8 years and have realized that I just do not want to do that for the rest of my life. It is much more stressful than most people realize. I am not expecting to find nursing any less stressful, I'm just pursuing a career change in a field that has always interested me.

I am hoping to hear some positive feedback from former teachers so that I will feel more confident in my decision as I start school in August.

Thank you in advance for your feedback. :)

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I posted a similar thread recently in the student nursing section and got some positive responses to my question. I would like to know if there are any nurses out there who used to be teachers and how they feel about their career change.

I taught elementary school for 8 years and have realized that I just do not want to do that for the rest of my life. It is much more stressful than most people realize. I am not expecting to find nursing any less stressful, I'm just pursuing a career change in a field that has always interested me.

I am hoping to hear some positive feedback from former teachers so that I will feel more confident in my decision as I start school in August.

Thank you in advance for your feedback. :)

I am not a former teacher but counselor. It wasn't so much stressful, just boring and there are few opportunities in my area. I wish I would have not gone in so blindly, but live and learn, I guess. TG I dont' have any student loans, etc. just alot of wasted time I guess. So yes now I am going into nursing and God willing will graduate in 07 ! I need something fast paced and flexible -- plus I do love helping people and being "with" people.

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I taught middle school for one year. It was way too much work at home and I had to work the summer anyway because teaching didn't pay enough.

I went from middle school to psych research nursing, and it was much better for MY sanity, at least!

Plus I still get to teach, even though it's informal. There's a lot of teaching in the nursing profession. :)

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Specializes in Government.

Just one point of view. My neighbors are young, in their 20's. They both teach public school...one teaches 7th grade geography, the other music. They do not take extra jobs, no summer school, etc. Although 20 years younger than me, they already make more than I do and have better benefits and a fabulous retirement plan. They've never worked a night or a holiday. And they are happily in their 3 months off for summer.

I realize teaching is a miserable existence for some people. Just know it isn't always greener here in nurse world. I am a career changer myself so I know the drill. Best wishes to you all.

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Just one point of view. My neighbors are young, in their 20's. They both teach public school...one teaches 7th grade geography, the other music. They do not take extra jobs, no summer school, etc. Although 20 years younger than me, they already make more than I do and have better benefits and a fabulous retirement plan. They've never worked a night or a holiday. And they are happily in their 3 months off for summer.

They must not work in OK. :) Some states do pay their teachers commensurate to their education.

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They must not work in OK. :) Some states do pay their teachers commensurate to their education.

Tx either !

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Oh Holly! You wouldn't believe how many OK teachers go to TX because they pay MORE! :rotfl:

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Just one point of view. My neighbors are young, in their 20's. They both teach public school...one teaches 7th grade geography, the other music. They do not take extra jobs, no summer school, etc. Although 20 years younger than me, they already make more than I do and have better benefits and a fabulous retirement plan. They've never worked a night or a holiday. And they are happily in their 3 months off for summer.

I realize teaching is a miserable existence for some people. Just know it isn't always greener here in nurse world. I am a career changer myself so I know the drill. Best wishes to you all.

Thank you for your point of view. I am from NC and was only making $33,000 a year with 8 years of experience. I could not support my household with two children if not for my husbands income. Also, my mother is a teacher and will be eligible for retirement in December. However, she cannot afford to retire. With 30+ years of service, she only makes $52,000 a year. The benefits are not what they used to be either. The state is trying to make it so that teachers have to now pay for their own health insurance!

Although having time off in the summer is nice, we usually get less than two months and spend part of that time in various training workshops. Also, after about a month of total "togetherness" with my family, we are all ready to find something to do-like go back to school, work, etc. :rotfl:

One other thing, although I am at home at night, I have worked many nights grading papers, averaging grades, making bulletin boards, etc. I never get compensated for my nights and weekends of work!

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I agree with Cowup Girl-I worked almost every night as a teacher. My friends and I would often say that in teaching you write the play, you direct the play, and you clean up after the play each and every day. I think it is misleading because even though teachers may not look like they are working nights-if they are are dedicated at all they are probably grading papers on nights and weekends. I think that is a lot of guilt in teaching as well-like people feeling like they have to do more and more for the kids but I think it is really easy to forget about your needs or your families needs.

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