Teaching/Nursing

[rmhgy5]

I have just made the switch to Nursing from Biology. I'll be a Sophomore in college and I have a lot to think about. I started out as a Biology major with hopes of going towards Medical or Pharmacy School, but I realized neither was what I wanted to do. Now I have come to the decision of Nursing because I have always wanted to work with and help children. It's always been my so called "passion" to work with children. I have decided to go towards Nursing because of the great job stability and the ability to advance and have many different options. I have seriously contemplated either the NICU, Pediatrics, and becoming a school nurse after I finish. But it has also come across in my mind many times that I would love to work in a school setting with little children as an educator.

So, what I am really trying to get at is if there is a possible way to satisfy myself completely? Do you think it's possible to be a elementary school teacher and a Registered Nurse at the same time? I understand there would possibly more schooling involved, but I would work in a Catholic school setting because it's where I went to school and enjoyed the Catholic school system. The only thing with completely being only a Catholic school teacher is that the pay is miserable. I understand you should never do anything because of the money, but at the same time everyone comes to a time where they have to learn how to live on their own and be able to support themselves financially. Nursing to me is still something I would love to do and I think it's a great profession, but I want to find a way to incorporate both into my life. Maybe part time nurse at the hospital and full time elementary school teacher? Is that even possible? Please let me know if you have any ideas on this!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

I too love kids and teaching. Here is what I did and it might work for you: Worked as pedi nurse, finished graduate school while working, then transitioned to clinical educator. Now I do both.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

I'm sure you will get lots of good info from those who have "been there done that", like classicdame, but wanted to answer a couple of points you are asking about. Please be aware that there is no "great stability" in nursing; actually it is becoming (has become) anywhere from difficult to darned near impossible for a new grad to find employment. Of course it varies by region, but don't believe the media hype about the need for nurses...in most places in the US, there ISN'T such a need. Just go in with your eyes open.

That said, it will take several years of full-time work (between studying for core classes, mandatory electives and labs, plus years of clinical assignments in acute settings) before you will graduate and be eligible for licensure. Where does becoming an elementary school teacher fit into your timetable? They are not going to be simultaneous, I assure you. If you plan to become an RN first, then return to school to major in education (to be considered as an elementary school teacher), do you plan to work as an RN while attending classes for your second degree? Consider the time investment there. Not saying you can't, just saying....consider. If you are fortunate enough to land a job as an RN out of college (new grad) you won't be part-time.....the investment they are making in you nearly guarantees that you will be full time--or at least EXPECTED to be full-time. Your first year of nursing will require extensive training, far beyond what you learned in school. Are you going to do that AND seek that second degree at the same time?

Just food for thought.

[Nurse ABC]

If you work full-time M-F as a teacher and after hours grading papers, planning assignments, attending required open houses, faculty meetings, etc when are you going to work as a nurse? You will need downtime or time off so weekends wouldn't work well unless it was the summer and most nursing jobs require you to work year round. You really need to pick one. Working NICU or pediatrics can be difficult because the kids are sick and scared. You also have to deal with the families. If you become a school nurse you can work with kids as a nurse and teach them puberty classes, nutrition classes, hand washing classes, etc as teachers let you. It would be the closest job where you could have both of what you're wanting. You could also go into nursing and get a certification as a diabetic educator and work with a lot of kids that way. Maybe even become a pediatric nurse practitioner and work in a pediatrician's office. Money aside, think about what interests you most-education/teaching or medical stuff. Good luck deciding!

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

I'm thinking a CDE in a pedi endocrinology clinic would be just the ticket. It'll take you a good while to get there but the years will go by anyway so you might as well be in a position you want by then.