I am a teacher wanting to change my career to nursing. Advice please!?

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So, here is the story of like many other people. I am 26 years old. I have a bachelor of science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies . I am a Special Education teacher. This has always weighed heavy on my heart: I have always wanted to be a nurse. The pre-req's and competitive admission of the programs have always scared me so I went into teaching. (I LOVE the kids, don't get me wrong). But recently, it's like someone has hit me over the head (more like my husband, dad, and teacher's I work with) and I know that I need to just deal with the competitiveness and just try to get into a program.

I also am just trying to rack my brain and think of a job I could possibly get to get me into a hospital setting to gain a little experience..... I did get a feeding technician job at Baylor in Dallas a year and a half ago but it was right when I got my first teaching job so I passed.

So here is my question: I live in Texas, near Dallas. What are the best nursing programs for someone like me who holds a bachelor's already and wants to go back into school, but who can't just up and quit my job now. Unfortunately, there is this thing called money and it seems to take a priority to living with a small family.... I am aware of TWU's weekend program.... Just wanting to know if I have missed anything else.

Thank you for any suggestions/ thoughts. :)

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Specializes in MDS/Office.

Just today, as a matter of fact, my Boss & I were talking about how nice it would have been to be a Teacher instead of a Nurse.......

Weekends off....

Holidays off.....

Summers off.....

But do what your Heart desires......

You can always go back to Teaching if you change your mind!

Good Luck! :cool:

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I know someone who was teacher during the week and the regular school year and ob/gyn nurse per diem.

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Thanks for the reply.... but if you only knew.... There are always pros and cons to all careers no matter what. When you are a teacher, you work more than 40 hours a week. You have to bring your work home with you. Teacher's don't get summers off like everyone thinks. We have to attend many trainings in the summer. There are also weekend trainings too. But like I said, there are pros and cons for every career. :rolleyes: No complaints, just ready for a career change to what I have always wanted to do.

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Specializes in stress relieving humor.

Attempting to work while attending an accelerated program can be detrimental to your health... and grades. A traditional program is going to take you at least 4 semesters + 2 summer sessions (where I attended). Also, have you done any nurse shadowing or volunteered at a hospital? I know it can be hard to find extra time for volunteer work when you're making career changes, but I always tell everyone thinking of going into nursing that they should try and get as much exposure to 'real' world nursing before they take the leap.

Good luck with your decisions.

p.s.

Don't go into nursing for the "stability" and the money, I know several unemployed nursing classmates.

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Thank you. No, I have never looked at it for the stability or money. It is what I have always wanted to do. If I was really concerned about stability, I would stay in teaching.

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I do believe there are some former teachers that are now nurses that post from time to time. It is just a matter of time before some of them see this post and respond to it.

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i don't know about texas, but a cc program is gonna be your best bet for an evening program (because you said u still need to work).

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Most nursing programs are going to be daytime programs, including most in the Dallas area as well. They really emphasize that they discourage you to work and attend nursing school, especially working FT. I did it but I don't have and children and didn't have any other choice, plus I was able to work all weekend so I had my week free to attend class and clinicals. Nursing school is very demanding, and even moreso if you attend an accelerated program like TWU offers. I attended a community college ADN program and several classmates had prior Bachelors degrees in another field, however they gave up their previous careers to go to nursing school. I'm a big fan of people doing what their heart desires but I recommend you think about if this is something "do-able" for you and your family at this time.

I also second the suggestion by another poster about attempting to shadow a nurse to see if it truly is what your heart desires. There's alot more involved in nursing than just holding a hand and "caring."

I should add that right now, the job market for new grad RN's in DFW is dead. Deader than a doornail. Sad, but true and I don't really see it improving for many years. Dallas has never really had a nursing shortage, maybe slightly, but with the downturn of the economy and word spreading nationwide that there are plentiful jobs here, people have flocked here looking for nursing jobs. That, coupled with the plethora of nursing programs in the area that pump out several hundred new graduates combined every year has led to an oversaturated pool of applicants. It could be a very real possibility that you could invest $30,000+ on a nursing education and have to relocate your family elsewhere to find a job as a new nurse when you finish.

PM me if you want more info on Dallas area nursing schools.

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