I want to change careers from nursing to teaching, help!

Trauma Columnist · Sep 24, 2004

My husband is a high school teacher of JROTC (he is retired military) and has a bachelors degree. Check with the Illinois Dept of Education or the local school board where you want to work. Good luck..judi

UTRN2005 · Sep 24, 2004

I want teach 6th grade instead of nursing. I dont like nusring any more. Do anyone know about what education i need to teach. I have my BSN degree.Can I teach without a Master's degree?:)

My mom and sister are both teachers, Kindergarten and 1st grade respectively. In TX, you can either get a bachelor's in Ed or do an alternative certification. If you do the alt cert then you can start teaching and you have a year in which you have to finish the course work (on the weekends) and take the teacher's exam. Most people here only get their Master's if they want to be a counselor, go into administration or want to do something specialized like reading recovery. I'm not sure if it works this way in IL. I would check with a local college or the state education board to find out. Good luck.

Jolie, BSN · Sep 24, 2004

If you are in IL, you can substitute in most school districts as long as you have a Bachelor's Degree. That may give you a chance to try out teaching as a career. There are also accellerated (sp) programs which lead to a teaching certificate for those already holding a Bachelor's Degree in another field. I believe that Governor's State University in the south suburbs offers this program. A Master's Degree is not required for an entry level teacher, but some districts require them for those wishing to advance to higher pay scales or take on additional responsibilities.

payday · Sep 24, 2004

Substitute teaching is a good idea. You can get a feel for the different schools and different age groups. I did it for a year but the pay ain't so great, went back to nursing and being stressed out. I felt I was treated with more respect at the high school level with my peers than management treated me in nursing. I really enjoyed the teenagers, even the trouble makers.

payday · Sep 24, 2004

forgot to mention, I know quite a few teachers who are getting their master's degree from distance education, makes it much more convenient

Silverhawk · Feb 18, 2005

I want teach 6th grade instead of nursing. I dont like nusring any more. Do anyone know about what education i need to teach. I have my BSN degree.Can I teach without a Master's degree?:)

I'm an LPn, buty I have a B.S in management, amomg others, but my point to you is: IUPU in Fort Wayne IN has a 9 month program that converts 4 year degreed people into licensed teachers! And...it's at a much lower codst than their main campus! Hope this helps. I'm considering what you are considering too. Write me back and let me know what you're doing.

shalom · Feb 20, 2005

I'm an LPn, buty I have a B.S in management, amomg others, but my point to you is: IUPU in Fort Wayne IN has a 9 month program that converts 4 year degreed people into licensed teachers! And...it's at a much lower codst than their main campus! Hope this helps. I'm considering what you are considering too. Write me back and let me know what you're doing.

I would need to go some place in the city though. I havent decicded what to do yet. I would maybe like to teach CNA's or something.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Feb 20, 2005

Substitute teachers in my area are making ~$55.00 A DAY in my area. Why not ask to observe in a 6th grade classroom and meet with teachers to get a feel for teaching before you invest in another career?

After serving as a classroom aide while sons younger, I'll take the stress of nursing anyday thank you!

new career · Mar 8, 2005

I want teach 6th grade instead of nursing. I dont like nusring any more. Do anyone know about what education i need to teach. I have my BSN degree.Can I teach without a Master's degree?:)

How ironic! I have been in the field of education for 18 years and now I am looking to change fields and enter the nursing field. Chicago Public Schools has a wonderful program for people with Bachelors degrees in other fields to transition over to the field of education. However, I strongly suggest you substitute teach first. May I ask what made you decide to change careers?

Silverhawk · Mar 28, 2005

How ironic! I have been in the field of education for 18 years and now I am looking to change fields and enter the nursing field. Chicago Public Schools has a wonderful program for people with Bachelors degrees in other fields to transition over to the field of education. However, I strongly suggest you substitute teach first. May I ask what made you decide to change careers?

I strongly suggest you job shadow, and I mean every minute, three different nurses in three different settings, e.g. hospital med surg, LTC nursing home, redi med, etc. Why? A nurse is responsible for their routine stuff, like meds and Tx's plus if anything comes up, say an emergency, guess what, you still have to somehow get the other stuff done just as if it were a normal day. A nurse has to answer to EVERYONE! All the pts if they want help all at the same time, oh well. it's your a... er license. Drs, family, friends, housekeeping, management, other nurses, ... the list goes on. It's not like you can concentrate on a particular task, until it is done, and then go on to another one. Typically you are responsible for several tasks that have to be done now! Of course often they can't be, but guess what? You are still held over the fire for not getting it all done somehow. It's a no win situation. Damned if you do, and...

Sadie04 · Mar 28, 2005

I strongly suggest you job shadow, and I mean every minute, three different nurses in three different settings, e.g. hospital med surg, LTC nursing home, redi med, etc. Why? A nurse is responsible for their routine stuff, like meds and Tx's plus if anything comes up, say an emergency, guess what, you still have to somehow get the other stuff done just as if it were a normal day. A nurse has to answer to EVERYONE! All the pts if they want help all at the same time, oh well. it's your a... er license. Drs, family, friends, housekeeping, management, other nurses, ... the list goes on. It's not like you can concentrate on a particular task, until it is done, and then go on to another one. Typically you are responsible for several tasks that have to be done now! Of course often they can't be, but guess what? You are still held over the fire for not getting it all done somehow. It's a no win situation. Damned if you do, and...

Silverhawk, I find your description of hospital nursing to be very accurate (unfortunately). I have a BS in elementary education (certified K-8), then decided to get my BSN because the salary for teachers was pathetic. Although I now make twice as much as I made teaching, the stress level in the hospital I recently left was unbelievable. I left hospital nursing a few weeks ago for a position in the treatment room of an oncology practice, and so far am happy with my decision. I wouldn't go back to teaching though, the pay is so low. Maybe I'll be a school nurse someday :)

I know accelerated certification programs for teachers exist, as there is a demand for good teachers nationwide. Good luck!