Is this a sign?

[laski]

I've posted before about my dilemma (so please be patient with me if this is repetitive:D ), but here is the quick and not-so-dirty . . .

I applied to nursing school, was accepted and was preparing to start this fall. Then, about a month ago I was given the opportunity to teach an intro to teaching college course w/ the possibility of receiving full funding toward a Ph.D. in Education (my undergrad is English, my M.Ed. in Education). I thought and thought and decided I needed to give it a try since I couldn't imagine NOT at least attempting to use my previous degree. Plus, I figured the chance to teach college students was a sign that perhaps this was the direction I was to take. However, I didn't want to give up on nursing school so I visited with the director, who was absolutely amazing and so incredibly encouraging, and decided to hold off one year (having a 2 and 4-year-old made it a little easier--perhaps an extra year before the rigors of nursing school wouldn't hurt).

THEN . . .

I received an E-MAIL from the chair of the department stating they were canceling my class--no teaching. No opportunity. In his message he cited the "negative view on the teaching profession" for the drop in enrollments. I was strangely not THAT disappointed. I still have the option of applying and receiving full funding, but I was relying on teaching this term so that I could figure out if this was the direction I wanted to pursue.

Before, when I was still planning on teaching the course, I was working on the syllabus and planning my term, but I found myself perusing these forums and still trying to figure out if I could take some more of the non-nursing courses. Not sure if I was covering my bases or maybe I just really DO want to go the nursing route.

The moment I received the e-mail canceling my class I logged on to a college where I had been taking pre-reqs and signed up for microbiology. I have only three more NON-nursing classes to take (2nd A&P, Nutrition, Stats). What does that say?

Now, I wonder if this is a sign (not that I'm all into signs, but still . . . ) that I need to forgo the Ph.D. and focus my energies on prepping for nursing school next fall (I am still certain that holding off one year is a good idea considering my little ones) OR if I should still apply for the Ph.D., take the GRE and see what happens. Insight? Advice?

I am going to say this again, this has got to be one of the most informative, supportive groups around. I wonder if it is just this forum, nurses in general, the types of people who are drawn to nursing . . . whatever it is, I value the opinions, advice, and info each of you has to offer.

[Jackfackmasta, ASN, RN]

You seemed blessed with many opportunities in life that come up. Just follow your heart. You seem to want to do nursing but rely on opportunities coming up as signs as to what u are to do in life. Just do what you love and are passionate about and everything else will play out.

You can always combine teaching and nursing by becoming a nurse educator/professor. One of my professors wanted to be a teacher originally but got cancer second hand smoking from her father and had a trach at 18 y/o. They told her she couldn't be a teacher so she became a nurse and now teachers nursing students and is a FNP

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

I don't know how old you are, but you have certainly accomplished a lot already. I had no intention of ever being a nurse. Worked for the phone company for 20 years.

One never knows where life will ultimately lead them. No education is ever wasted. Follow opportunities and since you seem to like school continue taking classes as you can.

Long story, short, due to circumstances beyond my control (Gods control maybe), I ended up going to nursing school, at the tender age of 44.

Best thing that ever happened to me. Love being a nurse.

I do believe in signs, but I usuallly see them after the fact, confirming that a choice I made was good.

Good luck in all your endeavors and keep expanding your knowledge and your world.

[laski]

jackfackmasta--you are so right. I do not discount my opportunities at all. I am so fortunate. When it comes to following my heart, I am in the position of being faced with two careers that are very similar--they both involve helping others. I could easily make solid arguments for pursuing either one.

You mention teaching--which is something I am seriously considering pursuing if nursing is my ultimate choice. It is encouraging to know that by choosing nursing I won't have to give up teaching . . . and the anecdote you shared about your professor is inspiring.

Thanks so much for the response.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I think you should follow your heart. It sounds like you want to be a nurse and you want to teach.....become a nurse then teach. Have the best of both worlds. I'm from around there originally....you're either a teacher, a nurse, a doctor, mechanic or coal miner........I say be a nurse then teach or if the Prof. opportunity returns...teach then be a nurse. If you have the money to pay for this I'd go for your dreams.....good luck

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

If you are planning to be a nurse I would say you would want more than "a sign". Things come up all the time...what if in your first semester of nursing school you get "a sign" that you should be a plumber? You are an adult. If you are working as a nurse and your patient codes I hope you wouldn't think that is "a sign" that they should die. It is up to you. Make the decision. Then hit it hard. Indecision is a decision. A decision to do nothing or do whatever you want. Being a nurse is hard. It is exhausting. It can be brutal on your body (night shifts, on your feet 12 hours, 350 pound patients). I would forget "the sign" and research your decisions. Education and information will take you a lot farther than a coincidence. just my opinion.

[leslie :-D]

not only do i believe you should pursue nursing at this time in your life, i also believe that doing so would result in opportunities and experiences for when you do return for your PhD, and need to write your thesis.

leslie

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I have a BS in education and I wanted to be an elementary school or middle school teacher. I kept getting "signs" that it wasn't meant to be, and that nursing WAS meant to be. While I fought them, I made no progress in finding my future. When I let go and paid attention, doors opened for me that I didn't realize were there.

Over and over in my life, when I've let go and paid attention, things have kind of dropped in my lap. Maybe that's how it will be with you?

I became a nurse and teach nursing now. It's what was meant to be for me.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

How much do you value weekends, regular hours, not being elbow deep in poop, psycho family members in your face, having a say in how people talk to you, holidays, snarky co-workers (that's everywhere), having to work past the drama to figure out the problem, no concern over your own personal health (get dinged for using sick days that are "benefits"), etc.... Seriously.

I lucked out- I liked it (go figure ). But if getting into the crap of people's lives isn't your thing- go education. Good luck :)

[llg, PhD, RN]

I'm in the "follow your heart" camp. Figure out what kind of work you want to do ... then make a plan to do it.

Don't rely on magical, supernatural thinking to determine such an important decision in your life. There will aways be events that can be interpreted as "signs" pointing in one direction or another. You will always face obstacles that can be interpreted either as challenges to be overcome or signs that you shouldn't be heading in that direction. I'm sure you will be able to find an equal number of "signs" to avoid nursing school if you choose to look for them.

Decide what kind of work you want to do ... and choose your path accordingly. Then take full responsibility for having made that choice -- for both the positive and negative results of that choice.

Good luck to regardless of what you decide.

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

How much do you value weekends, regular hours, not being elbow deep in poop, psycho family members in your face, having a say in how people talk to you, holidays, snarky co-workers (that's everywhere), having to work past the drama to figure out the problem, no concern over your own personal health (get dinged for using sick days that are "benefits"), etc.... Seriously.

I lucked out- I liked it (go figure ). But if getting into the crap of people's lives isn't your thing- go education. Good luck :)

I think Education probably has its share of "getting into the crap of people's lives". Probably not as much as Nursing does, though.

OP - I have no idea what to tell you but I do understand about you wanting signs. I will pray for you to be able to make a clear decision soon. Do let us know, will you, what you decide.

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

Are you aware of the problem in college education re the glut of Phd's in liberal arts and the two tier wage system where only a privileged minority get tenured postions with decent pay and benefits and the majority are stuck in untenured low wage with little benefits if any. Heard it can actually be less than the minimum wage because they are paying teachers by the class vs hr, convenient way to short change workers!

There was the case in Alabama last year where a math professor was denied tenure awaiting several years and then shot down and killed alot of coworkers in an angry rage!

If you have an English degree and MA education, wouldn't it be easier and more practical to work in the public school system (children-teens). Granted some public schools are cutting back due to poor local and state budgets, but if you can get a public school job you can have good pay pay and incredible benefits, pension, health insurance way beyond the national average. Not to mention the to die for quality of life; weekends off, no holidays, Christmas, spring break and summers off!

Why spend even more time and money to go into nursing when you could get a decent job now to support yourself and your family. Unless this is just a hobby and you don't need to make a living wage and that is very few of us I would think.

I would say the majority of nurses work under stressful, less than ideal working conditions and forget about having your weekends, holidays and summers off.