Kindergarten Teacher or RN?

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Hi there,

I'm having trouble deciding if nursing is what I really want to do with my life. I've taken all the pre-reqs for the nursing programs for the CSU's I'll be applying to. I'll be applying this fall(2013)for fall(2014). I spent 3 years worth of classes and I'm taking a CNA course right now so I can get some experience for a year before I go to nursing school. The CSU programs are really hard to get into, i have about a 3.6 general GPA and 3.8 in pre reqs. I'd also have work experience(CNA), and I'm taking the TEAS in a couple months, so I'm not sure how my chances look.

I've always had teaching in the back of my mind since I was a teenager. I've always loved kids and I've done and still do a lot of babysitting. If I did become a teacher it would either be preschool or kindergarten. I just have so much passion for kids and I really want to see them succeed. I've always had a gut feeling about teaching, but I never chose to study it because I felt like I was settling. Like i wouldn't be challenging myself enough. By no means am I saying teaching is easy, just that I like to really push myself and I feel with teaching I wouldn't really be reaching my fullest potential.

However, after being in this CNA class, I've learned a lot and I'm not sure if being an RN is really something I can handle. I don't do well under pressure, but once I get accustomed to the job, I'm determined to stick with it. It could be because I'm only half done with the CNA course and we haven't even started clinicals yet. I may also be feeling a little nervous about starting a CNA job because its all new to me and I don't know after a couple months how I will be feeling. But, I do like to really take care of people. Whether its kids, adults, elderly, I like people and I love talking and sharing and helping them. I know that's a typical thing to say for nursing students but it gives me great satisfaction after seeing the joy on someone's face that I've helped them. Obviously, nursing isn't going to be smiles and laughter every day, but I feel like it's worth the bad experiences or aggravating patients and long hours to make someones day or save a life.

I want to figure this out soon because I need to know if I should sign up for more classes regarding teaching, sign up for my TEAS test, etc. If anyone has any advice or has gone through something similar, I would really appreciate it.

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You know I fought a similar mental battle while doing my pre req's. I struggled to keep my GPA up and I knew the local program was very difficult to get into and had my student advisor tell me "you'll never get into nursing school, pick a different major" I was deflated and sad. I really juggled "nurse.... History teacher" I sat down and wrote out the pros and cons of both. I prayed and talked to friends and family. I opened up my newspaper one day and on the third page there was a 1"x2" ad for another school in town starting a brand new BSN nursing program. I applied that day. That was around 3 years ago, I am 22 months into a 27 month program and will graduate with honors and in the international nursing honor society in Dec. has it been easy? Nope. Have I questioned my choice? Yep, one of my classmates gives me a hard time because she followed me after a lab check off one day and through the door heard me ask my professor if she had ever questioned her decision to be a nurse. I've been scared, overwhelmed, cried, gained 40#, forgotten what my kid has looked like at times, but you know what..... The first time I watched a baby born, the first tiny preemie baby I held, my first pediatric patient, my first blood draw, catheter..... They have been amazing, wonderful and worth it. I can't wait to be a nurse, I can't wait to write that RN after my name. Only you can decide what your future will be, but if you decide to be a nurse you will make a difference in someone's life every single day. Good Luck!

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Hi there,

I'm having trouble deciding if nursing is what I really want to do with my life. I've taken all the pre-reqs for the nursing programs for the CSU's I'll be applying to. I'll be applying this fall(2013)for fall(2014). I spent 3 years worth of classes and I'm taking a CNA course right now so I can get some experience for a year before I go to nursing school. The CSU programs are really hard to get into, i have about a 3.6 general GPA and 3.8 in pre reqs. I'd also have work experience(CNA), and I'm taking the TEAS in a couple months, so I'm not sure how my chances look.

I've always had teaching in the back of my mind since I was a teenager. I've always loved kids and I've done and still do a lot of babysitting. If I did become a teacher it would either be preschool or kindergarten. I just have so much passion for kids and I really want to see them succeed. I've always had a gut feeling about teaching, but I never chose to study it because I felt like I was settling. Like i wouldn't be challenging myself enough. By no means am I saying teaching is easy, just that I like to really push myself and I feel with teaching I wouldn't really be reaching my fullest potential.

However, after being in this CNA class, I've learned a lot and I'm not sure if being an RN is really something I can handle. I don't do well under pressure, but once I get accustomed to the job, I'm determined to stick with it. It could be because I'm only half done with the CNA course and we haven't even started clinicals yet. I may also be feeling a little nervous about starting a CNA job because its all new to me and I don't know after a couple months how I will be feeling. But, I do like to really take care of people. Whether its kids, adults, elderly, I like people and I love talking and sharing and helping them. I know that's a typical thing to say for nursing students but it gives me great satisfaction after seeing the joy on someone's face that I've helped them. Obviously, nursing isn't going to be smiles and laughter every day, but I feel like it's worth the bad experiences or aggravating patients and long hours to make someones day or save a life.

I want to figure this out soon because I need to know if I should sign up for more classes regarding teaching, sign up for my TEAS test, etc. If anyone has any advice or has gone through something similar, I would really appreciate it.

Both are admirable trades. Only you can decide what you want to do with your life. Do you want to mold young impressionable minds and help start them out on their pathway to academia? Or do you want to help care for and provide comfort to people who are sick or injured? The RN salary will likely be more impressive but money is not the only consideration. It's best to make less money and enjoy what you are doing verses making more money and not enjoying your profession.

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Also, I'm a Professional Instructor now. I've been teaching adults Aviation classes since 1995. I won't post my exact salary, but its in the six figure range. My wife is a RN and I know what she makes..... I'm currently in school attempting to get into a Nursing Program. Like you, I question myself, but something is pulling me in that direction that I can't really explain. My thought process right now is get in, finish, and work weekends and evenings while keeping my current job. At some point after that I can decide.

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I've done my share of informally teaching children from kindergarten- 8th grade. I can tell you just from my own experience that teaching is not an easy job. If you truly believe that teaching is where you belong, go for it! Just like we need nurses who are passionate about their job, we need teachers who are passionate about their job as well. Only you can decide what is right for you, and gaining exposure to each profession will help you with your experience. Good luck to you!

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I considered becoming a kindergarten/preschool teacher vs. nursing, too. I guess the reason was because my kindergarten teacher made such a positive impression on me (I still remember her, some classmates, and things we did (she was pregnant and every day she would measure her belly to show us how fast her little baby was growing; I, as a 6ish year old, loved that because I was so curious. Kids that age are curious about everything and I'm glad she embraced that)) that I wanted to do the same. Deep down, though, I knew teaching wasn't for me and that nursing was the only thing that would make me happy. Since around that young age, I've always been drawn to the medical field. I get excited about nursing. It's my niche. It's where my heart belongs. I'm not a nurse yet, but when I get licensed, I want to work in the labor and delivery unit. Babies are my thing lol. Nothing makes my heart melt more than babies. I'm thinking that when I have kids of my own, I (hopefully) won't be that paranoid mom that takes her babies to the pediatrician for everything lmao. I'll be able to remain nonchalant and know what to do for them as their personal nurse for when they hurt themselves, get sick, whatever. Nursing is such an invaluable skill to have.

So, I suggest what everyone else has and just go where your heart leads because at the end of the day, are you going to be worried about your potential or your happiness? And you know, you're young yet, try one and if you find it isn't what you thought it would be or you're not content, try the other. You've got plenty of time.

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I will be the more practical person. Yes the job market sucks for new grads as a nurse, but it is easier to get a job as a new nurse than a teacher. I think the teaching programs are outpacing demand. At least that's how it seems to be in my area.

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I bounced back between the two, too. Both are incredibly important and rewarding. What about being a school nurse? Or if you were a nurse and did extra stuff on the side at schools. You could be a pediatric nurse or even work at a children's hospital. Being an RN has a lot more duties than being a CNA so if it's the gross stuff scaring you, just know it won't always be like that!

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I know I'm late to the conversation (...by three years), but I wanted to post anyway for anyone who has a similar question. I'm a current elementary teacher looking to switching into nursing. I would say go ahead and continue with the nursing program try out the field and then you can always go back to school to become a teacher if you do not like nursing. Since you will already have a bachelor's degree, you most likely will not have to do a 4-year program. Making the switch while still in school is a tough decision, but I would try out the career first before switching to a totally different field. There could be a nursing course that motivates you and brings back your desire to become a nurse! Good luck! :)

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