then again, maybe not

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Before reading various posts on this site, I was seriously considering a career change from secondary education to nursing. However, after reading the many complaints ranging from grossly inadequate pay to vicious, on-the-job competition and back-stabbing coworkers, I think maybe not. Any comments or advice? Thanks.

Specializes in Med-Surg.
Thank you all for replying. Each comment was helpful. The BSN program I am considering is a one year second degree bachelor's. Cost is about $22,000 dollars for a January to January series of classes which is a lot for my family right now. One other complication is that I am in my early 50's - kind of old to go back to college for a bachelor's. However, my kids are in college so I have the time. I had almost decided to apply but then read some of the posts on this site. I would love to do something worthwhile, something actually useful, and something less chaotic and more disciplined than teaching which would provide a decent salary and in which I could progress through more education.

Thanks again for the comments.

Good luck to you. I think you will do great. I'm struck by your statement that you're looking for something less chaotic and more disciplined. That wouldn't be my job. LOL.

Seriously, best of luck to you.

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Who wouldn't shy away from the field when you have people openly laughing in your face right on this very thread. SAD :angryfire

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Who wouldn't shy away from the field when you have people openly laughing in your face right on this very thread. SAD :angryfire

I dont feel anyone is laughing in the op's face. people are giving there opinion

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I don't think your age should deter you. But, if you are looking for unchaotic or less stressful, I don't know if nursing really fits. I actually have two coworkers who have gone back to school to become teachers to find a "less stressful" job:) I suppose it would depend on what type of nursing you do, but most nurses I know would definitely describe it as high stress. I just think the rewards outweigh the drawbacks.

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Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

You take the good with the bad in every job...the trick is that the bad is usually discussed more, only because people strive to overcome it with advice from their peers..and no place better than nursing!

If you want to make a career change...try to find a hospital that will let you shadow a nurse to see if this is what you wish to do! And never forget that nursing isn't the only option in healthcare! Even I have dabbled with the idea of changing to utrasound/MRI tech...or Respiratory therapist!

The nice thing about healtcare and even nursing is you can find jobs that suit your individual skills and desires! Yeah...sometimes we complain..but what service oriented profession doesn't have their ups and downs...just our UPs are monumental!!!!!!!

Good luck with your choice!

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Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry.
Before reading various posts on this site, I was seriously considering a career change from secondary education to nursing. However, after reading the many complaints ranging from grossly inadequate pay to vicious, on-the-job competition and back-stabbing coworkers, I think maybe not. Any comments or advice? Thanks.

You have to understand that many nurses and nursing students use this awesome site to vent. It is one of the most therapeutic places to do it in. Have you read the other posts about what nurses find satisfying in their line of work? Those are absolutely wonderful posts and threads that may give you another point of view on nursing.

Also, there are many jobs in which the pay is inadequate and the competition is ridiculous. I work in a theme park and just to become a supervisor, you have to be one of the biggest "brown-nosers" in the world. Many people, myself included, have been victimized by having people who we thought we could trust, back-stab us just so they could get that awesome raise of .23 cents!!!

Nursing is a career that is not immune to back-stabbings and competitions. However, it is one of the most satisfying careers you could ever become a part of. Do a little bit more research and see if it can help ease your decision. Good luck.

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I dont feel anyone is laughing in the op's face. people are giving there opinion

REALLY? Though these aren't directed to the OP, they are directed at someone in a similar situation.

Good for you. Please come back and tell us how things are going when you have been working at the bedside for a while.

:roll

LOL!!! I was thinking the same thing.

I had (note the word "had" LOL) a friend who is an RN that while preggers she explained to me that there would always be one rule in her home. She gets one hour to herself daily. No kids, no screaming, no whining, no "I'm booooooored," no "I'm HUNGRY!" She'd have none of that!

She promised herself she would get one hour daily to herself and that's just the way it would be.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Big dreams, such little bubbles to pop.

Pretty encouraging, huh? I'm sure the OP wanted realistic facts and honest opinions, but I'm equally as sure that any of us trying to make a life-changing decision (like becoming a nurse) could really do without the sarcasm and ridicule.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

From EVERYONE that is, correct?

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Specializes in NICU.

Check out the stickey "Poll: What do you love about the NICU" (I think that's the title anyway) at the top of the Neonatal Intensive Care forum. This is specific to that specialty, but it also gives a positive note to nursing from some people who wouldn't trade their job for the world. I know there are more threads out there like that, but I am familiar with that one. Every time I get worried that I won't be able to make it in nursing, I scan that thread and think to myself, "I could be one of these people some day" - that always seals the deal to me.

Best of luck to you in whatever you decide. There are hard parts of every career, so do what you want to do. ;) I work at Social Services and we recently got a new child protection worker - she was a previous teacher (she's 57) and said she couldn't handle the stress of teaching, so she changed jobs. My Dad is a teacher so I've seen that job up close and personal - between the two, I think that child protection would be much more stressful - that just goes to show that it is all how you interpret it. My only advice is to follow your heart - if it is truly what you want, then you will love it, even in the "down" times. ;)

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

How about you shadow and really interview some live nurses to find out if this is for you??? Good luck.

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.
Before reading various posts on this site, I was seriously considering a career change from secondary education to nursing. However, after reading the many complaints ranging from grossly inadequate pay to vicious, on-the-job competition and back-stabbing coworkers, I think maybe not. Any comments or advice? Thanks.

From what I'm learning every day about "other types of jobs", EVERY job comes with its own abuse, back-stabbing, on-the-job competition, vicious behavior, and grossly inadequate pay. Should we all just stay home, and not work? Or get out there and fight to survive? This world we live in is a "dog eat dog" society. And that's the bare truth of it all. :rotfl:

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I LOVE my nursing job! And I like to vent from time to time. I am WELL paid...but I would like more. I love my co-workers and sometimes want to wring their necks. I am well respected but sometimes get yelled at. There is little out there that is as versatile as nursing. Nursing is one of the most respected professions. Enjoy this site but don't mistake venting for job dissatisfaction.

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