Need advice re: leaving teaching to become a nurse...

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I am a high school science teacher (life science, physical science and environmental science) who has "burned out". There are several reasons for this. The new trend in schools is to shut down the self-contained units for the emotional/behavior disorder students and put them in the regular population. I have classes of about 30- 15 high needs special ed kids, 3 or 4 BD kids and the rest regular ed. I'm tired of breaking up fights, getting cussed out and assaulted. I'm tired of having to pay out of pocket for lab supplies. I'm tired of the stress headaches that make me feel like my skull is splitting. I'm tired of the dean allowing kids to skip out on administrative detention. I'm tired of the kids being allowed to come to class so high they can hardly walk and not paying any consequences. I'm tired of being blown off by my principal. I'm tired of teaching the test. I'm tired of being expected to take kids who were born and raised in drug-riddled abusive families and neighborhoods and turn them into Rhodes scholars who watch Masterpiece Theatre- and then being punished when I don't.

OK- sorry I'm starting to rant. I realize that nursing has its own problems. I'd like to hear some of your ideas and thoughts on what might be best. Would it be a huge mistake to become a nurse? What are your experiences?

BTW- I have worked in a corporate setting- I used to do DNA synthesis for a big biotech company. That was stressful- but not like this is!

Thanks!

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I think teaching and nursing are similiar. Nurses too get cussed out on a regular basis. However, if you make a mistake when you are a nurse you can lose your nursing license. I would not recommend nursing to anyone. However, I can understand how "teaching" can cause burn out too. Good luck with whatever you choose to do. :)

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I taught before I was a nurse. Give me a ward full of psychotic patients any day over a day full of middle school kids.

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I, too, was a teacher in a former life. I taught 4th grade until I "retired" to teach/raise my own brood at home (career # 2). I went back to school at age 40 for career #3 - nursing - and 10 years later, I have no regrets. Other of my classmates were leaving teaching for nursing, and some left nursing school to pursue teaching. IMHO, the caring/nurturing aspect is the same.

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Specializes in Nursing Education.
I am a high school science teacher (life science, physical science and environmental science) who has "burned out". There are several reasons for this. The new trend in schools is to shut down the self-contained units for the emotional/behavior disorder students and put them in the regular population. I have classes of about 30- 15 high needs special ed kids, 3 or 4 BD kids and the rest regular ed. I'm tired of breaking up fights, getting cussed out and assaulted. I'm tired of having to pay out of pocket for lab supplies. I'm tired of the stress headaches that make me feel like my skull is splitting. I'm tired of the dean allowing kids to skip out on administrative detention. I'm tired of the kids being allowed to come to class so high they can hardly walk and not paying any consequences. I'm tired of being blown off by my principal. I'm tired of teaching the test. I'm tired of being expected to take kids who were born and raised in drug-riddled abusive families and neighborhoods and turn them into Rhodes scholars who watch Masterpiece Theatre- and then being punished when I don't.

OK- sorry I'm starting to rant. I realize that nursing has its own problems. I'd like to hear some of your ideas and thoughts on what might be best. Would it be a huge mistake to become a nurse? What are your experiences?

BTW- I have worked in a corporate setting- I used to do DNA synthesis for a big biotech company. That was stressful- but not like this is!

Thanks!

First of all - welcome to allnurses. It is nice to have you and I hope you find this a very friendly place to hang out. In relationship to your question, there is always room for more nurses and I would certainly encourage you to explore the possibility. As a teacher, you already have more than enough education that the transition into nursing would not be painful or take a lot of time. There are so many different and unique possibilities when you become a nurse. Your options are wide open to you. With your educational background, you could teach nursing or you could go into research or work at the hospital or other clinical environments. If you desired more independence - you could become an advanced practice nurse or clinical specialist. There are amny avenues for you to choose. However, please remember that the grass is not always greener.

I am currently in school finishing my degrees so I can teach. I know first hand the challenges that you have in the classroom as my son is one of teh EH kids that was mainstreamed into regular classes. For him, the transition has been very positive, but there are many other kids that simply do not belong in regular classes as they disrupt the learning environment and everyone suffers. I can only imagine what it is like to be a teacher in this environment today and I applaud your commitment to your students. Being an educator in the public school system must be a thankless job.

Working as a nurse can have its thankless days, but there are many days that I leave the floor/hospital feeling like I accomplished something for someone and that is a nice feeling. Conversly, there are days when I leave and all I do for the entire time I am home is re-think the day and try to console myself that I did not miss medications and I gave the patients everything they needed.

Good luck with your decision and please know that if you decide to come on over and become a nurse, we are here for you. Take care.

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I taught before I was a nurse. Give me a ward full of psychotic patients any day over a day full of middle school kids.

AMEN!!!! With a ward of psychotic patients, at least you can stick a 1.5 inch needle in their rear to help enhance their calm. In a classroom of 30 littered with delinquents, sociopaths, brats, and thugs you are the one who is taking it to the rear.

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