New to website any suggestions about teacher who wants to become a nurse

gentle · Dec 3, 2008

Tchrtonse,

Hello, welcome to allnurses. Glad that you could join us. Honestly, the choices are yours to make and enjoy. You may want to begin your decision making process with the end in mind. For example, have you considered how you will adequately financially and emotionally support yourself and or family during this time of transition.

If you are financially stable for the most part and just want to push on through, then perhaps the BSN track would be the best place for you to start. Again, keeping in mind that your end goal is FNP.

If you prefer to take a bit more time moving through all the challenges, then why not go the LPN or ADN route first. Perhaps you could work as a school nurse while completing your BSN. We have all sorts of sick kiddos who still attend school, where I live. (Due to the various illnesses, some of the schools are required to have nurses on campus at all times.) This will keep you close to kids and allow you to educate both parents and teachers/staff regarding childhood illnesses etc.

I'm not to sure about Tennessee but I think ADNs tend to make a bit more money and have more options than LPNs here on the West Coast. That stated, the hospital where I work utilizes LPNs from agencies just as much as BSNs or ADNs. It all depends on the needs of the units.

So again, the choice is up to you. One thing I would caution you against though is spending too much time in private duty positions. You just won't get the depth of knowledge/understanding/wisdom exposure that you would in a nursing home or hospital. I am always and will always be the nurse encouraging newcomers to get a firm foundation in acute care settings first. Then you after you have grown in understanding, knowledge, and wisdom you will be able to more safely branch out to where-ever your little heart takes you.

Best wishes.

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Dec 3, 2008

I was in a similar position as yours. I chose an accelerated BSN because the opportunity cost of being out of work dwarfed any consideration of the program expenses. That was a long time ago and there are now far more flexible RN routes so look around.

Be aware that nursing is 24/7 and working weekends/holidays/nights goes with the turf. I've known many people to make the teaching/nursing transition and that was one thing that they all said was hard. They knew it intellectually but didn't really grasp the impact until they lived it. Also, they really had a hard time giving up summers off/generous school vacation leave. I worked full time as an RN for 10 years before I got more than 2 weeks off a year.

As a career changer with advanced (pre-RN) degrees, I was surprised by how little my prior education mattered once I became an RN. No one cared in terms of hiring or using my other skills; nursing and nursing education was all that counted. I found that a bit walled off but that is very much the nursing world.

Best wishes to you in your path ahead!

jjjoy, LPN · Dec 3, 2008

I'm wondering what your main motivation is to make such a major career change.

You successfully completed the education for teaching and successfully made the transition to become a competent full-time teacher. In addition to that, you have additional education above and beyond that required to teach (master's, etc). I'm wondering if perhaps you're one of those who enjoys learning a vocation more than practicing a vocation. I'm one of them, so I'm not criticizing! Once I get to the point of feeling competent in a job (a few years), I start to feel restless and want some new challenge.

I was a second bachelor's nursing student and loved learning all about different diseases and treatments and getting first hand exposure to different medical settings. But once I was out of school, I realized that I wasn't that interested in *practicing* nursing. I hated floor nursing and ended up working in a more administrative capacity for a health program. I enjoy what I do now, but I don't practice nursing. The background in health that nursing provided me with has been very valuable. I just wonder if I could've gotten here on another path. I still find the *idea* of practicing nursing very appealing - and fiercely admire those who do practice! - but if I'm honest with myself, I know that it's not something I want to do day in and day out, year after year, good days and bad days.

You chose a field you love - working with kids. And now you've attained the sought after goal of becoming a teacher. You got a teaching job and have survived the crucial first year. It sounds like you survived intact and wouldn't mind continuing teaching - except for this itch about nursing. You've made it past all the major hurdles to establish a career in teaching and now you've got this itch to start all over again in a new field.

My point is this, go into nursing because you want to *practice* nursing. Otherwise, if you're feeling unsatisfied with your current work, look for ways to use the experience & education you already have to build a more satisfying career for yourself. Maybe you can look into teaching hospitalized kids. Or developing curriculums for health education.

Just thoughts!!! Best wishes to you and YOUR life and choices!!!

lifesacomedy · Dec 3, 2008

Quite obviously, no one can tell you what is 'best,' but I can tell you what I did. I too was a teacher (HS Sped) with most of my Masters in Special Education as well as a certificate in Positive Behavior Support when I chose to switch gears.

I had the same struggles and ultimately am very pleased with my decision. I took my year and a half of pre-reqs at the local Community College and went straight through full time to avoid spending too much time and money.

I ultimately decided that the accelerated BSN wasn't for me because I needed to continue to work (very part time, but still needed to put in SOME hours) while getting through school. The Acc-BSN in my area did not allow for that. I also applied to two different ADN programs and the BSN program. I was accepted to one ADN program too far away from home but given a lot of scholarship money if I had chosen to go.

I was also accepted into the local BSN program which is the choice I made. And am so happy that I did.

I too am interested in getting some floor nursing experience, then returning to school for Advanced Practice Nursing (maybe CRNA?), so this is the best decision for me. I want my first few years as a nurse to be focused only on Nursing without trying to figure out how to sqeeze in those last few classes of the BSN. And it is only taking me one additional semester. It is worth the additional money to me. But that's just me.

Let me know if you have any questions and best of luck!

TCHRTONURS · Dec 4, 2008

Thanks to all who replied! I would like to say it is a misconception about that big break in the summer. Most of the teachers have to get a job and there is no break. I know some holidays will be missed but I really love the aspect of nursing. This really wasn't a certain career change and I do love to teach. I really want to be a nurse who treats, diagnose, and educate. I see nurses as an educators. I do want to eventually be a FNP and work in an underserved population. I want to educate those who don't know how to keep healthy and treat those patients with illnesses. I am a caregiver also to the elderly. My mom and I have our own business providing care and companionshop to the elderly. I would also like to say I love science and also have a minor in it. Before I became a CNA in high school and feel in love with it. I am not trying to change my career just a different way of educating. Educating is my life!

jjjoy, LPN · Dec 4, 2008

Being a nurse could certainly be an asset to your business!

Just FYI - Working for a couple of years in a hospital is highly recommended by many. That's partly because unless nursing schools go back to the old model of using students as free labor, nursing students simply don't get enough hands-on time during school to become skilled practitioners. The license is the minimum to get *started* in one's practice. Also, the majority of readily available nursing jobs are in acute care where patient education can be quite spotty. After all, the nurse has several patients to take care of at any one time and hospital stays are so short these days! In primary care, practitioners are often rushed to see more patients and so can't put as much time into patient education as one would hope. What I'm trying to say is that one may have to put their time in a less than ideal working environment in order to gain the skills necessary to branch out - such as providing care to underserved areas.

I hope my comments aren't taken as a bucket of cold water on your thoughts. There ARE opportunities out there for nurses to do the kinds of things it looks like you are interested in, especially if one is very self-motivated! And it sounds like you are! You most certainly are talented and knowledgable to be able to succeed in the many arenas you've been in across the spectrum from teaching children to eldercare! FNPs have the ability to work across the lifespan and that may be just the ticket for you!

TCHRTONURS · Dec 4, 2008

I wouldn't mind working in the hospital. I was a volunteer at a major hospital and got to see first hand what nurses do besides my best friend sister is a Nurse at Vandy. I really wouldn't want to start out being a FNP without some years under my belt. It just like I wouldn't want to be principal unless I taught for awhile. I have thought about the Vandy program but it costs to much. I am kind of scared of doing a program like this because of loan repayment and lack of experience. I am excited about the possibilities but it will take time. I would probably take the longest route lpn-rn-rnbrigdge-fnp. I must admit I love to learn and gamed for whatever it takes.

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Dec 4, 2008

I in no way meant to imply that all teachers only work 9 months a year and do nothing else. I have too many in my family to ever say that. However, I do believe that often teachers have far more breaks in their schedule than other professions, even if they do take a different job in the summer. All of the teachers-to-nurses that I know have told me that this was something they hadn't fully reckoned with in nursing.

I've had nursing jobs where vacations were canceled due to patient load. I was once scheduled to work 23 nights in a row because they "couldn't find someone". I've had jobs willing to pay me out my vacation rather than give me a night off. It's just different and that's all I was trying to share.

I had an amazing accelerated BSN experience but I know not all programs are the same. Look at what your needs are and ask every program that's reasonable to where you live as to what their options are. Had what's out there been available to me in 1986I'd probably have gone the Associate Degree route. If your goal is NP, then ask the programs in your region what their requirements are. Some do still require a BSN for entry even if you have other advanced degrees.

Best wishes to you!

TCHRTONURS · Dec 4, 2008

Quickbeam,

I wasn't implying that is what you said. I do understand we do have more breaks but by the time we get it's needed. I will take your advice and begin my search.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Dec 4, 2008

TCHRTONRS,

Congratulations on your decision. I know how hard it is to make a mid-career 'correction'. My first degree was in journalism.

Granted, I may a little biased, because I am one - but have you considered becoming a nurse educator? We have a dire shortage of qualified educators and it is predicted to get much worse. Educators work in both academic settings and in 'service' or workplace settings. I am one of the latter.

I absolutely love my job. It enables me to make a real difference in patient care through development & support of the direct care givers. It also pays waaaaay better than academia.

Just a thought.