Nicu nurse or elementary school teacher

cayenne06, MSN, CNM · Apr 6, 2014

To me, it seems like you have been pursuing your dream of working in a NICU for a loooong time you. You've invested a lot of time and energy on your way to this goal. Nursing school is not that bad. You can definitely do it and have time for your family. It's not easy, but if you love it (which it sounds like you really do), you will get through it.

A word of caution though- the NICU is very selective. You have to be okay with working in other specialties, because it might take years for you to get into a NICU or PICU.

Just think- you go through 2 years of nursing school, then maybe you could find a full time job working 3 12hr shifts a week- think of how much time you would be able to spend with your family! And plenty of freedom to pursue your BSN online :)

eta- I don't often try to pursuade people to pursue nursing. It's a demanding job, and the market is tough for new graduates. It's certainly not easy money or guaranteed employment. But you seem like one of those people who truly has a passion for nursing. So I think you should go for it!

sadiemae1123 · Apr 6, 2014

You should really look in the job market in your area to help make your decision. Is there a hospital nearby with a NICU? What are their hiring practices? Do they hire new grads? How do they feel about ASN nurses? Will they expect you to go back for more school to get a BSN? Would you be willing to move to get the job you wanted? If not, would you be willing to work with another population (adults, older kids, med/surg, LTC, etc) knowing it might be years, if ever, you get to work in the NICU? How do you feel about working nights, holidays, weekends, or mandatory overtime? I'm not saying any of this to discourage you, but these are issues you should consider before making a career choice.

You could take the time you have off to find work as a substitute teacher or teacher's aid to see how you feel about that environment and how it will fit into your lifestyle. You could look into what it takes to be a special education teacher in your area since many NICU babies have developmental or learning disabilities. Of course you should also look into how hard it would be to find a job in your area as a teacher as well. The pay will probably be less than an RN, it may be difficult to get on the tenure track, and they may want you to have at least a Master's degree.

You can use the time time you have off from school to investigate these things, as well as take a trip to the career counselor at your school. You might want to look into any things that might give you an edge over the competition, like learning a second language during this time as well.

You need to decide if your passion lies with being a nurse - which will only be realized by becoming a nurse. Or, do you have a passion for helping this particular population - which can be done as a nurse, respiratory therapist, physical therapist, speech therapist, occupational therapist, social worker, teacher, or many other career paths. Only you can decide this.

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Apr 6, 2014

You have spent quite a long time working toward becoming a nurse. For you to switch gears and become a teacher is a noble cause, but it's also going to cause you to spend a lot of time studying and the like. You'll first have to earn a degree and then you'll probably be looking at about another year of post-grad teacher training, including student teaching before you can earn your teaching credential. Here's the other issue: if you become a teacher, you will have to find someone to watch your child 5 days per week, every week while you're teaching, unless you manage to get a job-share gig, at least until your child gets into school, hopefully the same one you teach at.

As a nurse, you'll get to work (usually) 3 days per week, and the rest of the time, you're able to be with your family. I would say that you will probably be able to have more time with your family working as a nurse and you'll probably make more money as a nurse than you would as a teacher, unless you work relatively minimal hours as a nurse.

NicuGal, MSN, RN · Apr 6, 2014

I agree with much of the above. In my area all the hospitals with NICUs hire BSN only. Also, the job market is tight for the NICUs as they usually have a low turn over so would have to take a job on another unit.

Do a little research and then see how you feel :)

jackieruiz · Apr 7, 2014

Thank you so much you guys for all the great advice=). I greatly appreciate all of your input. If I do persue nursing, I do plan on continuing my education to receive my BSN. I might even get a master's. I am open to other specialties like pediatrics or even geriatrics. I don't mind a little competition to get into the NICU either. In my area, there are three hospitals with NICUs and I don't mind driving a bit of a distance to another hospital. I never thought that being a teacher would take more time away from my family than a nurse would. But I will admit, that it would take me twice as long just to finish my pre reqs to transfer to a university for teaching, than it would for me to get my nursing classes done.

bell1962 · Apr 10, 2014

Definitely check out the job prospects in your area. Around here they get won't even look at you for a teaching job with out your Masters and they get 200-300 applicants for every elem teaching job that opens. My daughter has a a degree in Elem ed but luckily her Masters is in special ed and there are more special ed jobs available and she was lucky to get one soon after graduation. It's a tough job market for sure. I know getting a job in nursing is not easy either but around here it is a little easier. I see you do realize you would probably have to work in other areas before/if you get a NICU job. I'm basically saying , as others have said, do your research and then make whatever decision is right for you.

bell1962 · Apr 10, 2014

One other thing to consider is that teachers generally have to work on lesson plans, IEP's , grade students' work, and other things outside of the school day, which takes more time away from your family. At least, for the most part nurses can leave work at work.

babyNP., APRN · Apr 11, 2014

The thing about teachers (and my husband is one) is that the work never ever ends. After school there are kids to help, comments to write quarterly, lesson planning, and homework grading, not to mention parents calling you. The lifestyle of a teacher really sucks. My husband comes home from school by 4pm and then works another 2-3 hours and then puts in 4-5 hours each weekend day. At least with nursing, you do your shifts and you're done, no more, no worries. You don't take it home with you.

Plus I make almost twice as much as he does...

LucyRn4 · Apr 21, 2014

Just a side note, not ALL hospitals hire only experienced rns for NICU's. I got in as a new grad.