Nursing Vs. Teaching

roser13, ASN, RN · Apr 24, 2016

I believe that only you, your family members (who know you), and your primary physicians (who know the status of your health) should be involved in your decision-making process.

Internet strangers have no way of determining the best course for you.

dishes, BSN, RN · Apr 24, 2016

Teachers and nurses both have stressful working condition, if you are going to make taking care of your health a priority, consider choosing a low stress career, such as school librarian.

Ashbeelee · Apr 24, 2016

Thank you for the feedback!

Lisa.fnp · Apr 24, 2016

You feelings and anxiety are real. Something to think about. Classes are harder as you go, if going back to school you will not only have more invested with your time and money but you health. Only you can answer what you can do. If going back-to-back don't go at it alone get a mentor and a study partner. Having support will make your journey easier.

nutella, MSN, RN · Apr 24, 2016

Hi everyone :)
I am stuck in a big situation and need to make a decision. I have been going back and forth between continuing my nursing education and enter back into my RN program, or drop out and pursue teaching.
Here's a little bit about me- I have worked with children for 12 years and have loved it. I decided three years ago to study nursing, thinking it would be a great paying career in which I can make a difference and truly help others.
Fast forward three years later, and I was accepted to an RN program and began 6 months ago.
I have multiple sclerosis, and due to the stress, experienced a relapse, and had to drop out of the program. They have so graciously offered me the chance to come back next semester but now I'm scared. Due to my health, I'm terrified of the stress I'll encounter not just in the program, but also as a job
Help please! I've been going crazy trying to make this life changing decision for myself!!

To be honest - nursing school as well as nursing is high stress both in terms of learning as well as working. Once nurses get through the first 1-2 years it gets better but the question is would that be worth and would you be able to make it through the program and later orientation/new job.

Teaching can be stressful as well - depending on the student's age, parents, income/population you may face stress - granted there are vacations and regular work days.

I wonder if there is a possibility to meet with a academic counselor or other specialist to find out which professions would be most likely provide you with a fulfilling career and also allow for enough balance because or your chronic condition. You might want to touch base with your neurologist and think a bit about your future as well as MS can lead to other impairment along the way. Jobs that require rotation schedules/ night/ long work days/ high stress are most likely not a good fit for you.

Also check out this link and their webpage:

Career Options : National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Ashbeelee · Apr 24, 2016

Thank you so much for your advice. You're right, I will seek out an academic counselor again, and see if I can get a better outlook. I am leaning more towards teaching. The decision is weighing on me heavy and actually causing stress. It's difficult to walk away from such an amazing opportunity, yet I know in my heart what is best and it's probably teaching.

notnursezelda · Apr 24, 2016

Why not continue nursing and then become a nurse educator? I'm not sure how much bedside time you would have to put in, but it's a good way of combining the two. Plus nurse educators are in serious demand, salary isn't the best but job security is there.

Libby1987 · Apr 24, 2016

I wouldn't pursue either, I think both require good health and high stress tolerance to start with. To begin either with limitations could lead to major disappointment and defeat.

What I would do, in addition to meeting with the counselor, is to consider Physical Therapy Assistant. The education required is only a 4 yr degree and it's a relatively low stress position. You don't need to be physically strong to perform the job, there's probably less lifting than there is for nursing, at least in home health where you'll never work nights and or much of the major holidays. It doesn't pay as high as some RN jobs but it's doable long term.

RiskManager · Apr 24, 2016

My wife has been an elementary school teacher for a couple of decades. Teaching is less physically demanding than bedside nursing, but it certainly has its own level of emotional stress from the various problems and issues that young children have. Some of the stories she tells me about children and their parents are just heartbreaking. Then again, she also tells stories about the joys of getting through to a kid and/or their parents that are inspiring.

mdcp · Apr 24, 2016

I use to teach and am now a nurse.

I have to tell you I totally feel like nursing has been the most stressful career I have ever done.

I have been pondering the thought of making the switch back to teaching.

pixierose, BSN, RN · Apr 24, 2016

I'm a former teacher, now a nursing student. I'm switching to nursing because of the stress. My husband is an APRN, so I know nursing is not without stress (far from it) -- but it's a stress *I can live with.* That's the question -- what kind of stress can you successfully live with?

Teaching has changed so much over the years. There are so many benefits -- I loved working with my students, and enjoyed learning from many of my colleagues. But taking work home every.single.night? Grading papers at soccer games? Writing sections of IEPs at field hockey practice? Tucking in the kids at bed, only to get back on the computer and work on my students' programming til 11:30p? Meetings throughout the day, jammed-packed case loads. It became too much. I didn't have Summer's off (I was a pre-K/elementary SPED teacher), but I did work normal (supposedly) 8-4p hours, no holidays.

But teaching is what you make of it. Obviously, people stick with it. I had a choice, and was able to move on.

Only you know what stressors you can handle.