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!!
Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.
I've been an elementary school teacher, a nurse, and a college professor. I found elementary education to be extremely emotionally and mentally tiring. Nursing was physically, mentally, and emotionally tiring, but more physical than the others. College teaching was mostly mentally and emotionally challenging. There were times when I was in each of those jobs that I was so tired between work that all I did was try to recuperate and stay up-to-date with what I had to do. I also loved all the jobs.
No matter which you choose, it will have its stress, and at least at times, the stress will be extremely intense.
As someone else said, we certainly can't decide for you. But I'd think you'd have a much better chance of being a teacher longer, and perhaps easier (physically) than being a nurse, considering the MS. But of course, there are many types of nursing too.
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.
Me too... taught for a number of years, and now a nurse for a number of years. BOTH are stressful, but nursing is WAY more stressful, IMHO. Plus, WAY more physically demanding than teaching. I, too, am considering going back to the teaching profession, but as an educator for future nursing students. A poster on here had made mention of physical therapy/assistant. I concur that that would be a good option. Good luck to you :)
I don't have direct experience with teaching so I can't speak to the stress levels there. I do know nursing can and usually is physically demanding, at least in the early portion of your career when the less physical desk or clinic jobs are harder to get unless you know somebody and have a job lined up before you even graduate.
I am not at all qualified to offer you career advice, but I do notice that most answers have offered you either/or options so I though I'd throw out the both option. Have you considered school nursing? That would give you the nursing career you want plus the daytime, no nights and no weekends and lot's of time off schedule of school. Plus school nursing is not normally as physically demanding as typical bedside nursing and you would still have the interaction with the kids that you like.
[COLOR=#000000] [/COLOR]If you're leaning more towards teaching, then I would STRONGLY recommend substitute teaching so you can get a glimpse of the fraction of stress involved (minus making lesson plans, dealing with parents, grading papers, etc.). I've read countless posts on this site where people advocate nursing is more stressful than teaching OR vice versa. But then again, each profession...stress can totally depends on WHO you work for, what specialty/grade you do, and where you work. That's why you'll never get a clear cut answer from forums.
My background: I have a BA in psychology, I have been a tutor for 6+ years helping students in all grades and subjects from 1st grade thru College (Spanish, English, Math, Anatomy, Microbiology, and Physiology). I have also been a Substitute teacher - during that period I challenged myself try subbing for ALL grades and subjects. I have absolutely LOVED subbing for 2nd-5th grade and look forward to my job everyday...even though it can be VERY draining and stressful. BUT I have decided to enter into an ADN program...and if I ever do make a career change in the future, then it will def be teaching.
I left teaching for nursing. My teaching job was also a specialty so my caseload was not a normal classroom. I had all grade levels and and all ages. Very stressful and also taught summer school due to my population. I've not yet started my nursing job as I've only just graduated and have to pass NCLEX yet. Good luck with whatever way you go!
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.
One has to be very proficient at something before they can confer that knowledge upon others. Going straight into nursing education without being an independant clinician (which new grads are not) is a phenominally bad idea. Stressful too, I imagine; the incompetent educator can't produce competent nurses, so performance reviews wouldn't be good.
OP I also recommend talking to your neurologist and academic advisor. The first semester of the nursing program is by FAR the easiest, and I worry about your health/wellbeing if the stress of first semester made you have an exacerbation.
Whispera, MSN, RN
3,458 Posts
I've been an elementary school teacher, a nurse, and a college professor. I found elementary education to be extremely emotionally and mentally tiring. Nursing was physically, mentally, and emotionally tiring, but more physical than the others. College teaching was mostly mentally and emotionally challenging. There were times when I was in each of those jobs that I was so tired between work that all I did was try to recuperate and stay up-to-date with what I had to do. I also loved all the jobs.
No matter which you choose, it will have its stress, and at least at times, the stress will be extremely intense.