amaliavelasquez

I was a middle school Language Arts teacher. Over the years I taught all grades at the middle school level, 6th, 7th, and 8th. My favorite grade level was 7th -- which people thought was crazy. Nola009 -- A lot of people at the hospital I work at have told me that... that's why I am planning on working nights. Seriously though, it does seem nursing gives you options. Teaching is kind of a one trick pony if you will.

Hi! This is another one of those threads.... but I really need some input. I know its something only I can decide but I am just stuck. A little background on me: I was a teacher in an inner city school for 14 years. I loved the kids, but the education system slowly but surely took my career away from me. The best way I can describe it is like this: Imagine that someone took over as your boss, told you what you were doing right was wrong, and then mandated you do it the wrong way, and you patients were negatively effected. I was the teacher voted most inspiring, the teacher who spent hundreds of dollars a year on the classroom, who students confided in. But those things were being taken from me. Meanwhile, my husband had gotten a new job in Chicago, so it seemed serendipitous to take a break from teaching. While we were settling into Chicago I thought over my options. I had always been interested in medicine, diseases, and of course, loved helping people, but was always scared off by the math and science needed to get a degree in the medical field. I also had no idea if I would actually like working with patients in hospital, so I got a job as a unit clerk/sitter at a local hospital. I really enjoyed working at the hospital, especially when I got to sit with patients. I decided to get my PCT license, and I like that the most out of the three roles I have at the hospital. When I got my review they said I was performing at the highest standard, and are really pleased with my performance, etc. etc. I was still heartbroken about teaching, and had even applied for some openings, but got no response. Part of me felt my heart just wasn't in it. When I was looking for my first teaching job, there was a hiring freeze, yet I made it happen. It was ALL I wanted. I don't feel that way anymore. But I still miss it. Its a very weird combination. Meanwhile I started taking Pre-Reqs for nursing school. I have A's in A&P and Chem, but I find I HATE chemistry. The material in both classes in challenging for me, very challenging. I have to spend many three hours a day studying, at least. I want to do well, and I want to understand it, so i spend the time, but to say that these subject click for me, they don't. The material I studied for my Literature degree clicked, for my Masters in Education, clicked. This is just crazy hard for me. The feeling of dislike for chemistry and difficultly I have getting good grades makes me think... will I make through nursing school? does it mean I'm not going to make a good nurse? What I can bring to the table as a nurse would be: compassion, hard work, ability to multi-task, and intuition. What I can't: being "strong" in math and science. Do you think I have what it takes? If I can make a difference in someone's life, basically be allowed to do my job, I am happy.