Should I give nursing one more chance?

webbiedebbie · Apr 20, 2004

How long have you been in nursing? I took a 5 year break and came back to nursing 1 year ago. Sometimes, I regret it, but the pluses outweigh the minuses. Good luck in whatever you decide.

angel337, MSN, RN · Apr 20, 2004

Fellow nurses,
If this posted twice I am sorry. In a nutshell I need some advice.
I am trying to decide whether or not to give nursing one more chance or go for the gusto, and become a high school biology teacher. I love teaching, but it just doesn't make the money nursing does. I had horrible experiences as a new grad. I just don't believe in my self and my skills anymore. Could working in a small hospital make all the difference. I am considering moving to Llano to be close to my parents. All my nursing experiences were in Austin. Thanks for your suggestions.

i work with plenty of nurses that admit if it were not for the income that nursing provides....they would not be a nurse. i don't think you want to be that kind of nurse, because it only makes you miserable. the point of having a career is to be able to provide for yourself and your family, but it is also important to at least LIKE what you do. there are many avenues in nursing you can explore that may not be as stressful as bedside nursing, but my guess is that you may not have enough experience to apply for those positions. try case management or home care. both of these specialties pay well and will allow you the opportunity to teach without so many time restraints like bedside nursing. i'm sorry about what you experienced as a new grad. the first year of nursing is truly a make or break experience and that is why i encourage all new grads to forget about who is paying $1-$2 more than hospital x down the road, it is most important to get a solid orientation in a safe working environment that encourages learning. talk with your former professors and see what they suggest. maybe they can give you tips or referrals for places that are known to be great to work at.

good luck. you will do fine. :)

my2girlsRN · Apr 21, 2004

ladies,

Thank you for responding. I have been a med-surg, L/D, and public health nurse.

Public Health was by far the best experience. I have been out of nursing for five years. I have been raising my daughters and following my husband around the world. He is a Captain in the Army. Currently, we live in Germany. I sure do miss Texas! I taught Health Science Technology last fall to high schoolers. I really enjoyed that. I am just having a terrible time trying to psyce my self up to go back to bed side nursing of any kind. Have a wonderful day.:balloons:

cynthia_donne · Apr 24, 2004

ladies,
Thank you for responding. I have been a med-surg, L/D, and public health nurse.
Public Health was by far the best experience. I have been out of nursing for five years. I have been raising my daughters and following my husband around the world. He is a Captain in the Army. Currently, we live in Germany. I sure do miss Texas! I taught Health Science Technology last fall to high schoolers. I really enjoyed that. I am just having a terrible time trying to psyce my self up to go back to bed side nursing of any kind. Have a wonderful day.:balloons:

Just wondering where you are at in Germany??? My daughter and her husband have orders for a NATO base (officer in A.F.) and they are taking my 4 grandchildren for 3 years:crying2: I am an R.N. and wondered about working in Europe.

my2girlsRN · Apr 25, 2004

I suppose it depends on where your family is stationed. If they are close to a military hospital like Landstuhal or Heidelberg I belive they hire civilians. You would have to contact them and jump through the hoops first. It is a completely different process to get a contract position. I know how you feel on this end. I miss my family so much. Good luck! I am sorry I wasn't much help, but I haven't looked into it because I can't work 12 hour shifts with two kids and a husband is gone all the time. That is one reason I am looking into teaching. The hours are more family friendly. My husband has been gone for 19 months out of the last three years. He has been to Afghanistan and Iraq, and it was impossible for me to work rotating shifts. I hope your family's transition is smooth. Tell them to bring all their winter clothes and a smaller amount of summer clothes. It is only warm for about a month or two. It is way too cold over here for a girl from Texas. Take care, laurie

Just wondering where you are at in Germany??? My daughter and her husband have orders for a NATO base (officer in A.F.) and they are taking my 4 grandchildren for 3 years:crying2: I am an R.N. and wondered about working in Europe.

my2girlsRN · Apr 25, 2004

I suppose it depends on where your family is stationed. If they are close to a military hospital like Landstuhal or Heidelberg I belive they hire civilians. You would have to contact them and jump through the hoops first. It is a completely different process to get a contract position. I know how you feel on this end. I miss my family so much. Good luck! I am sorry I wasn't much help, but I haven't looked into it because I can't work 12 hour shifts with two kids and a husband is gone all the time. That is one reason I am looking into teaching. The hours are more family friendly. My husband has been gone for 19 months out of the last three years. He has been to Afghanistan and Iraq, and it was impossible for me to work rotating shifts. I hope your family's transition is smooth. Tell them to bring all their winter clothes and a smaller amount of summer clothes. It is only warm for about a month or two. It is way too cold over here for a girl from Texas. Take care, laurie

Just wondering where you are at in Germany??? My daughter and her husband have orders for a NATO base (officer in A.F.) and they are taking my 4 grandchildren for 3 years:crying2: I am an R.N. and wondered about working in Europe.

renerian, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2004

Our public school system published their teachers salary ammounts. Almost 50% make more than I do and I have a higher degree. Don't necessarily think all teachers make more than nurses.

Just an FYI

renerian

renerian, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2004

Our public school system published their teachers salary ammounts. Almost 50% make more than I do and I have a higher degree. Don't necessarily think all teachers make more than nurses.

Just an FYI

renerian

Faynell · May 10, 2004

Hello,

Recently started "application process" for my Texas license via Recprocity." Can anyone tell me "How long did it take the fingerprint cards to reach you?" Requested this online April 29th and still have not received. I have everything else ready, but am waiting on the fingerprint packet. Interviewed for a position and accepted job offer....start date is May 17th. Will start me out as an Extern making less than $10/hr until my temporary permit comes thru. I'm thinking about changing my start date until mid-June...(if they would agree) Don't see how I'm going to have my license any time soon. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Trauma Columnist · May 10, 2004

OP - good luck with whatever you decide. My husband retired from the Air Force in 95 and we were overseas for 12 straight years (Japan, Spain, Korea, Alaska). I really enjoyed the travel, but like you it was very hard on my family. I had a chance to visit the hospital at Landstuhl - my son was quite ill and we were medevac'd in from Spain. I was quite impressed with the nursing staff, but when I talked with the civilians - they were making a lot less than stateside nurses. When I worked in Korea at the 121 evac hospital in Seoul - the civilian nurses were independent contractors and the job went to the lowest bidder. good luck with whatever you decide...thanks for your service too!

dnnc52 · Aug 29, 2007

How did you feel in school? did you continue in school because of the desire to be a nurse, or because you were determined to accomplish want you started. I do know a bad exp can impact your future as a career.