Teacher vs. Nurse?

Jonathank · Mar 9, 2011

Not interested in science? That would certainly limit you in any health field.

ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN · Mar 9, 2011

If you read some of the posts by new graduates, you will find that they are having difficulty landing a job too. Please don’t take my comment as a blanketed statement. There are areas hiring new graduates. You will need to do some research to find out which organizations are hiring and their locations. I did not find the science or nursing courses difficult, but I think it has to do with my love for science. I don’t think I would do well in courses I am simply not interested in. For example, I had to take an Art History course during my first undergraduate degree and I had a difficult time with it. All that was required was memorizing the history associated with the piece of art. It was not difficult, but it was painful for me to memorize something that I absolutely disliked. I don’t know if the same is true for you.

Something to consider is there are many avenues available within the nursing profession. You are studying to be a teacher. There are nurse educators who work in universities, community colleges, and in facilities. You can have both worlds.

Good luck on whatever you decide.

Jonathank · Mar 9, 2011

ParkerBean: With all due respect, a NI who's not interested in science? That doesn't sound like a good fit to me...

anonymousstudent · Mar 9, 2011

I agree with J, you at least need some interest in science. Nobody's saying you have to love it, but you have to at least be able to understand it and apply it.

As far as your current skill set, teaching is a very valuable skill to have as a nurse. You will always be teaching patients.

I guess the crux of it comes down to whether you can do the course work based on the primary motivation of getting a job with better pay. There probably needs to be something else there for you, but people have done it before.

Southern Magnolia · Mar 9, 2011

One of the reasons I am going back to school to become a nurse is that I Love the science of the human body. It fascinates me. I have a degree in English and tried to teach but HATED it. Didn't get passed student teaching. I think I would enjoy teaching adults but I loathed high schoolers. Just didn't fit for me. I think if you don't even like science you'll not enjoy nursing. Kinda like I liked English but didn't like the student aspect. You certainly won't enjoy taking the courses in school that you'll need to get a degree. I have taken - basic bio, A&P I and II, Chemistry, Nutrition, and am in pathophysiology now. Everything builds on these science courses once your in the actual nursing courses.

If you are attracted to the human aspect of nursing you might check out social work. Though it is not a career you go into for money.

Best of luck.

KyBreed · Mar 16, 2011

I was in a nursing program when I first entered college. I switched to teaching because I felt it would be more of a "mommy" job and I had just learned of my pregnancy. Now, my beautiful daughter is turning 22 in May and I have retired from teaching and going into nursing....where I should have been this whole time. I didn't "hate" teaching 10 year-olds, but it wasn't my passion. I want to spend my life doing something I really enjoy. If teaching is what you want, then stay with it. Move to a shortage area if you have to, but don't give up on your dream. You will regret it. Plus, you'll never make it if you don't like science. My daughter tried nursing because of the money. We have a local hospital offering nurses a $20,000 sign-on bonus. Yep, you read that right. She could not remember all those 10 syllable medical terms and ended up changing to criminal justice. She is so happy now. Do what you love so you can love what you do. I just made that up.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2011

Who says you can't do both? :) The former dean of my nursing program was a teacher before she became a nurse.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Mar 16, 2011

I had no interest in Science before nursing. In fact, science was my worst subject in school. I have no idea why I picked a field heavily science based. But I did. Now in my 4th semester I find it all fascinating. I see nursing in a whole new way than I did before.

In fact, Fluids and Electrolytes was probably one of my most dreaded subjects. I read a book that made it all click, and I love it now.

I really wish I had time now to go retake A&P and Patho because I took such little away from it the first time since it was something I dreaded instead of enjoyed.

It can change, doesn't mean it will for you, but teaching was something I always wanted to do, along with a few other things, now I know that I want to be a nurse but still teach too, I think I will look into eventually being a Clinical Instructor while still working as a nurse.

manu705 · Mar 21, 2011

I switched my major from elementary ed to nursing, you really need to want to be a nurse to become one. It is not an easy major, and definitely not an easy job. Think it over before you make a decision and nursing is ALL science!

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2011

So I am a college student and my current major is Elementary Education, but I am thinking about switching my major to nursing due to the fact teachers are having a rough time right now and the pay is horrible. The problem is I am not very interested in science and I know that there is a lot of courses in science. I'm not sure what to do and I was hoping for some advice or encouragement. Thanks!

Depending on the area you live it it may not be easier to get a job in nursing either. All that said, I taught high school science briefly (1.5 yrs). I hated it. I will never, for anything, recommend public school teaching as a career choice to anyone. It sucks.

As for science, of the 13 other people in my program, none of them are interested in science either. Most of them can't remember squat from their microbiology or anatomy/phsyiology courses. Don't sweat it. Few nurses are scientifically-oriented. Me on the other hand, I like the science more than the patients. There are always different ends of the spectrum. Maybe I should teach nurses LOL.

Anyhow, as someone who has taken a wide variety of science classes the few you'll need for nursing school aren't difficult. Once you've got those completed the rest is even easier.

Emilynn09 · Mar 22, 2011

Nursing is mostly science... and by mostly, I mean just about all of it. If science doesn't interest you, maybe you wouldn't like nursing.

and as others have said, nurses are having a hard time now too finding jobs. If you are going into it just because you think it's a sure thing to have a job, it might be a bad idea.

I would do some more research on the topic and really think about if it would be for you or not. Without knowing anything else about you except that you don't like science and are thinking of changing from teaching because of the lack of jobs; I'd say that nursing isn't a good idea for you.

sorry. :/