Teaching to Nursing

I love nursing, there are so many areas you can practice your profession. However, based on what others here are saying, don't be too surprised if when you graduate you find yourself in the very same situation.

I would listen to hubby (lol). When my uncle (MD) and two aunts (nurses) were less than enthusiastic about my decison to become an RN I was a bit hurt. Now I know why though!

But seriously read the threads regarding new grad employment. There is not a shortage in nursing currently either. What don't you like about teaching? I will tell you my siblings are all teachers and from my point of view they have it prety nice! And they are happy with their career choice. Me, not so much. Think carefully and good luck in your decison.

I think you should investigate the possibilities. You said that the teaching shortage is a sham, and I will tell you that many nurses will tell you that the nursing shortage is a sham. However, I think that the push for nurses is just a little ahead of it's time. The need for nurses will increase dramatically (at least for those interested in gerontology) in the next few years as a very large percentage of the population ages and needs care. I can't think of anything I would rather do, and if it is in your heart to work hard in the service of others, then go for it! You might volunteer in a busy hospital to see what happens up close....opt for a patient care area rather than a gift shop. You can also talk to many of the nurses in that setting and get a feel for what is going on.

I don't blame you for wanting to switch from teaching. For some reason, people think there are a lot of teaching jobs available, especially in special ed, but that is simply not true at all. I know plenty of out of work teachers in all subjects.

I say go for your dream! I let family talk me out of nursing 10 years ago and I am kicking myself now. Time goes by so fast, and only you know what's right for you, not your family.

i am in the same situation as you. I actually posted something yesterday. I too am joining the ranks of unemployed teachers. I'm still on the fence, I mean I would love to go into nursing but I'm afraid if I do and finish...I will not be able to find a job.. and then end up back to where I am at now!! I've been reading some posts and it seems that many newly minted nurses are having a hard time finding a job, no different that new teachers. However, I like to think that nurses have more options, (i dunno just speculating)

Know that you are not alone because I am in the same situation...It is very frustrating and saddening to know that you worked so hard to get where you are at only to find that there is no job for you!! I have been down and out for the last couple of days trying to figure things out. I wish you the best of luck..

At the same time I have loads of student loans from college and graduate school.

On top of my student loans, my husband has student loans from medical school.

So we're in A LOT of debt.

If I decide to pursue Nursing, then I have to take more student loans. I don't know if we can handle me taking more private loans for school. Also, I feel like all that education and loans for my Masters Degree in Education would have been a complete waste if I'm not going to use it.

But at the same time I don't see jobs in the Education sector opening up any time soon.

I am 23 years old, so I feel like the decision I make now should be something that should last the rest of my life.

Good for you, your age is on your side. Better if you don't have little ones at home so you can focus on school.

Bad timing, the economy is bad and just because you have a Master's in Ed, doesn't mean you can teach right away, but it will definitely help when you have experience under your belt.

Go for it.

I am a former teacher who changed careers to nursing. I decided to go back to school for nursing because it has more flexibility than teaching. I didn't have a problem getting teaching jobs, but I got so tired of some of the things that take place within the educational system. For some reason, I think many people think that teachers have it better than most because they get holidays and summers off. While nursing certainly has its pros and cons like any other profession, I can honestly say that I am so glad that I went to nursing school. I find it to be much more flexible, better paying, and rewarding than teaching ever was for me. I also find it less stressful than teaching. Of course, nursing can be incredibly stressful, but it is just a different type of stress. For me, it is easier to manage than the stress of teaching. That is just my own personal opinion.

As for the student loans, I really understand how you feel. I took out loans for undergraduate and graduate school. When I went back to school for nursing, more student loans was not an option for me. So, I chose to go through the RN program at my local community college so that I could afford to go without more student loans. The hospital that I am working at now will pay for my RN-BSN program. I think that was a wise financial decision for me. Of course, I would have loved to get my BSN right away, but it just wasn't financially possible for me to do that. I cashed in my teacher's retirement when I quit teaching and used that to pay for my school and to live on until I graduated. I was extremely nervous about doing that because I knew what it would mean if I ended up hating nursing. I would have to start my retirement all over if I ever go back to teaching.

Fortunately, you are young. You have plenty of time to decide what you want to do. If you feel like you would like to go to nursing school, you should go for it. You are right about the teaching jobs. Although I really didn't have a problem finding a job, there were more available at that time. Right now, school districts are under a lot of pressure to cut teaching staff because of the economy and their budgets. So, a lot of new grads are having a hard time finding jobs. It is getting difficult to even find jobs as a sub in many districts. They are getting an overwhelming number of applications. Anyway, whatever you choose, I wish you lots of luck.

HeyNow1986,

What did you decide? I am in the same boat as you (young teacher who was laid-off). I honestly think it happened for a reason and that reason is to pursue other dreams because I have always been interested in nursing. Don't let anyone get you down - pursue your dreams!