Thinking of switching from nurse to elementary teacher. Bad idea?

[Skips]

This is really tough for me to swallow, but I'm not loving nursing as a career.

I graduated from my BSN program almost a year ago. I was at the top of my class. I worked very hard for 4 years to get this degree. So why am I not loving nursing?

Since before college, I always wanted to be an elementary school teacher. When I realized how much in student loans I would be taking out vs the amount of pay I would be receiving, I backed out and went for nursing instead. I felt like nursing would be a better investment financially. (I know, that's probably a bad reason to go into nursing). I do like people and I love children! I work with kids every day, and my job is very comfortable and stress-free. I work at a clinic currently.

Is it a bad idea to go to school? Should I try to get a school nursing job and forgo another degree? I feel like I shouldn't give up just yet, but I really want to go back to school and get my degree in elementary education. There is an adult weekend/online/evening option at a local university.

Thoughts?

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

florida3 said:

Plus.........You can work 8 months as a teacher and 4 months as a nurse. Life is short. Don't think about it so much and follow your heart. In the end what you are worried about now will not matter to you then.

That sounds like fun! ?

[lpchels]

I graduated from nursing school and went straight into school nursing (this is my first year) not by choice. I applied to be a sub while I did some job hunting and they liked me so when someone quit I was hired full time. I am currently looking for a new job because it drives me crazy. Don't get me wrong, I love kids. I do not like teachers because teachers are a.) so scared of being sued they send everything from "my arm hurts from writing" to "this bruise I got on my arm 3 days ago hurts when I touch it" to my clinic and b.) they like to cause a lot of drama over nothing. I see 26 students a day for impromptu visits on top of my other duties. But I will tell you, I would definitely do it over teaching. I was a nanny in college no problem, but on days when I have 6 kids in my clinic and 2 kids are running in circles waiting on their meds, another is sneaking in my office to steal sticky notes to draw on, while I apply pressure to a kids nose that won't stop gushing, I know I could not have 20 of them in a classroom. We are a title 1 school so I'm constantly running some health program for needy students. My advise to you is try out school nursing. If you like it stay. If you still think you would rather teach and multiple kids and teacher/staff drama doesn't drive you crazy, go for it. Then you know it is your calling.

[Skips, MSN, RN]

In response to teaching during the school year and nursing during the summer: it really does sound fun!

[FloridaBeagle]

Skips said:

In response to teaching during the school year and nursing during the summer: it really does sound fun!

Summer for teachers is only 5-6 weeks long (since teachers get out later than the kids and return a week sooner) and most teachers spend it doing coursework for licensing, required training or prep work to prepare for next year, and passed out from running the marathon of teaching from August-June. You will not have much free time or energy for a PRN gig.

Now that I'm a nurse, I have SO much more free time on my hands, and a ton more energy. Teachers work 190 days a year, nurses 150 (3x a week, x50 weeks). And nursing hours are shorter (I never worked a 36-40 hour week as a teacher!).

I would never return to teaching. My quality of life is so much better now. Don't say I didn't warn you.

[Goals1118]

I'm a current elementary teacher looking into making a career change to nursing. If you truly feel that you've given the nursing profession a fair shot, and you do not enjoy it, I say go for the career change. However, working less than a year as a nurse seems like a little soon to switch, maybe you just need a change of environment? As for student loans, there is a government program in which you work five years at a Title 1 school (public low-income) and you can qualify for up to $17,500 off of your student loan debt. Also, there is a public servant loan forgiveness program (applicable to public school teachers as well as health professionals in public hospitals) for forgiving all loans after working there full-time for 10 years.

As for the stress-free part, I have an aunt who is a nurse and her job isn't stress-free and teaching isn't stress-free either. I'm somewhat confused as to why you'd want to leave a stress-free job? But to each his own. Keep in mind that when working in education, you have to pay to set up your 'office'. Here's what I mean: you pay for your easel ($400), your classroom rug ($400), your supplies, your crafts, snacks for kiddos, your paper, books ($3000+), etc. Some schools will reimburse you, but after you've spent thousands of dollars that year and receive $100 if that from the school, it doesn't really mean much. If you qualify, you might get $200 to $250 off your taxes, but again nothing close to what you've actually spent that school year. Take into consideration how much you'll be spending yearly to how low the salary is. Also, get comfortable with parents calling and emailing all hours of the day, and I mean all. I've been at schools with helicopter parents who get upset when little Billy didn't get to sit next to the cool kid and lunch, so they need to send me a 3 AM email complaining about it, to schools where I've never even met the parent and I've been the one buying the kid's field trip, lunch, supplies, etc. Teaching is a noble profession, but it's changed much over the years. You will come in early and leave late for hours that you aren't paid, you will work when you're at home and during the weekend. I would also recommend substituting in a local school, if possible.

I would say give nursing a fair chance at least three years, before making the leap.

[blessed_mommy]

Glad to hear you're enjoying your transition! I've been a classroom teacher for the past couple of years, but nursing was my first major. While I love kids and teaching, I've always felt like something was missing and keep contemplating nursing. What were your biggest adjustments with making the switch? I feel like I need to get a CNA type job or something just to get used to the long shifts.

[Nature_walker, ASN, BSN, RN]

I left teaching for nursing and I couldn't be happier. All the things that were describe about teaching already were just part of why I left. I agree that subbing is 1.) a great way to get exposed to the teaching environment and 2.) for making connections/ networking. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

[RN4kidz11]

Hello! I am an RN currently working as a school nurse as a private duty nurse. I took this position last year in February (which is actually an lpn position) while waiting for the real school nurse job position to open up. There's only 5 school nurses and I'm worried I'll never have a chance bc they all seem content! With that said, if I even get that position, when I retire the most I'll be making is $40-49k. Right now I'm making 25k. The money is very low but I'm married and my husband makes enough and my real concern is being available for my kindergarten daughter which this job allows. I was also thinking of switching to teaching as a.) they get more respect than I do, b.) they get paid more and can retire with $68k plus better benefits, and c.) my job is not very secure as a private duty nurse. I actually wanted to be a teacher growing up but switched to nursing bc I had heard nurses were in short demand and paid more than teachers. I was also at the top of my class in school and since graduating 7 years ago I have not found a job I loved, but my priorities weren't my career it was starting a family so I missed out on falling in love with nursing and really getting lots of good experience. My perfect job would be working with kids where I'm actually respected and the flexibility and hours to be able to be with my daughter when she's not in school so she doesn't need childcare....any advice?

[mikithinks]

This is sooo me right now

[mdc]

This is so me right now as well. I'm almost 6 months in in my first nursing job fresh out of school and boy it's just not for me! Currently working at the hospital on a medsurg floor. I've never liked medsurg during clinicals but I took it cuz that's what everyone told me is the best thing to do for experience. I have great coworkers and my manager has been so accommodating but I don't know, I just don't see myself here. Maybe it's being a hospital setting? (Which again I never liked medsurg or working in a hospital during my clinicals) Or maybe it's nursing? It's so hard to say since I haven't been here long but something in me just doesn't feel right. I love the job security, don't get me wrong, but like you I didn't choose nursing because I loved it. I don't know whether I should give it a chance or find my niche or just start fresh again. Sighhh I love kids and I actually teach little kids at during Sunday school at my church and I love it! And a lot of people tell me that they can see me as a teacher. Yes people/patients/coworkers always say I'm such a good nurse, I'm so caring and nice, but I really don't think this is for me

[mdc]

On 1/22/2018 at 2:18 PM, mikithinks said:

This is sooo me right now

Sameeeeee

[Skips, MSN, RN]

Hello!

I wanted to update everyone. I never did go into elementary education. After working as a school nurse, I realized what teachers went through daily and it is definitely something I was not interested in doing after working for that district. Too much stress! I now work in labor & delivery.

I have gotten over my new nurse jitters and I have come to enjoy nursing as a profession...I even got my MSN! ?

If you find after awhile you still aren't enjoying nursing, then by all means, take the plunge. It took me 1.5 years of being a nurse to really embrace it and become comfortable in my role.