Teacher or nurse?

I'm in nursing school, considering changing my career to teaching (elementary only). The thing about teaching that draws me in, is I would be able to have the same schedule as my kids, which is super important to me. But I've heard that lots of teachers work 12 hour days 5 days a week, grading papers and such. How much paperwork could there be for 1st graders lol?

Nurses make more money, but hospitals are open everyday, year round. So I will have to sacrifice some holidays and weekends, and once I graduate, probably work nights which will be hard with 2 small children.

I need to make a decision quickly so I can register for my classes, but I honestly have no idea which direction I want to go in. HELP! And since it's D&D, debate and discuss the pros and cons to each!

I say teacher, but I've already told you I wnat to be a teacher.

You have to really love teaching to stay in that profession, I believe. I'm not a teacher but I was an aide for 5 years and that was hard enough. I'd love to be a nurse but I have a queezy stomach.

im oging to nursing school..
i like the fact that on the weekends i work a 24 hour shift.. and be done..
because you do make a lot more as a nurse, and IMO you can be home when your kids are home and work when you hubby is home with the kids..and its only one day..
good luck!
ohhh and edcation majors always end up having to go back to school to keep up with the demands of changing requirements needed to teach

If the only reason you want to be a teacher is for the nice schedule, I wouldn't do it. It is a lot longer hours than most people think and the job is truly draining. I am a few semesters from becoming an K-8 teacher and honestly, I if you are not 100% committed to the idea, its a lot harder than it looks. Which is why educators have a high burnout rate. There is a whole lot more paperwork than you think - even for the younger grades.

LOL I have a degree in education and I KICK MYSELF over that. I wanted to become an RN and I regret that I didn't pursue my true passion. IMO what do you really want to be in life. Don't base it on schedules or anything! What would bring you joy, a sense of accomplishment??


RN's get paid BIG bucks and my cousin works 3 12 hour days a week. NOT bad don't you think? xo

I was going to school for RN but just switched my major to elementary education this semester. I have almost all the pre recs done for it since a lot of them are the same. I know that nurses make more money, but like you said, you have to be on call 24/7 holidays weekends everything.

Quoting MommyRust:“ If the only reason you want to be a teacher is for the nice schedule, I wouldn't do it. It is a lot longer ... [snip!] ... is why educators have a high burnout rate. There is a whole lot more paperwork than you think - even for the younger grades.”

well what made me change my mind, is because I started working at a daycare/preschool and I just love it! the schedule is just a perk I suppose.

Quoting trippyhippie * 7 weeks*:“ im oging to nursing school.. i like the fact that on the weekends i work a 24 hour shift.. and be done.. ... [snip!] ... edcation majors always end up having to go back to school to keep up with the demands of changing requirements needed to teach”

Yep! I graduated college five years ago and I couldn't just turn around and go teach right now if I wanted to. I need to update things. It's a headache. They are not respected enough and they're paid so poorly. It's really a profession that you must truly LOVE or else you'll feel like you are being jipped.

Ive had the same thoughts, I start school for nursing next week, and have always tossed up teaching or nursing.

I chose nursing because
1. more money
2. the adrenaline
3. sometimes a nice schedule ( 3 day work weeks if lucky )
4. room to grow
5. more opportunities *goes with #4.*

Teaching
1. Nice school schedule with your child.
2. Con-- Less money
3. No real room for growth... ( i could be wrong )
4. If you like children (other than your own---- ) great job.

I've been debating this myself.
But I'm ultimately going with being a nurse, because I eventually want to get MSN.
The hours and holidays don't both me. The money is very enticing. And I love the medical field

You could have a good schedule as an RN as well. You could work some where that doesn't require being on-call, working ata school, dr.s office, etc. My mom's an RN at our local heart center and only works 3 days a week, they're also closed every holiday.

I've been contemplating going back because I want to be a nurse. I'm not sure what I'd chose either because they both sound nice. Especially with having summers off. I'd think a con to being a teacher would be the temper tantrums perhaps? lol. I'm not sure if I could deal with all kinds of kids on a daily basis. That takes a lot of patience .

Quoting Erica (Jacob's mommy!):“ well what made me change my mind, is because I started working at a daycare/preschool and I just love it! the schedule is just a perk I suppose.”

Just remember though that once it is your classroom - especially in a public school - there is more than just teaching that you have to deal with.

State Standards, lesson plans, IEP accomodations and conferences, cooperative learning, INTASC standards, Portfolio building, mentoring, summer school, after school activities, Continuing education, etc.

If you want to be a teacher, go for it. However, don't do it unless your heart is solely invested because kids need teachers these days that are in it to be excellent teachers and are there because they want to be.

Quoting MommyRust:“ If the only reason you want to be a teacher is for the nice schedule, I wouldn't do it. It is a lot longer ... [snip!] ... is why educators have a high burnout rate. There is a whole lot more paperwork than you think - even for the younger grades.”

I have a question for you. How hard is it to become an elementary school teacher? This is something that I have always wanted to do and am seriously contemplating it since I do have a child of my own now. The only thing that scares me is that the pay isn't the best. But everything else I would love. I don't mind doing paperwork (as crazy as it sounds I love paperwork) and I absolutely love kids. And the fact that I will be able to take summers off with my son would be another big point for me.