After comparing the employment prospects in the two industries, many are making the decision to switch careers from teacher to nurse. From earning potential to future career opportunities, similar values to schedule flexibility, teachers are finding that a nursing career aligns exactly with their goals.
Dedicated professionals pursuing a teaching career play a valuable role in society. But if you’re looking to make a career change while still making a difference with your work, the nursing profession could be a viable next step in your professional journey.
Teachers and nurses share several similarities in the outlook they bring to their professions. For instance, both work to make a difference in the lives of others. These professionals also share many of the same personality traits, although the skill sets they draw on for their professional responsibilities are different. As such, going back to school for nursing could be an appealing prospect for those who have earned a degree in education.
Teachers and nurses often have generous hearts and nurturing spirits. Not to mention, both of these professionals need to be good at rapid problem-solving, decision-making, communicating, and collaborating. They must also remain calm, cool, and collected when dealing with emotionally charged situations.
So, why trade your lesson plans for patient charts? Let’s explore seven reasons you might consider changing from teacher to nurse and how Notre Dame of Maryland University’s Accelerated 2nd Degree ABSN program enables a 15-month transition into nursing.
1. Nursing Earning Potential
With a higher earning potential in fields like nursing, many teachers are reconsidering their future career prospects. After all, those transitioning from teaching to nursing are entering an occupation that the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists as having a median annual wage of $86,000.
Not only are the starting salaries of registered nurses very livable, but the opportunity for wage growth is extensive. Advanced practice nursing careers may offer a six-figure salary while allowing you to work directly with patients or in various alternative settings to ensure the best quality care possible.
2. Occupational Outlook for Nursing
The nursing field is also growing, providing excellent job prospects for those obtaining their BSN degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing is currently projected to grow at a rate of 6% by 2032, resulting in a need for an estimated 193,100 new nurses. In comparison, this is greater than the growth rate for the field of education. There are many contributing factors, but the rise in our senior population and the nursing shortage are two main influences. Especially in today’s health care climate, where nurses are increasingly essential for patient care, the national nursing shortage only makes the need for competent professionals in the workplace more urgent. Many hospitals are actively and continuously seeking new nurses to mentor and employ.
3. Diverse Opportunities for Nurses
Regarding flexibility and opportunities for specialization, nursing is one of the most diverse professions available today. While hospitals remain the largest employers of registered nurses, there are many alternative career paths in various settings, including airplanes, cruise ships and military bases. You could even return to an educational environment as a school nurse.
Nurses can also pursue one of many highly specialized roles, each requiring different experience or certifications. For example, you could become an ambulatory care nurse, a burn care nurse, a dermatology nurse, a forensic nurse, a genetics nurse, a holistic nurse, an informatics nurse, a labor and delivery nurse and more. Bear in mind that some specialties require higher education and training than others.
4. Nursing Opportunities to Work With Children
In nursing, you can work with people of all ages. Individuals passionate about working with children can work with them daily when transitioning from teacher to nurse. A pediatric specialty may be your perfect career path if you want to care for children exclusively. A pediatric specialty can be earned through experience in the peds ward or other related areas and a CPN certification.
Pediatric nurses must have qualities, such as compassion and cheerfulness, that surpass the standard in nursing to help them treat children experiencing pain and emotional stress. They also support families during some of the most difficult times of their lives. While being a pediatric nurse is challenging, a teacher’s skills translate effectively.
5. Nurses’ Ability to Care for People
As a teacher, you have a motivation to help people and enrich the next generation. If you seek an alternative way to accomplish this, you will also find the opportunity to care for others in the nursing field. Not only do nurses provide care to the physical person, but they also work to care for the mind and emotions of their patients. Having a condition, illness or injury can be very taxing, especially if the patient is in the hospital for long periods. Out of all health care workers, nurses spend the most face-to-face time with patients, becoming familiar with their needs and providing support throughout the treatment process.
6. Nurse Work Schedule Flexibility
In the classroom, contracted hours usually begin early in the morning and extend into the late afternoon. Then, you will likely bring home grading and lesson planning. While it is business as usual for the students, the nursing field offers alternative schedules.
Nurses in a hospital setting can choose to work the morning, evening or night shift. Each nurse has their preference and can attempt to orient their shifts around their schedule and lifestyle. Some nurses prefer the fast-paced action of a day shift, while others prefer the night shift and choose to sleep during the day. Nurses are also more flexible in their choice of vacation and sick days.
7. Making an Impact
Nurses and teachers share a desire to make an impact in the world by serving others. While it is a different sort of impact, it is still felt by those with whom you interact daily.
Nurses change lives in a variety of different ways. They help save lives, provide comfort in patients’ last days, make people’s lives more livable, help relieve pain and much more. Nurses have been rated as the most trusted profession in the US for 21 years, and it is well-earned with their impact on the world and people’s lives.
Why Choose Notre Dame ABSN
Regarding our ABSN, you can complete your core nursing courses online through a hybrid or on-campus option (via our Baltimore location). No matter the course delivery option, you’ll receive the same quality 15-month nursing education taught by experienced, highly supportive instructors.
If you’re ready to switch from teacher to nurse or want to learn more about our ABSN in Baltimore, contact our admissions team today!