Career change from nursing to teaching. Is it possible?

[Ralph871]

I went to uni straight from school to study adult nursing and after 15 years I feel I'm ready for a change. I have wanted to work with kids for a few years now and considered health visiting and adolescent mental health however after a friend suggested primary teaching I can't shake the idea that it could be a good move.

I could be way off base but it appears primary teachers have great hours, great holidays, are well paid and well respected (certainly in Scotland where I am currently). From the POV of a critical nurse turned middle level management that sounds like a dream job and the thought of never having to work nightshift, deal with managers that care more about targets than patient care or stress over childcare ever again sounds incredible.

Goes without saying I am aware it wouldn't be an easy transition and it will of course involve further study, volunteering hours and a pay cut initially.

Keen to hear any advice or thoughts really. I'm very much at the start of looking into this.

@Howshouldibehave

The hours appear far better than my current rotating roster of full time 12.5 hour

How many of those shifts do you do a week to count as full time?

I’m often in school doing 11 hour days.

11 hours?!?!

Sounds like a prison not a school

@Quick99

Bit snotty op people are trying to help you and you did ask for information 🙄

What on earth was snotty from OP?!?!

Her responses have been lovely

@Givemebackmylilo it certainly can feel like a prison at times! I regularly do 10 or 11 hour days in school.
I know people don't want to hear it but teaching is hard work, long hours, incredibly stressful and emotionally draining.

@Givemebackmylilo but what about staff meetings, pupil progress meetings, parents evenings, planning meetings - all of these extend well after 4pm? How do you manage those?

I could be way off base but it appears primary teachers have great hours, great holidays, are well paid and well respected

Riiight.... which is why so many teachers want to leave. It is absolutely exhausting teaching 30 children, especially EYFS and KS1. And the hours are much longer than the 9-3 you are probably thinking. I am in school from 7.45 and don't leave till 5pm minimum. I also do planning most weekends. (Obviously unpaid). When it's report writing I write the equivelent of a 20000 words in about 3 weeks! I've spend about 2 weeks in school this holiday.
I am Squeamish so couldn't be a nurse but I would much prefer to do 3 long shifts a week and be done with it!

[quote Macaroni46]@Givemebackmylilo but what about staff meetings, pupil progress meetings, parents evenings, planning meetings - all of these extend well after 4pm? How do you manage those? [/quote]
Our staff meetings are either 3:15-4 or 3:30 until 4:15.

I stay later for the odd evening for parents evening etc, as much as I would love to run out the door 😅

@Givemebackmylilo I want to work at your school! Ours go on for hours! Often 3.30 til 5.15 or starts late so goes on til 5.30 😱

[quote Macaroni46]@Givemebackmylilo I want to work at your school! Ours go on for hours! Often 3.30 til 5.15 or starts late so goes on til 5.30 😱[/quote]
I'm another one sat here wondering how I get a job at Give's school. Mine is amazing compared to most, but Give's school sounds like heaven.

I would say I work broadly similar to @Givemebackmylilo , though I do like to get in early. Things that help are:

• code marking and whole class feedback
• live feedback
• shared planning.

I rarely write comments on students' work.

I left nursing to do a PGCE (already had a subject degree). It was INTENSE. After two weeks, we were writing our own lessons, which takes hours at first, plus the assignments. Plus my mentor went on sick leave and I was used as the supply teacher 🤯. I left halfway through the course and now have my own business. Never been happier.

If you hate nursing, escape while you still can, but I don't think teaching is any better than nursing for the hours, the workload, the middle management, the targets etc.

@sleepyhoglet

I could be way off base but it appears primary teachers have great hours, great holidays, are well paid and well respected

Riiight.... which is why so many teachers want to leave. It is absolutely exhausting teaching 30 children, especially EYFS and KS1. And the hours are much longer than the 9-3 you are probably thinking. I am in school from 7.45 and don't leave till 5pm minimum. I also do planning most weekends. (Obviously unpaid). When it's report writing I write the equivelent of a 20000 words in about 3 weeks! I've spend about 2 weeks in school this holiday.
I am Squeamish so couldn't be a nurse but I would much prefer to do 3 long shifts a week and be done with it!

Sorry @sleepyhoglet but did I not prefix this by saying "i could be way off base"

I'm in Scotland and was an RMN for 15 yrs. Had some health issues and took a temporary TA position in a secondary school which has lasted 10 years...

Don't go into teaching, but do look outside of your current job. My DH is a band 7 in Community bit doesn't do patient care now, just admin. He's looking at ANP jobs as an option. Have you considered that?

Believe it or not (you hear otherwise) there are few teaching jobs in Scotland.

PDGE/degrees then a year probation to come out unemployed. Glasgow city council this year offered permanent supply to those who scored 12/12 at interview, 11/12 got a year contract. After 2 years permanent supply you’d get a permanent contract. Have a research into it- the job scenario is frightening.

However, being a primary teacher is an amazing job and I absolutely love it.

@shg96

Believe it or not (you hear otherwise) there are few teaching jobs in Scotland.

PDGE/degrees then a year probation to come out unemployed. Glasgow city council this year offered permanent supply to those who scored 12/12 at interview, 11/12 got a year contract. After 2 years permanent supply you’d get a permanent contract. Have a research into it- the job scenario is frightening.

However, being a primary teacher is an amazing job and I absolutely love it.

I was quite surprised to hear from friends that it's the same here in some areas. They all trained primary at different times over the past couple of years after wanting to do it but also hearing how in demand primary teachers are; absolutely not the case here. Most of them have now found jobs after deciding a long commute was worthwhile, but I was surprised they didn't walk into roles!

It is a fantastic school I'm at. Staff are valued but more importantly we are trusted which makes a huge difference to our happiness.

It does help that the head worked her way up from TA, so she's seen all sides and understands that figures don't always = a good school