Would I be mental to re-train in teaching after being a nurse?

[queenofwandss]

That really. I have been a nurse for 14 years and have done a few roles all in the community. I am a band 6.
Financially, I would have to wait before I can afford to retrain as a teacher, which is no bad thing because I need to think it through properly. When I have suggested this to colleagues and family most people say I am mad! Out of the frying pan into the fire and all that. Ideally I would like to teach English literature but maybe child development (nursing field) or textiles (my hobby).
Any words of wisdom?

Could you be a school nurse, easier hours, summer off?

I think you should go for it!

My first thought on seeing your thread title was "frying pan, fire", so interesting that others have already raised that to you...

Would you look into nursing lecturer roles? No need to retrain, keep your pin, still teaching?

Yes absolutely mad !! I’m a teacher and debated doing the reverse snd training as a nurse.
You will have no work life balance. Sorry !

Not at all crazy My mother did this - was a nurse for years (hospital and then geriatric in nursing homes) and then retrained as a teacher (primary) in her mid/late 30’s. She kept her nursing registration for a few years and did bank work and / substitute teaching to fit around having kids then moved to full time teaching when we were a bit older.

At least as a nurse when your shift ends you are finished for the day. Teachers at primary and secondary level usually take a LOT home with them, and put in many hours beyond what they're contracted..

Gove gave the boot to Textiles at GCSE.

l taught it for 25 years. I left teaching because it’s stressful and horrible.

Dont do it.

My daughters best friend is doing textiles at gcse this year.. z

No work life balance ? What do you do with the half terms , summer holidays , Xmas , Easter ???

Teaching has changed since then though. I started teaching in the 80s and it was a lovely job then and compatible with family life. It isn't now.

You would be completely and utterly bonkers to do it!

I can't say what nursing is like, as I've never done it, but it is no wonder that a majority of teachers leave the profession within the first five years. The constant stress that you're under, the "never feeling good enough", worrying about your children when they go home (even if they're already under the care of social services), the lesson observations, the neurotic head teachers if you're in an OFSTED "Outstanding" school, the long hours (no, it's not a 9-3 job and you might as well forget that holidays exist because your classroom needs its boards re-decorating and your TA won't help you with it), the amount of stuff you take home, and the e-mails that you're clearly meant to read ASAP because nobody needs sleep...

Seriously, I wouldn't do it. I loved the children, but hated dealing with the parents (because it is OK to scream at your children's teachers, seemingly...) and more senior members of staff. It put me off teaching for life.

There's no reason why not if it's what you really want but perhaps there are options in between if you're not sure, nursing teaching, school nursing, or practice nursing (similar hours and less travel than community?).

If you don't mind me saying, I don't get the impression you have massive pull towards teaching or a particular subject (not saying all teachers must have this but you are asking whether it seems a great idea when you're already established). May I ask what's driving you here both from nursing and to teaching?

Oh, or research nursing?

All the work you don't get time to do between 7.30am and at least 9pm at night and by working both days at the weekend. If by chance you can squeeze in some days off, you usually use them for collapsing in a heap. It's ridiculous how much work teachers are expected to do outside of their contracted (paid) hours just to keep the show on the road.

I'm another who immediately thought 'frying pan - fire'. I suppose at least you'll already be familiar with the petty bullying and government over-intervention that is routine in the state sectors.

Not a thing anymore.

One of my newly qualified colleagues is an ex teacher. She can’t believe all the free time she gets!

Must be Art GCSE. Unless you’re in Wales. They were allowed to stay as it was for some reason.

I know DT Textiles was given the boot. I spent 1/2 a year trying to teach the hideous new course and gave up.

School nurses are still a thing, but they have another title I think. There was one in my previous school called a health advisor or something like that.

I know someone who went from nursing to cover supervisor. Pay isn't as good as teaching but there is none of the planning, marking etc and less pastoral stuff to deal with

All the crap you can’t get done between 8 and 5 during the week with no time off allowed.
Dentist, doctor's, car mot/repairs, moving, decorating, seeing friends whose wedding, long weekend birthday you missed.

The holidays sound great but they are always the busy, expensive time of year. They are not in addition to that cheeky Friday, Monday or early finish you need off in most jobs.

Yes you would

I wouldn't recommend it.

Why do you want to leave nursing?
What is it about teaching you think you will enjoy?

Tell me you don't know any teachers without telling me you don't know any teachers.

Don’t do it…!