I need insight on Nursing, Pharmacy, Teaching, or any jobs that deal with children.

[coolshannie]

Well, I am currently majoring in Elementary Education, but I've only just finished my first semester of college. I think this is a job I would really enjoy, and I've really grown up viewing this job through my mom as she is a teacher, but I worry that maybe I would enjoy doing something else more. I really think I want to work with children or do something that involves helping others. I really hate science and math, but am a very hard worker, so if I had to do a lot of science and math to get to a career I was going to love then maybe I shouldn't be so afraid to try, if I figure out that something else really interests me. I realize just hearing other people's stories about different careers isn't going to really show me what that career is all about, but it could help me figure out what still really interests me or what I have never considered. So if you would, I'd love to hear about Teaching, Nursing, any career dealing with children, and maybe even Pharmacy. I don't think I'd enjoy pharmacy, but I honestly don't know what is entails on a day to day basis and I'd love to find out!

 

[klfrech]

I have been teaching now for 5 years (a second career for me...I'm 48 years old) and absolutely love my job!! I teach 3rd grade (but have taught 1st and 5th) and I can't imagine doing anything more rewarding. Don't get me wrong...I work my butt off, have sleepless nights over my students, and my weekends aren't really my own many times, but I love it.

Think about this...without teachers, none of those other careers that you mentioned would even be possible. Second to a child's parents, we are the most important people in their lives (an awesome responsibility, but absolutely rewarding).

 

[Blueeyes101817]

I am in my 2nd year of teaching Kindergarten and I love it. There is a ton of paperwork, I worry about my students, and work late many nights, but I wouldnt trade it. I love working with the kids everyday. As much as I love being on winter break right now, I do miss my students and am looking forward to getting back t owork with them!

 

[rabyoga]

I'm in my 4th year of teaching (a second career for me/my first was mom-aerobics instructor). I LOVE it! Everyday is an adventure. I love the kids; but I don't like dealing with parents (not all parents just crazy ones). The paper work is more than I thought it would be and gets more and more... But helping kids love learning is so worth it!

 

[HsvTeacher]

I'm in my 13th year of teaching. I have taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades. (Currently teaching 2nd...) Like PPs have said, there are a lot of extra hours, a lot of paperwork, a lot of sleepless nights, etc. It's a hard job that is emotionally and physically draining, and people don't always respect you.

That being said, I wouldn't dream of doing anything else! I love my students, and I love my job. Just think, in 13 years, I have taught about 240 students. How many jobs affect that many people?

 

[coolshannie]

I honestly know that I would love teaching. I think what scares me the most is that I don't want to have to be dependent on my parents or anyone else and I know it will be extremely hard for me to be financially independent at first. I know that no matter what career I chose I wanted to work with children, but I sometimes I wonder if I should choose something else where I still get to help a child, but not have to worry about being financially unstable... at first. I feel ridiculous for evening thinking about this again. I realize that once I get a masters degree I will make more money, and that over time teachers do get raises, but I am so worried about those first couple of years. On another note I wonder if perhaps I would enjoy something like being a nurse for a children's doctors office or a nurse that works in the neonatal department for premature babies as I was one myself and I think that could be rewarding and a wonderful experience as well. I know nobody can tell me what I should be, it's just so difficult some days to really know what I want to do with the rest of my life.
Thank you for the responses by the way, I love when I hear how much teachers love their jobs. It was always apparent to me, especially in high school which of my teachers loved their jobs and their students. Those teachers were the ones that really taught me important lessons for life.

 

[minkydog]

On another note I wonder if perhaps I would enjoy something like being a nurse for a children's doctors office or a nurse that works in the neonatal department for premature babies as I was one myself and I think that could be rewarding and a wonderful experience as well.

I know nobody can tell me what I should be, it's just so difficult some days to really know what I want to do with the rest of my life.
Thank you for the responses by the way, I love when I hear how much teachers love their jobs. It was always apparent to me, especially in high school which of my teachers loved their jobs and their students. Those teachers were the ones that really taught me important lessons for life.

I've been a nurse 32 years, 10 years in NICU & PICU,15 years in general peds. Nursing is a very hard job with demanding hours and demanding patients. In peds nursing 80% of your job is dealing with the parents and about 20% actually dealing with the children. You will be a diplomat, maid, playmate,teacher, oh, and nurse every day.

I think you have to ask yourself "Do I like working with cranky, uncooperative, stinky, unreasonable and sick people who may or may not comply with treatment?" Not everybody can. In peds there's a lot of body fluids. Now, I wouldn't necessarily decide NOT to be a nurse based on aversion to vomit or blood. Those things can be overcome if you really love working with sick people. But remember that the majority of your time you will be working long, demanding hours with people who are emotional and not at their best. If that appeals to you(and it did to me!) then go for it.

NICU and PICU are particularly hard to get into, especially as a new graduate. Most NICUs require at least a year or two of general peds or ER experience. It is an extremely demanding job, one in which you will inflict pain on very tiny, sick infants and will fight like hell to keep them from dying. I loved the NICU, but in the end I had to leave it because the responsibilities began causing me a lot of anxiety and depression.

Do you know any nursing students? Perhaps you can hang with them for a few weeks. Nursing school is highly competative, so you will want to make the highest grades possible. There is a lot of science and maths. Most of that has to be out of the way before you even enter the nursing program, so if you think it might appeal to you, start them now. When I started college I had no intention of being a nurse. But I had a (rather dumb) roommate who was a nursing student and she had me drill her every evening. Pretty soon it was clear to me that I was enjoying it more and learning more than she was! So I switched to nursing. And it has for the most part been a rewarding experience. I have never regretted being a nurse.

 

[scottishduffy]

Nursing is wonderful, I have loved it immensely. However, I agree with the person above. *Especially* when doing peds.

I remember a short time in peds. Some children are there because their parents put them there. Children who are victims of abuse(saw a kid die from this), a mom who wants a vacation so takes her kid off of the seizure meds so they have to be hospitalized for a few days , some parents who are completely uncooperative with trying to keep their child healthy. I loved the kids but the situations can get to you fast. There are many wonderful parents and families out there but it seems to be the other people who you remember the most.

The pediatric oncology ward was actually the happiest place and I loved it. Hardly any abuse victims there. However, when you do peds oncology you have to be learn to accept the fact that not everyone gets a chance to grow up.

It is an extraordinarily rewarding career where you can make a huge difference. The children are absolutely wonderful and resilient little people. Just make sure you can handle everything you will have to see there and get a tough skin.

 

[helloirishkitty]

Well I'm a pharmacist, and I work in a childrens psychiatric facility. I see my patients everyday, but I am never one on one with them. I compound drugs, dispense them, work with insurance companies, and work out treatment plans with the psychiatrists/therapists in my facility. You also have to cross check all of the medication a patient before dispensing a new one to make sure there are no reactions when the drugs are mixed.

My job isn't the norm though, and a lot of pharmacists can't choose JUST to work with children. Most community pharmacists work with all ages because they service all ages. Clinical pharmacists can specialize in peds but you don't work directly with the patients most of the time, pharmacy is a lot more behind-the-scenes than nursing. Very rarely are you administering any of the drugs yourself, you just compound (if necessary) and dispense.

In order to be a licensed pharmacist, you need to have a PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy). You used to only need a Bachelors degree but the laws have changed. I did a 2 + 4 program (2 years of undergrad, 4 years of professional) and was in school for 6 years. After I got out of school, I did a year as a clinical resident and then another year as a psychiatric clinical resident. Pharmacy school admissions are EXTREMELY competitive so make sure to keep your grades up.

I love my job and it's very rewarding. You can PM me if you have any questions. I love trying to recruit new pharmacists!

 

[NikiM20]

I am a teachers aide with special needs pre-k, and I am currently in night school to get my degree. I LOVE special ed. I was so nervous when I first started but now I would rather work with special ed than typical children. It is also very rewarding!!

 

[SnowWhite607]

Teaching is a great and very rewarding career, I have been doing it for 11 years. It is also a good career for a mom since you usually get off the same holidays as your children. Oh and dont forget the bonus of summers off!

Nothing makes me feel better than a nice hug from a student (I teach kindergarten) or hearing about how well a student has done in the following grades and knowing its because you provided him/her with a good foundation.

 

[mom2grace]

You are very smart to be thinking about this NOW, and not in 7 more semesters.

I teach elementary education at a university, and I am also a nursing student working on a BSN. (Mid-life crisis #1)

You need to talk to as many nurses, teachers, pharmacists, etc as you can. Spend a day with each of them so you can get a bird's eye view.

I worked for a year as a secretary in a PICU just to make sure I could do it/would like it/etc before I started. I have a family and their sacrifices to consider.

Nursing is much more flexible and there is a lot more you can do career-wise. I have a ton of friends who were nurses the first time around, and now are teachers. I am moving in the opposite direction.

Remember that you can change careers at 40, so don't feel like you are necessarily making in life long commitment.

Good luck!!!

 

[mominwestlake]

I was a teacher before taking a break to stay home with my children. I really loved teaching and hope to return to it. However, at least in my area (Ohio), there are very few teaching jobs to be found. I know at least 5 young adults now with teaching degrees who can't find jobs. My niece lives in Indiana and also couldn't find a teaching job in a public school. She is at a catholic school and doesn't make enough to leave her parents' household. You can have a passion for a career but if you can't find a job, that is a problem.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

As far as being financially stable:

I am a first year teacher and own my own home. I am able to pay my mortage and all my bills by myself and still have more than enough left over to enjoy myself. The great thing about teaching is that you can easily get a second job in the summer or over holidays to help out with expense.

 

[coolshannie]

Thank you all so much for your replies; they were very insightful! The type of pharmacy that was described sounds amazing, but as you said not something that is the norm. As far as nursing that sounds just about as interesting to me as teaching; which it never really has before! I suppose I always thought of nurses as those who give the children their shots and leave, but I see there is so much more to it then that, whether it involves children or not and that seems extremely interesting. Teaching is something I have always been interested in as I love to work with children, whether it is story time, making a craft, or learning math or science. And I might even be a nerd for thinking the new Smart Boards would make it all the more fun... I know teaching is something I would love, as far as being in so many children's lives and teaching them something that will eventually allow them to grow as a person and figure out what they will do with their lives, the time off is always a plus, and you are right the time off would allow me to get other jobs if need be. As far as jobs being difficult to come by, my parents have suggested I minor in Special Education as unfortunately this is a place that our area needs jobs in, but it would definitely be a rewarding place to be as a teacher as well! I realize I can change my career later in life as well, and who knows maybe I will if I never make up my mind...

 

[tasha99]

Don't forget to consider speech language pathology. I'm working on my masters right now--wish I'd thought of it sooner since I had to do a year of postbac work to get up to speed. Funny thing was half the people in my classes last year were postbac. It's a field that doesn't seem to be so well known considering how many people come to it after getting their BA in something else.

 

[RachelNinja]

This is my 3rd year teaching middle school (6th-8th grade). I teach a variety of subjects including math and English Language Arts since I'm in a small private school. I am definitely overworked and underpaid. However, I can't imagine myself doing anything else. Yeah, I know eventually I'll probably move to a public school, but at the moment, I am happy.

It is a lot of hard work because I teach the grades that are tested by the states. I feel the extra pressure to prepare them because I feel as if it's a reflection on me. However, I spent my entire life correcting friends' essays (even on this vacation break, I'm helping a church friend edit his personal statement for grad school), so it only made sense that I would want this new generation to be good writers too! I tutored in school and even went to friends' houses after school to tutor. I think there was a part of me that always acted like a teacher before I even knew I would be one!

Everyone around me saw it in me. I didn't believe them. My mom and other people at church said that I had the gift of teaching. Again, it took me a long time to believe them. Are there people you are close to that you can talk to about this? People who see your skills in action or how you communicate with others? For example, I have a friend who is now a nurse. She LOVES it, and throughout college my friends and I would always tells her that she would be an excellent nurse. Another friend is working with troubled teens as she was a psych major. We knew from the start that she would be an excellent psychologist. They weren't sure that they would make it through their programs after college, but everyone around them just KNEW that that was their area of expertise.

Anyway, with regard to teaching, I have it on my Facebook profile that the best thing about my job is that I get to be weird in front of my students! I am extremely animated, and I jump around, make extremely odd faces, and reenact certain scenes from the novels we're reading. I make up word problems using Disney-related things for math too. I don't know what other job would let me incorporate so much Disney in my everyday life!

It is tiring. I don't think any teacher will tell you that it's an easy job, but the rewards are worth it. I look at my friends who are making twice the amount I'm making for less work and stress (once they leave work, they're done with work OR they'll get overtime). For teachers, the rewards are not financial ones. My life is on hold right now because my DBF and I can't afford to get married so I understand why you would worry about being dependent on your parents. However, I know that when I'm old and gray, I can say that I am satisfied with how I chose to life my life as a teacher.

 

[englishteacha]

I've taught middle school for 8 years. It is possible to be financially independent as a beginning teacher. We actually lived on just my income as a first year teacher because my DH was finishing his degree! I like my job, most of the time. Another option you could consider would be a children's librarian.

If I could figure out a job where I could just work with kids and be a good role model and be paid for it, that would be swell. No grading, no paperwork, no cranky parents...it's a dream but it's a nice dream!

 

[laurie31]

You might really enjoy teaching in a Children's Hospital. Ours has a fully accredited school and patients who attend are not counted absent at their local schools. The teachers coordinate their lesson plans with the kids' "regular" teachers. This keeps kids with chronic illnesses or long-term admissions (such as burns, cystic fibrosis, cancer, organ transplants) from failing due to excessive absences. They also plan arts and crafts and therapeutic play for all hospitalized children. Those not physically able to come to an activity room can have activities brought to their rooms.

Google "child life specialist" and see what you think.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

As far as nursing that sounds just about as interesting to me as teaching; which it never really has before! I suppose I always thought of nurses as those who give the children their shots and leave, but I see there is so much more to it then that, whether it involves children or not and that seems extremely interesting.

This doesn't even touch the tip of the iceburg of what professional nursing entails. It's kind of like saying a mother changes diapers and leaves. No, quite a bit more to it than that. Though admittedly, the public often doesn't know exactly what it is that we do.

Long ago, nurses were people, usually women, that assisted doctors with things in their quest to take care of patients. Nursing has evolved into a separate and unique profession in its own right, with its own body of research and scope of practice. Sure, we work together with other members of the health care team. But our focus is on the patient's response to their illness. And in order to get to each patient's response to their illness, we need to delve into a lot of other things about any given patient. This is called an assessment and as nurses, we assess all systems of each patient and family, etc. Then we plan the care and intervene with whatever it is the situation calls for - that could be teaching or any number of things. Then we evaluate our interventions using patient feedback and other methods. There's a lot to it. It's called the Nursing Process. Here's a little glimpse into what it is we do. You'll probably find the website helpful if you want to look into it more. http://www.nursingworld.org/EspeciallyForYou/StudentNurses/Thenursingprocess.aspx

FWIW, my experience with teaching and nursing is that these are very people oriented, "hands on" positions. Pharmacy is kind of a different animal, IMO. Sure, some pharmacists work with people. But in a hospital, say, their patient (and staff) interaction is pretty limited, at least compared to that of nurses (and teachers). You will probably need to look pretty closely at what type of person you are and whether you really want to be hands on or not.

I worked in a pediatric hospital early in my career. There is something special about it. I had an experience recently that really touched my heart as a nurse. Long story, but basically, I had occasion to observe a nurse working with a baby. They did not speak the same language, and the baby was afraid of the nurse at first. So the nurse sung to the baby (several verses of a song, tenderly like a parent would), and the baby stopped crying. The nurse was then able to do what he had to do with the baby and mother. It may sound trivial, but believe me, it wasn't. It takes skill to work with babies and children who are sick, in pain and/or afraid, especially when there are extra challenges like language or other things. And remember, you don't deal with just a child in the hospital or clinic, you deal with the parent(s) as well, so that's something that's important to recognize before you go into the field. My advice if you go into nursing would be to get a position in a pediatrics department to see if it's something you'd like to do long term.

HTH. Good luck.