The Student Room Group

Which one should I choose

I’m struggling to choose between children’s nursing or primary school teaching. I have a couple of pros and cons.

Some advantages of becoming a primary school teacher:
I enjoy marking books, doing paperwork, planning lessons, and making PowerPoints. I love going on school trips and exploring new places. I enjoy arts and crafts, laminating, and creating classroom resources. I like teaching subjects such as History, French, ICT, Maths, and English.
I love making Christmas decorations and celebrating different festivals. I also really enjoy after-school clubs since they’re a bit quieter.

Some of my disadvantages:
I dislike teaching PE, especially if there’s no PE teacher available. School trips can make me anxious I worry about losing a child in crowded places. Some Maths lessons can be difficult since I hate Maths, though I can prepare in advance. I strongly dislike working with children who have autism or PDA, as I find it challenging. I also don’t enjoy working in nursery or reception (play-based learning isn’t for me).
I prefer teaching Year 3 or 4, but I’m unsure if schools would accept my preferences.
I hate having to be energetic all the time, playing games, or being on the playground. I also really dislike assemblies, going to theme parks on trips, and sports day.
In the past, I had to work with autistic children who were non-verbal and had PDA, and they were really hard to work with always rolling their eyes at me and showing attitude.

Here are some of my pros for working as a children’s nurse:
There are many pathways oncology, ICU, theatre, GP, or emergency. I like the idea of helping and saving children’s lives. I don’t mind meeting new patients or families every day. I’d enjoy duties like feeding, making beds, reading to children, and giving medication.
I like that emotional engagement is mainly needed for babies or younger children. I also love doing night shifts and morning shifts, but night shifts are my favourite. For someone who has social anxiety and burns out easily, I find night shifts much calmer. Anytime I’ve gone to A&E at night when I’m sick, I’ve always found it very relaxing. I’ve always liked going to hospitals they just don’t feel as crowded at night.

The only disadvantage of being a nurse is that there’s a higher legal responsibility. If I accidentally give the wrong medication, even unintentionally, I could literally go to jail. That’s my biggest concern, so I’d have to be extremely careful in my job.

Reply 1

Original post
by bingbangdiggery
I’m struggling to choose between children’s nursing or primary school teaching. I have a couple of pros and cons.
Some advantages of becoming a primary school teacher:
I enjoy marking books, doing paperwork, planning lessons, and making PowerPoints. I love going on school trips and exploring new places. I enjoy arts and crafts, laminating, and creating classroom resources. I like teaching subjects such as History, French, ICT, Maths, and English.
I love making Christmas decorations and celebrating different festivals. I also really enjoy after-school clubs since they’re a bit quieter.
Some of my disadvantages:
I dislike teaching PE, especially if there’s no PE teacher available. School trips can make me anxious I worry about losing a child in crowded places. Some Maths lessons can be difficult since I hate Maths, though I can prepare in advance. I strongly dislike working with children who have autism or PDA, as I find it challenging. I also don’t enjoy working in nursery or reception (play-based learning isn’t for me).
I prefer teaching Year 3 or 4, but I’m unsure if schools would accept my preferences.
I hate having to be energetic all the time, playing games, or being on the playground. I also really dislike assemblies, going to theme parks on trips, and sports day.
In the past, I had to work with autistic children who were non-verbal and had PDA, and they were really hard to work with always rolling their eyes at me and showing attitude.
Here are some of my pros for working as a children’s nurse:
There are many pathways oncology, ICU, theatre, GP, or emergency. I like the idea of helping and saving children’s lives. I don’t mind meeting new patients or families every day. I’d enjoy duties like feeding, making beds, reading to children, and giving medication.
I like that emotional engagement is mainly needed for babies or younger children. I also love doing night shifts and morning shifts, but night shifts are my favourite. For someone who has social anxiety and burns out easily, I find night shifts much calmer. Anytime I’ve gone to A&E at night when I’m sick, I’ve always found it very relaxing. I’ve always liked going to hospitals they just don’t feel as crowded at night.
The only disadvantage of being a nurse is that there’s a higher legal responsibility. If I accidentally give the wrong medication, even unintentionally, I could literally go to jail. That’s my biggest concern, so I’d have to be extremely careful in my job.

Hi @bingbangdiggery

This is a big decision and both are really good career options!

I am currently training to be a primary school teacher, however I had considered nursing before this. Personally, I chose education because I really enjoy working with children and feel passionate about ensuring that they all get a good education. Before I started I was nervous about teaching some subjects, however through a combination of lectures and placement experiences, I now feel a lot more confident.

If you can get some work experience, I would really recommend it! This will help you to learn more about the realities of both roles and decide whether it is something that you think you would enjoy. Additionally, I would recommend going to some open days so that you can learn more about the courses, what they include, and what you would be expected to do on them.

Hope that helps!

Sophie.
BCU Student Rep.

Reply 2

Original post
by bingbangdiggery
I’m struggling to choose between children’s nursing or primary school teaching. I have a couple of pros and cons.
Some advantages of becoming a primary school teacher:
I enjoy marking books, doing paperwork, planning lessons, and making PowerPoints. I love going on school trips and exploring new places. I enjoy arts and crafts, laminating, and creating classroom resources. I like teaching subjects such as History, French, ICT, Maths, and English.
I love making Christmas decorations and celebrating different festivals. I also really enjoy after-school clubs since they’re a bit quieter.
Some of my disadvantages:
I dislike teaching PE, especially if there’s no PE teacher available. School trips can make me anxious I worry about losing a child in crowded places. Some Maths lessons can be difficult since I hate Maths, though I can prepare in advance. I strongly dislike working with children who have autism or PDA, as I find it challenging. I also don’t enjoy working in nursery or reception (play-based learning isn’t for me).
I prefer teaching Year 3 or 4, but I’m unsure if schools would accept my preferences.
I hate having to be energetic all the time, playing games, or being on the playground. I also really dislike assemblies, going to theme parks on trips, and sports day.
In the past, I had to work with autistic children who were non-verbal and had PDA, and they were really hard to work with always rolling their eyes at me and showing attitude.
Here are some of my pros for working as a children’s nurse:
There are many pathways oncology, ICU, theatre, GP, or emergency. I like the idea of helping and saving children’s lives. I don’t mind meeting new patients or families every day. I’d enjoy duties like feeding, making beds, reading to children, and giving medication.
I like that emotional engagement is mainly needed for babies or younger children. I also love doing night shifts and morning shifts, but night shifts are my favourite. For someone who has social anxiety and burns out easily, I find night shifts much calmer. Anytime I’ve gone to A&E at night when I’m sick, I’ve always found it very relaxing. I’ve always liked going to hospitals they just don’t feel as crowded at night.
The only disadvantage of being a nurse is that there’s a higher legal responsibility. If I accidentally give the wrong medication, even unintentionally, I could literally go to jail. That’s my biggest concern, so I’d have to be extremely careful in my job.

Hello,

Try and get a teaching assistant experience or even just shadowing for a few days and you can also volunteer at children's hospital for a few days and see how the nurses' usual day goes. Also, go to open days and listen to subject talks for both teaching and nursing, and talk to members of staff and specifically students, they will give you an insight of their placement on a day-to-day basis.

All the best
-Sarah (Kingston Rep)

Reply 3

I'd definitely agree with the above points - visiting universities and listening to lecturers subject talks can be really helpful! If you are stuck between two, work experience/volunteering can also be useful in working out exactly what it is you like/prefer about each, as they can be very different professions!

Beth
University of Sunderland student rep
BA Primary Education/MA SEND

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