I always wanted to be a nurse, but now that I am in college I also thought about being a high school history teacher. In order, to decide which career to consider I am going to explore my options. Deciding which career to chose is crucial because is something you are going to do for life. Both careers require college education plus a bachelor’s degree and additional requirements to be able to work. Therefore, there are four points to consider the education required, job description, salary and position demand. In order, to become a registered nurse you either get an associate’s degree in nursing or a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing.
The most popular program is the associate’s degree in nursing. It takes an average of two to three years to complete. One of the advantages with this path is that once you’ve obtained the degree, you can apply for an entry-level position that offers benefits. The benefits include tuition reimbursement and college credit toward your two-year bachelor’s in nursing degree. This choice also provides valuable hands-on experience in the field while getting an education. Going straight for the bachelor’s program takes four years, and a nursing diploma can take three to five years.
Despite the path, to be able to work a nurse must pass a national licensing examination. On the other hand, a career as a high school history teacher requires that candidates first complete a bachelor’s degree program. The bachelor’s degree is in history and it takes about four years of full-time study. Students working on their bachelor’s degree enter a secondary teacher education program. Teacher education programs prepare students by providing training in common teaching methods. For candidates who do not take a teacher education program there is an alternative licensure that gives applicants a provisional license.
With the provisional license applicants can teach under supervision of a fully licensed teacher. After one or two years, the provisional license will be upgraded if progress is satisfactory. Similarly, to be able to teach history in public schools a pupil personnel services credential is required. A registered nurse job description consists of numerous activities. Registered nurses treat patients, educate patients and the public about various medical conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients’ family members.
RNs record patients’ medical histories and symptoms. As well as help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results. In addition, a registered nurse operates medical machinery, administer treatment and medications. In fact, RNs may be in close contact with individuals who have infectious diseases. For this career, standardized guidelines are vital to prevent accidental neddle sticks and guard against disease and other dangers. Also RNs may work on night, holidays and weekends. On the contrary, a high school history teacher job description is dealing with students.
A history teacher offer students classroom instruction. As well as asses students performance and parents. The state provide teachers the material they will present to the students. History teachers may also be responsible for supervising after-school activities and field trips. Furthermore, history teachers work only during the week, usually from 8:00am to 3:00pm. Still, history teachers might work at home. The reason is because they need to grade assignments and tests. Registered nurse average salaries can vary from state to state. In California a RN annual salary $85,340.
What is more important is the position demand, due to our economy. Overall job opportunities for registered nurses are expected to be excellent depending on employment and place. In fact, some employers have reported difficulty in attracting and retaining registered nurses. Employment of RNs is expected to grow much faster than the average because the occupation is very large. In contrast, a high school history teacher can earn a salary range of $34,600 to $82,000 per year in the state of California. Employment of high school teachers is expected to grow by 13 percent between 2008 and 2018.
Even though, the employment rate will rise history teachers are not in high demand. In Conclusion, to decide what career is better, there are four points to consider the education required, job description, salary and position demand. A registered nurse education takes as much time as a history teacher. Both careers deal with communicating with people. RNs and history teachers differ in the salary and position demand. RNs are in high demand and history teachers are not. Still RNs job is more risky and takes more time away from family. For example RNs work on holidays and teachers do not.