Career Change

I think the first thing you should do is talk to a career planner. See what sort of need there is for the positions you're considering. It's hard to find jobs these days, so you might just be out of luck with finding an opening in those fields. You also have to take into consideration that you'll be starting from scratch. You'll lose any accumulated vacation time, sick days, etc etc. At a new job those don't usually start until you've been there a year. Then there's the medical benefits to consider, which also have a waiting period at a new job. Not to mention money. Is it going to be more or less money to switch careers. Obviously going to school will cost some money. Can you afford that? Can you afford a decrease in pay if that's what it calls for. Since you're already an RN, have you considered changing careers in your current field that wouldn't require more schooling. Perhaps you could be an elementary school nurse or a home health aide or something along those lines. There's lots of options. But considering the economy, my main bit of advice would be not to quit your current job without something else lined up. I don't know what else you have for income... like if your s/o works... and if their job is guaranteed, there have been a lot of lay offs lately, so you might want to think of that as well. What if you quit to go to school and your other source of income falls through. Lots and lots to consider. But I'm sure you'll make the right choice. Good Luck.

I've read that the medical field is the most secure right now but teachers are always needed, too. Check out the hiring situation in your area and see where the opportunities are. My personal opinion is that, if you're going to go into teaching, you would earn more teaching at the college level and most likely wouldn't be as subject to budget cuts. There's a risk involved with any career change but you can always go back to nursing if teaching doesn't work out.