[UnitRN01]

Your responses are instrumental in my career choice: It's either FNP or Nurse Educator for me! So, my question for you is: are you happy with being an educator? The liability issue-is it an issue with educators in the classroom setting, or is this strictly a clinical setting situation? Is there really a huge need for educators? It'll take me 18 months to finish my MSN in education, so I'm looking ahead to the job situation at that time!

I've had an interest in becoming an FNP for awhile, but now that decision-making time is here, I'm looking at the stress levels involved in both careers. The older I get, the less stress I'd like to be involved in! FNP seems to have more stress than being an educator, so clarify that if I'm wrong, please!

Thanks,
UnitRN01

[sirI]

I am NP and an educator. I love both, but my heart is in education.

I carry liabilty insurance as an NP and would definitely carry it as an RN educator as well. As for in classroom liability, not so much. I've personally never known any type of liability issue in the classroom. Not to say there aren't any, but very rare, I'm sure.

Yes, we are desperate for educators at all levels of nursing.

Both career paths are stressful in their own way. One would think that patient care is THE most stressful and I suppose that is probably true. But, in my humble opinion, education is one of the most hardest jobs I have.

A different kind of stress.

Good luck with your decision(s).

[UnitRN01]

Thanks Siri, again, for your wisdom here; I appreciate your response!

Sincerely,
UnitRN01

[sirI]

You are qutie welcome.

[vickynurse]

When I was doing my NP practicum, I also worked as a clinical instructor. Comparing the two roles side by side, it was an easy choice for me to see that my talents were best applied to education. You might try to do something similar.

I do feel that anyone who is teaching should complete the course work specific to nursing education. NP and nurse educator degrees are complementary, but not interchangeable.

[Finn]

I finished my Nurse Educator program last year. I thought about doing the FNP first but I love education. There is a need for educators and in some areas there is a saturation of NPs. Of course now I want to complete the NP part so I can practice. I currently work casual in a ED.

[classicdame]

Have not worked as NP, but enjoy being an educator. There is stress, but usually pertains to deadlines and not making everybody happy at the same time (sounds like nursing!). I work in a hospital, but also work as adjunct faculty for local nursing school and teach NCLEX review courses 3-4 times a year. So there is plenty of variety.