[zacsmimi]

Originally Posted by VickyRN

Welcome, Sarah! My program is totally online (MSN-Nurse Educator concentration) and very student friendly. 36 credit hours total. PM me sometime and I will give you the specifics.
Sounds like you would make a great instructor with all of your experience. And you are right, students do keep you on your toes

Im starting my MSN program - with concentration in Nursing Education- shortly in a distance education program. I have taught CNAs for 6 years... I want to teach nursing at the college level... And Im thrilled to be starting this program. I started the reading last night and scared myself. There must have been 8 new words on the first PAGE! This is going to be a challenge, but I am excited... tell me about your program and your students? It may be the same one... St Joseph's?

[nurse educate]

Originally Posted by ksfrn66

Lecturing took a little bit to get used to though....I also have clinicals on Th/Fr from 8-2p. Have Tuesdays "off" as a planning day. (don't have to go to office).

That's what I'm afraid of...lectures!! My only hope is that I will know more than them. And yes they do keep you on your toes (I see that when I'm working on the floor and the students come to me with so many questions (I really don't mind though).

You mentioned your "day off". I was wondering too, what kind of schedule does a full time professor/instructor have? 4 days, 5 days, does it include evening classes (if the school offers them)? I have so many schedule conflicts right now with childcare, but by the time I start teaching, my daughter will start 1st grade. I'm just hoping it will be a better alternative to 12hr hosp shifts, having maybe a more normal lifestyle.

[vickynurse]

Hi to everyone

I've been a nurse since 1975, mostly med surg & critical care. I've been in education of some sort since 1985 - staff ed, CNA, ASN, LPN. My MSN is Med-surg with double minors in teaching and supervision. I also have a post master's certificate Adult NP. It's great to see so many people who are interested in making nursing education their career specialty. I've loved it all and use all of my education every day.

I am interested to know how cultural competence is being integrated into curriculla across the nation. Is it a separate course, integrated, or ignored? I understand the upcoming NCLEX will be focusing more on this area. Any thoughts?

Good luck to all of you in your education and careers.

Vicky

[diannenurse]

Hello everyone, so nice to read all the awesome nurse comments. I have my Masters in Nursing, with a Clinical Nurse specialist focus in Med/Surg. I will be teaching at the BSN level this Fall in Adult Health: Gero. and Holistic Nursing. My work history includes a Licensed School Nurse while my kids were little....the schedule was perfect. I also had two years med/surg before that. I then did clinic work and management/CNS in residential chemical dependency/detox with adults and adolescents. I am excited about teaching and would appreciate any ideas and support from experienced instructors. Thanks ahead of time.Dianne

[ksfrn66]

Originally Posted by bonemarrowrn

That's what I'm afraid of...lectures!! My only hope is that I will know more than them. And yes they do keep you on your toes (I see that when I'm working on the floor and the students come to me with so many questions (I really don't mind though).

You mentioned your "day off". I was wondering too, what kind of schedule does a full time professor/instructor have? 4 days, 5 days, does it include evening classes (if the school offers them)? I have so many schedule conflicts right now with childcare, but by the time I start teaching, my daughter will start 1st grade. I'm just hoping it will be a better alternative to 12hr hosp shifts, having maybe a more normal lifestyle.

I actually am a full time instructor - this year I will apply for promotion to Assistant (or maybe associate I can never keep it straight!) professor. I do not teach in the BSN program, just the ADN so my day is done by 3 at the latest. I usually start at 9 am, we take an hour lunch and we leave by 3. Gravy job! I luv it!

[nurse educate]

Originally Posted by ksfrn66

I actually am a full time instructor - this year I will apply for promotion to Assistant (or maybe associate I can never keep it straight!) professor. I do not teach in the BSN program, just the ADN so my day is done by 3 at the latest. I usually start at 9 am, we take an hour lunch and we leave by 3. Gravy job! I luv it!

So, you are considered 'full time', and work 4 days a week (or I should say teach 4 days a week)? It is basically a 6hr day? How much time do you need to devote to work while you're not there (ie, tests and those dreaeded CARE PLANS)?

What is the difference between 'instructor' and 'professor' at your school? Where I live, I don't know of any colleges off hand that actually have both ADN and BSN programs. So I will have to choose one or the other when I start looking.

[ksfrn66]

Originally Posted by bonemarrowrn

So, you are considered 'full time', and work 4 days a week (or I should say teach 4 days a week)? It is basically a 6hr day? How much time do you need to devote to work while you're not there (ie, tests and those dreaeded CARE PLANS)?

What is the difference between 'instructor' and 'professor' at your school? Where I live, I don't know of any colleges off hand that actually have both ADN and BSN programs. So I will have to choose one or the other when I start looking.

The difference where I am comes down to years of service for me. I am starting my 3rd year and was hired as an instructor. This year I will be promoted (hopefully - will get a raise if WV has any monies for it) to assistant professor then in the 6th yr associate professor and then 10 yrs professor. It is advantageous to hire in at the lowest rank so then you are eligible for more raises via promotions. I DO spend an hour or 2 a day sometimes with computer stuff for the course and always spend a couple of hours grading papers on w/e. I actually probably do put in 40 hrs a week when you add up work at home and time spent in hospital making assignments. Our BSN is a 2+2 program thru WVU in Morgantown. It is mostly online.

[vickynurse]

Originally Posted by ksfrn66
I actually am a full time instructor - this year I will apply for promotion to Assistant (or maybe associate I can never keep it straight!) professor. I do not teach in the BSN program, just the ADN so my day is done by 3 at the latest. I usually start at 9 am, we take an hour lunch and we leave by 3. Gravy job! I luv it!


I've been in nursing ed for 21 years and have never had a job like that. In fact, I'm lucky to give any attention to my own family during the first couple months of each semester. Furthermore, I am at the clinical sites no later than 6am to assign pts and usually have a one hour commute each way. There a few 6 hr classroom days here and there. Then, when students are on their preceptorships, I'm on call 24/7 for about a month. It is not a cush job, although it is wonderful to have summer and Christmas at home with my family.

[Kokomo]

Thank you for the replys. This is my first teaching position, should I choose to except it. It is a ADN program. I will do clinical instructing with 1st and 2nd year students. Even though I have had alot of experience with hospital nursing I must confess, I am a bit nervous. Always wondering when the question will come that I do not know the answer to. Being the honest smuck that I am, I will tell them that I will have a complete answer in detail the next time we meet. I do not know if this is the right response or not. It is just me. My goal is to encourage and inspire the nurses that pass through. We need so badly to have good nurses that truly enjoy and are proud of their profession and the contribution they make to society. I hope and pray that I will be able to fulfill this goal.

[Kokomo]

I am interested in pursueing my MSN and would like more information, if anyone would care to send it my way. Thank you. I have been informed that it is so much easier now then when I was in school 9 years ago. Much can be done via internet. WOW!