[brian]

About 100 high school students with an interest in health care might someday help solve the nation's shortage of nurses.



But they might be slowed by a related problem — a shortage of people who are qualified to teach nursing.

Administrators have had trouble finding a permanent teacher for the students, who are taking introductory classes on nursing and other health careers. The classes are held at Pitman High School, and include students from Turlock High School.

Don Wilkins, who oversees the program for the Turlock Unified School District, said he advertised the job in The Bee and two other newspapers, without success.

The fall semester started last week, led by a substitute teacher without a background as a nursing educator. Someone with that ability, and a registered nurse degree, will be needed if the students are to complete the yearlong program, which is supposed to include a second semester shadowing workers at Emanuel Medical Center and other health care sites.

The problem, Wilkins said, is that the nursing shortage has boosted the pay that professionals can get as full-time caregivers — beyond the salary for the Pitman job. It is being advertised at $41,360 to $78,395 a year, depending on qualifications.

Nancy Clark, chairwoman of the nursing department at California State University, Stanislaus, said Pitman's situation is not unique.

"Part of the reason for the nursing shortage is a faculty shortage," she said. "There aren't enough people to educate the nurses."

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing, in a survey last year, found that 76 percent of the responding schools had to turn away prospective students because of a lack of teachers. The survey report stated that too few nursing educators were being groomed to replace those expected to retire in the next few years. Higher pay for practicing nurses was cited as a key reason.

Full Story: Turlock calls out for nurse educator [Modesto Bee,CA]

[Jessy_RN]

Wish that someday there won't be a shortage of educators.

[hipab4hands]

Originally Posted by JessicaGmz

Wish that someday there won't be a shortage of educators.

Things haven't changed f in years. When I was in nursing school many years ago, the situation was the same. They had only 3 Nurse Educators on payroll, and then would hire temporary help. The temporary help would usually stay for no more than a semester , then move on. At one point, they almost had to cancel our nursing program due to a lack of instructors.

The main issue is salary. You can make more money working elsewhere. I'm currently making more than the offered salary at the college, and I only work part time.

[Jessy_RN]

Originally Posted by hipab4hands

Things haven't changed f in years. When I was in nursing school many years ago, the situation was the same. They had only 3 Nurse Educators on payroll, and then would hire temporary help. The temporary help would usually stay for no more than a semester , then move on. At one point, they almost had to cancel our nursing program due to a lack of instructors.

The main issue is salary. You can make more money working elsewhere. I'm currently making more than the offered salary at the college, and I only work part time.

Wow, I see the problem then

[suebird3]

My school was quoted in the Spectrum just a fewweeks ago; I guess it all boils down to $$$$. Saint Xavier's is a private college, and pay is lower. I would go on to teach, but to be honest, I don't have the time, money, or patience. Plus, I would miss my little old people too much.

[teelee]

I believe this. I want to teach and in another state I did for 2 years. Where I am now they say I need a master's degree. I have been checking it out and even though I have 25 years of expierence I need the equivelent of 6 more years of school. No wonder there is a shortage.

[MissJoRN]

Originally Posted by hipab4hands

Things haven't changed f in years. When I was in nursing school many years ago, the situation was the same. They had only 3 Nurse Educators on payroll, and then would hire temporary help. The temporary help would usually stay for no more than a semester , then move on. At one point, they almost had to cancel our nursing program due to a lack of instructors.

The main issue is salary. You can make more money working elsewhere. I'm currently making more than the offered salary at the college, and I only work part time.

Warning- long rant coming!

And I know this is a sort of petty issue but here's what bugs me- on the grad school level each major has it's own cost per credit which is roughly based on the salary of workers in that major- since many masters prepared RNs are admins, NPs, CNSs, and even CRNAs the cost per credit for a nursing masters is much higher than (for instance) a masters in education- Even if your MSN focus is education. See what I mean?
I have to pay the same tuition as nurses who will be able to make much more than me? Why can't classes like "NU 630 Nurse Education Models" for instance be cheaper? And why (!) does it seem like nobody is doing anything to help the nurse-educator hopefulls? A few years ago, all kinds of incentives were being offered at the community (county) to the state (and maybe even the national) level to help get people into the nursing field- you can offer all the free tuition you want- there is still a set number of open slots and they are filled! Why not scholarship/grant $ for nurses who want to pursue an MSN-edu? With some assistance (maybe with a signed post-grad commitment, OK!) I could complete the program full-time and be teaching soon, enabling a local college to admit a few more students and graduate a few more nurses! Does anyone know of such grants? I have looked but come up empty.
BTW- I paid full cost, out-of-pocket for my nursing education because at that time I was under 25, and although I lived on my own, in my own apartment, and had worked full-time to support myself as a CNA for a couple years I was still considered a "dependent" of my parents just based on age, therefore, since they had considerable assets (on paper- long story) I was eligible for no aid. So, yes, by now I feel a little "entitled", LOL. (and that's a whole'nother rant I'm sure you don't want me to start Yes, I will be careful not to sprain my ankle now jumping off this soapbox! )

[Coll]

I am a nurse educator, and totally overwhelmed with the needs of students. Way too many students, way too little help, staff and clerical support. I work 60 hour weeks during the school year to get papers graded, meet students for labs, coach groups through clinicals, exams, demonstrations. I'm tired. Students are totally stressed out and blame colleges for not hiring more teachers, but I tell them they will make more money than I do with an associate's degree. I've got a graduate degree in nursing education, and beginning to wonder why I just didn't stay within the ranks!