MSN at the bedside

Nurses General Nursing

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I've had my MSN (nurse educator) for almost a year now, and while I have been doing some adjunct teaching, my main job, per my personal preference, remains that of a regular bedside staff nurse. Some people think this is odd--that because I have a master's, I "should" be teaching full-time or whatever it is people with a graduate degree do. But I like my job: I work with a great group of people, a unique patient population, and I feel like I'm just hitting my stride clinically (have been an RN for just over 3 years now). I should also point out that I have recently returned to school for my doctorate, and my place of employment has been very supportive and flexible with scheduling. I want to stay where I'm at.

(It bugs me, though, that my place of employment does not offer a differential for MSNs --though there is a BSN differential-- nor for CCRN, which I also have. However, I am participating in a couple of special projects at work. So there is some "official" recognition, I guess.)

Are there any other MSN nurses choosing to work at the bedside?

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I am not one, but I applaud your decision to do what is best for you. Why do people feel they have to have a reason for everything? Well, if you answer that question you will be giving me a reason too.:)

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Specializes in School Nursing.

If you enjoy the education and you enjoy your job...who cares? Tell 'em leave you alone!:lol2:

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Do what makes you happy. I graduated with my MSN (management and leadership) in 2005 and kept working at the bedside (ER) until July 06. Jobs were scarce.

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Why fix what isn't broken? Your love of the bedside will only enrich your other activities, not to mention your patients!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, WCC.

To me, a degree is just a piece of paper. How can anyone teach what they don't know? Experience is needed first and not just a few years. If you are happy where you are, don't let anyone's talking bother you.

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Specializes in Peds, PICU, Home health, Dialysis.

My clinical instructor has her MSN and is still a floor nurse (does clinical teaching 1 day a week) and she has no desire to leave anytime soon. She loves floor nursing.

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Specializes in OR Hearts 10.

I had an instructor that graduated 3 years before me. Only worked part time while getting her masters. You could really tell that she didn't have much "real life" experience in nursing.

Work at the bedside as long as you want to, it will only make you a better teacher.

Good luck.............

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I know a nurse with a PhD. who works bedside. She does also teach sometimes.

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I'm a nursing student, and many of my nursing instructors still work as floor nurses, or in community practice. I personally appreciate their perspectives--they've seen how things change, what stays the same, and they seem to really like still being active in practice. As a student, I've noticed one particular instructor, who is not a current practitioner, sometimes provides information that seems "old"--like she's been giving the same lecture for 15 years and hasn't even read the revised version of our textbook! :uhoh21:

I think it's great that you want to remain active in practice! I hope to do the same!

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Specializes in mostly in the basement.

I think the perception that your path is "odd" will only continue to fall by the wayside.

We are gearing up for thousands of direct entry MSN 'generalist' new grads who will be at the bedside getting their feet wet for quite a while after graduation.

It won't be at all unusual. You should do whatever makes you feel comfortable. In fact, think of yourself as a trailblazer!

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Specializes in PACU, PICU, ICU, Peds, Education.

I had to check to make sure that I hadn't written this post! Except for the years of experience (have a few more on ya there), you could be describing me. I taught for a few years, and enjoyed it. Yet I missed bedside nursing. It has taken years for my family, even the nurses in the family, to stop asking if I ever plan to go back to teaching. They just don't seem to get that I love bedside nursing. I still love to teach as well, and get the opportunity to with students doing externships or management clinicals or with orientees.

Nursing provides so many opportunities. I always say, "If you don't like what you are doing, do something else." That is what you have done. Why apologize for this?

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