What does it take to become a clinical instructor?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in ER, PACU.

I have been working at times with a student nurse at work, and I love teaching and guiding her, which got me to thinking that maybe I should go into teaching in the future?

My question is, what does it take to be a clinical instructor? Are there any nurses out here who do this who can help me? Do I need to get my Masters in teaching or can I get my NP and then instruct clinically? I would eventually get my masters in nursing ed if I liked the clinical instruction. I am only an RN for a little over 2 years, so I am not planning on doing this anytime soon, just thinking about it as a future plan. Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

A lot depends on what part of the country you are in. I live in central IL and here all clinical instructors must have an MSN - they don't care if the concentration is management and leadership or a clinical nurse specialist or a nurse practitioner. This would be for teaching at the ADN or BSN level.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
I have been working at times with a student nurse at work, and I love teaching and guiding her, which got me to thinking that maybe I should go into teaching in the future?

My question is, what does it take to be a clinical instructor? Are there any nurses out here who do this who can help me? Do I need to get my Masters in teaching or can I get my NP and then instruct clinically? I would eventually get my masters in nursing ed if I liked the clinical instruction. I am only an RN for a little over 2 years, so I am not planning on doing this anytime soon, just thinking about it as a future plan. Thanks in advance!

In order to be an NP, you will have to have an MSN. If you want to teach in an RN or LPN program you will have to have a masters in nursing.

Sounds like you have the itch to teach and that is wonderful. Go for it.

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.
I have been working at times with a student nurse at work, and I love teaching and guiding her, which got me to thinking that maybe I should go into teaching in the future?

My question is, what does it take to be a clinical instructor? Are there any nurses out here who do this who can help me? Do I need to get my Masters in teaching or can I get my NP and then instruct clinically? I would eventually get my masters in nursing ed if I liked the clinical instruction. I am only an RN for a little over 2 years, so I am not planning on doing this anytime soon, just thinking about it as a future plan. Thanks in advance!

The requirements vary greatly from state to state. Best thing is to contact your state board and various schools of nursing in your area. We certainly can use you in our field as there is a critical shortage of nurse educators. There are online Masters in nursing education programs available as well as some generous scholarships.

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Actually, we have several clinical instructors who have only a BSN. They are not full-time faculty, but adjunct instructors.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Actually, we have several clinical instructors who have only a BSN. They are not full-time faculty, but adjunct instructors.

That is correct. I thought you wanted to actually teach in a program. We have BSN adjunct in clinical all the time.

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

Here's how I understand it, where I live:

BSNs can teach ASN and LPN students

MSNs or those working on an MSN can teach BSN students...

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

This is a great link (personal account):

http://www.nlnfoundation.org/scholarships/nlnreflections.pdf

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