Any professional pointers???

[VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN]

Applying at local community college for ADN nursing faculty position. This is the same community college from which I graduated 6 years ago. Went on to get my BSN (RN-BSN program at local university).

Due to the severe nursing shortage and the fact that the community college has TWO nursing faculty positions to fill, they are willing to accept BSN's for the position with the stipulation that the candidate agrees to pursue a Master's degree. (I believe the state will pay the cost of Master's education for the hiree also :)). I have found a Master's program which I like--at the School of Health and Human Performance at the state university (which is only 30 miles from my house). This would be a Masters of Art in Teaching in Health Education and would supply, upon graduation, a teacher's license to boot!!! The program is mostly online, does not require a master's thesis, and seems very student friendly (I REALLY liked the academic advisor for this program--good "feel" about it all). I had been in a FNP program a few years ago, but dropped, because of personal circumstances (which are MUCH better now) and the fact I really questioned whether FNP was for me. The Master's nursing curriculum at the university doesn't seem to offer much besides FNP-type stuff (phased out nurse specialist programs). I think I am more an education-type person than primary care provider person.

I have yet to go to the job interview--however, application is complete and turned in. I know it would help in the interview to let them know that I already have a Master's program lined up for the fall (have tentatively enrolled in the MAT-Health ED).

Anyway, I would appreciate all insights, advice, pointers that you experienced nurse educators out there could offer me :).

THANK YOU!!!!

[zumalong]

VickyRN--Good luck. My advice is to prepare a short teaching plan for the interview. I have used my skin care talk that has been very successful. (I ask the interviewer(s)--usually a panel--to get comfortable. Then I ask them to refrain from any movement while I give my 5 min speech. I talk about pressure ulcers, then after about 3 minutes I ask the panel how they feel. Most are very uncomfortable--then I explain that this is what I do with my students to get this important message across. Imagine that you had to stay in this position for another 2 hours. )

This technique shows the panel that I can teach and use alternate methods of instruction. My other suggestion is to bring any examples of teaching you have done elsewhere. Patient, family etc.

Sounds like a good position. I am looking at a layoff because of our budget in NYS. I work for the state university system so am under the aspices of the wonderful govt. Where are you maybe I can come and get a job with ya. (ha ha)

Good luck.

Cheryl

[jtfreel]

Zumalong's advice was excellent. I set on 3 different faculty selection committee's last spring. There were 8 candidates for 2 positions. Two candidates has BSN's and were candidates because of an agreement to earn a master's within 5 years. Backgrounds, experiences and references were similar among all candidates. Each candidate was asked to prepare a 5 minute in powerpoint format for formal presentation to a group of 10. At the sample lecture presentation, differences became the discriminator: some problems were

1. Not maintaining ANY eye contact with the faculty audience and mumbling so that content was very difficult to understand. (1)

2. Presentations containing spelling errors and typos. (3)

3. Program refusing to load. (1)

4. Candidate not knowing how to use powerpoint. (1)

Practice, practice, practice.

Result, 2 candidates were selected. 1 had a master's and 1 had a BSN.

Good luck.

[barb4575]

Vicky,

I am happy that you have found somewhere that you have a good feel for...which is so important to your happiness...sometimes we are wrong, but usually those instincts pan out. The only recommendation that I have for you is to ensure that when they state you have to be working toward a Masters' degree that it is not specifically a MSN. When I was in grad school, I taught clinical at an ADN program and I was required to obtain the MSN...is there somewhere near you to obtain that degree and are you against obtaining the MSN?

Barbara

[Tim-GNP]

Something else you may want to consider----- preparing a teaching portfolio. Granted, at this point, your portfolio would not be very big, but it may very well impress the interview committee. You can find information on it here:

http://www.arches.uga.edu/~major/portfolios.html

It gives you a chance to organize your thoughts on education and teaching, it will help you to consider your future goals, etc.

Also, I do concur with the others regarding an MSN. Here in PA, you either need it or need to actively be working on it to get approved by the State Board of Nursing as a faculty member.

Good luck, and let us know what happens!!!