clinical instructor question

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Im currently in a MSN program with an emphasis in leadership and administration but I also want to be a clinical instructor one day. I chose leadership instead of education because I was told it was a broader degree but it really doesn't matter as long as I have a MSN in anything, id be qualified to do anything in the hospital from educator, management or administration. But now I'm hearing that many schools want you to have a MSN in education to teach, even for being a clinical instructor. So my question is do you guys think this is true and will I have to go back after this to get my post masters certificate in education? I hope that isn't the case because I'm honestly over formal school education after I complete my MSN.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

It's not true where I live, but it may be true in your area. The only way you will know is to investigate the hiring practice of the particular schools you are interested in working for. In my area, they are desperate for undergraduate clinical instructors and are not picky about who they hire.

At some point, you may want to look into the exact requirements for getting certified as a nurse educator. I don't think it requires a major in nursing education -- just some experience and a few courses (3 courses, I think).

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

It's not true where I live.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Not so fast young grasshopper. There may be an 'open door' for MSN qualified clinical instructors in academia, but those of us who are workplace educators have to have a bit more qualifications. In most larger organizations, you'll need knowledge, skills & experience in the discipline of education in order to be considered for just about any job higher than unit-based education coordinator.

There's just too much at stake to turn these positions over to newbies and 'hope for the best'. Staff education is expensive. Poor staff education is astronomically expensive. We have to have very well developed educational programs to support any new initiative so we need instructional design expertise. We have to prove effectiveness by actual data analysis so we have to have operational expertise. Our jobs are very complex because we also have to ensure compliance with all the legal requirements related to job training..... a huge and growing source of liability for organizations.

Don't want to discourage you. Our jobs are great & workplace educators can earn salaries commensurate with other nursing leaders. But we need folks who are prepared in the discipline of education.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

In the area where I reside, an experienced nurse manager does not need a MSN degree with a leadership or executive specialty area. In fact, hospital systems and organizations in this area will hire candidates with MSN degrees in any specialization (leadership, nursing education, informatics, case management) as long as they have the experience and proven track record.

On the other hand, nurse educators in my area need the MSN in nursing education if they wish to secure a position in an academic setting. A nurse with a MSN degree in nursing leadership is unlikely to be hired into an educator role around here.

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Specializes in Mother/baby, Lactation Consultant.

Hi, new to this site. I just interviewed for a l day per week clinical instructor position, but can't seem to figure out the pay. Can anyone decipher this for me: If full-time is 15 WTU and 1 clinical/1 day is 6 WTU - The full time pay is X - They then multiple this by 0.4 and multiple it again by 6 (WTU) = Y is this pay per year and then I should divide by 12 months to determine the monthly salary? Or is this the pay for the 16 week semester? I felt too embarrassed to ask again after already trying to have the HR asst clarify. Thank you.

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.
Hi, new to this site. I just interviewed for a l day per week clinical instructor position, but can't seem to figure out the pay. Can anyone decipher this for me: If full-time is 15 WTU and 1 clinical/1 day is 6 WTU - The full time pay is X - They then multiple this by 0.4 and multiple it again by 6 (WTU) = Y is this pay per year and then I should divide by 12 months to determine the monthly salary? Or is this the pay for the 16 week semester? I felt too embarrassed to ask again after already trying to have the HR asst clarify. Thank you.

It depends on what a WTU is. I think it stands for an estimate of hours you're given credit for, per week. If you calculate what the full time pay would be, is it a reasonable amount for a full time teaching job? For a semester or a year? That should give you your answer.

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