New NP and want to teach

Specialties Educators

Published

I am about to graduate as an NP (Adult Primary Care and Geriatric- I did a dual track). From the beginning my ultimate goal has been to teach. I have a mentor who I admire and respect and she encouraged me to become an NP first for 2 reasons. One b/c as an NP I can practice as well as teach, as a Nurse Educator I can only teach. The second reason is b/c she feels very strongly that getting some NP experience under my belt will make me a better educator. Most of my almost 30 years of nursing (yes I'm an older student, just do the math) has been in ambulatory, LTC and psych, with almost no acute care experience. The problem is, I am not crazy about seeing patients (not sure if it's b/c I still am not confident, still being a student), but I didn't take the educator courses and don't feel ready to teach. I have done some inservices with powerpoints out in the community and loved it. Just looking for some input from the educators. Should I practice first, get more confidence, and maybe more comfort seeing patients in this new role, or just jump into teaching? I am doing very well with my academics, was even chosen as the Class Marshal at last year's graduation, but clinical leaves me dry.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

when you say 'seeing patients', you mean as an np (in a primary care capacity)? i'm not an np, but i can understand that hesitency. if that's the case, here's a thought: go and teach first (or adjunct while you work as an np). i believe you may be able to build up that confidence to ultimatey work as an np. as you are teaching students to assess, prioritize and care for patients, you will realize how much you do know. heck, you've been a nurse for 30 yrs, you have plenty to offer students. even if you haven't been in m/s (which you'd likely be teaching) you will be able to do it, as the basics are the basics. may i remind you too, that a good # of m/s are ltc pts (and psych pts too :roll ).

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Yes, seeing patients in the NP role. I'm not crazy about it. I like teaching better. But my mentor who I respect felt strongly that it was important for me to get the NP experience first. I wondered if there were any educators who could comment about this.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Hello, imisscoco,

I had been an OB/GYN NP for many years, in clinical practice. Then decided to become an educator. After teaching in a PN program for a couple years, I decided to go on and secure the FNP. (many reasons for this that I will not go into for now).

So, I was the director of this PN program and had only really worked as an NP in one area - OB/GYN. I had zero trouble adjusting to the world of education. My experience as an RN and as an OB/GYN NP was enough. I still teach and have to admit, practicing as an FNP has helped me tremendously in what my students need in order to practice as RNs and NPs.

It will be up to you. You seem to have a very strong desire to teach. I say go for it.

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Did you go to a formal educator program? My professor feels that I'll be fine as an educator with a good mentor, and some experience as an NP. thanks for all the advice.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

No, I do not have formal education for this, imisscoco. I just applied for the position and got it (the PN director).

I also am preceptor for BSN students seeking the MSN and mentor for NP grads. I tell my students who want to get their MSN to do the same thing your advisor told you. Get your NP and then get your teaching position. Many many NPs are educators.

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Thank you. I really appreciate your taking the time to respond. By the way, and this is off topic, my screen name, imisscoco comes from this. We had a wonderful dog named Coco. She was a Chesapeake Bay Retriever and we got her when she was 6 weeks old, and my daughters were 4 and 5. We had to put her to sleep when she was 12 1/2, right before I signed onto this site. So my screenname actually means, I miss Coco. And I still do.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.
thank you. i really appreciate your taking the time to respond. by the way, and this is off topic, my screen name, imisscoco comes from this. we had a wonderful dog named coco. she was a chesapeake bay retriever and we got her when she was 6 weeks old, and my daughters were 4 and 5. we had to put her to sleep when she was 12 1/2, right before i signed onto this site. so my screenname actually means, i miss coco. and i still do.

i'm sorry for your loss :crying2: :crying2: i miss hannah (my favorite kitty), who went to kitty-heaven at 6 yrs old :o

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

I kinda figured that, Coco's parent.

I'm sorry.

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It's really interesting, that when a person dies, people pay respects, expect you to mourn, are incredibly supportive, and you can take some time off from school or work. When Coco died, the next day I had a huge powerpoint presentation to give at school, which I managed to get through. But you are expected to go on with life as usual and unless you've had a beloved pet, you would not know that. I specialize in geripscyh, and do a lot of work with depressed elders. I just gave a talk for the Council on Aging to community elders on depression, and last month to homecare nurses, social workers and crisis workers. One of my slides is an older woman sitting on her porch with her arm around her dog. When I show that slide, I tell people never to underestimate the loss of pet, especially for an elder. Often this is their only companion, having lost a spouse, with children who have grown up and moved away. A pet shows unconditional love, and gives a person who is alone a purpose in life, a reason to get up everyday, and something to care for other than themselves. Our loss was devastating, but we still had each other, and lives to live at home, work and school. Well, thanks for sharing.

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Why did I just notice this. They post your age???? Wow, how did I miss that?

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Specializes in Pediatrics.
Why did I just notice this. They post your age???? Wow, how did I miss that?

You can remove it (but now I know how old you are)

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