Nurse Educators, Introduce Yourselves!

lisajy · Aug 9, 2004

Welcome to the Forum. I, too, was "thrown in" to teaching my first year and learned with the sink-or-swim approach. Glad you are in a supportive environment--this makes all the difference in the world. We are having a near critical shortage of nurse educators here in NC, and monies are available here for nurses (both new nurses and those with experience) to pursue the nursing education route in nursing Masters programs. It is frustrating that nurse educators are not recognized with the financial remuneration that we deserve. Not only do NP's, CNS, CNM and others make well over $20-30,000/ year than nurse educators, but the students we graduate often make more money starting out than we do!

Yes, it does make it difficult to advise students to consider education when they can make much more in practice. Our rural hospitals are are also losing our students to larger cities that offer great sign on bonuses and better salaries. Students seem to assume that their instructors are very well paid but after graduation want to be out there working not back in college. Little do they know that they make more than those who teach them when they get their first position. We continue to advertise for new educators but get few replies. Those that do reply and come to interview usually run when they see the salary and continue to practice. We will have to use adjuncts to piece together the program and for clinical instruction. It doesn't help our students much to have those who aren't on campus full-time. I don't have the answers to this shortage but will continue to work for a resolution.

vickynurse · Aug 10, 2004

I also feel bad about sending my new grads into practice. In my 29 years of practice, it's never been this bad at the bedside. I stress over and over again that nursing is a very hard job physically, emotionally, and intellectually. I encourage students to develop some real and meaningful stress reduction skills.

It is very disheartening to receive such low pay in nursing education. Furthermore, educational expenses are often reimbursed by employers in health care, but nurse educators receive very little assistance.

vickynurse · Aug 10, 2004

I wonder if others have had the same experience as I and how you handle it. Almost every clinical day either myself or a student finds a med error made by staff. I've gone to numerous clinical agencies and find this same type of problem everywhere. Most of them are directly related, in my opinion, to nurses caring for too many patients and so they are not checking or thinking about "WHY is this pt on this med?"

When we find an error, I usually approach the charge nurse discreetly and allow him/her the opportunity to handle the calls, reports, etc. I just hate when it is brushed under the rug and not dealt with correctly. I just hope to continue having positive working relationships with staff, but it can become challenging when this is a daily/weekly occurence.

Do you think I should be documenting these situations myself? Note that the student did not actually make the error, s/he just found and reported the error. Comment please!

gerinurse10 · Aug 13, 2004

Hello! Quick question: Do you think that nursing educator salaries will be on the rise due to the shortage? Is the shortage peeking now or will you see it get worse in the future? I am presently enrolled in a MSN education program (2007 graduate?) and hope to teach when I get out. I have looked at the help wanted ads and don't really see many open positions. Where are they and for what specialty? My specialty is community health and geriatrics, do you think I will eventually need a PhD to get a full time position? Thanks

vickynurse · Aug 14, 2004

There are many factors impinging upon faculty compensation. Primarily, that one educational specialty cannot be favored over another. For instance, nursing faculty cannot be paid more than english faculty with similar experience. The facts that nurse educators are scarce and english teachers are a "dime a dozen" are not taken into account at most colleges.

As for the PhD, if you want to teach in a BSN program it is essential. Otherwise an MSN is fine. PhD's are rare in ADN programs and nonexistant in LPN programs. If you are going to pursue the PhD, I would suggest doing it sooner than later because it takes so long to recoup the investment. Where I teach (midwestern community college) it would take almost 10 years to break even.

diannenurse · Aug 14, 2004

Hello! Quick question: Do you think that nursing educator salaries will be on the rise due to the shortage? Is the shortage peeking now or will you see it get worse in the future? I am presently enrolled in a MSN education program (2007 graduate?) and hope to teach when I get out. I have looked at the help wanted ads and don't really see many open positions. Where are they and for what specialty? My specialty is community health and geriatrics, do you think I will eventually need a PhD to get a full time position? Thanks

I believe you will ge positioned quite well with your geriatrics specialty...as you know there is a huge demand for gereatric nurses. I would think a masters degree would be a great place to start with advanced practice NP you could be teaching, but would have to maintain your practice license. A CNS would be another option that may fit better if you are interested in community health.

Salaries are greater in state vs private colleges.

I found that it is most useful to seek job postings via the college online advertisements, look in your state job bank, and other various internet sources. Your local newspapers are usually the last to get the news.

Good luck., Dianne

lisajy · Aug 15, 2004

I believe you will ge positioned quite well with your geriatrics specialty...as you know there is a huge demand for gereatric nurses. I would think a masters degree would be a great place to start with advanced practice NP you could be teaching, but would have to maintain your practice license. A CNS would be another option that may fit better if you are interested in community health.
Salaries are greater in state vs private colleges.
I found that it is most useful to seek job postings via the college online advertisements, look in your state job bank, and other various internet sources. Your local newspapers are usually the last to get the news.
Good luck., Dianne

While everyone talks about the importance of geriatric health care professionals, you may find that it limits you, especially as an NP. I cannot treat anyone under the age of 50 so it would be difficult to work in in a family practice. As far as education, it might be an asset to have geriatric experience. While we try to let everyone teach what they know best, there is always something left over or coveted by senior faculty. As to your question about the nurse educator shortage, I am not sure what to tell you. Our administration is currently looking at salaries but as someone else said they can't pay nursing faculty a lot more than those teaching other subjects. However, the low salaries are turning nurses away from education and to practice. We usually advertise locally as those who respond from away rarely are interested in relocating to WNY. Even those in our larger cities are not willing to drive 2 hours to teach and make less than they could as floor nurse. There are several journals that list positions as well as online resources. Good luck in your program.

vickynurse · Aug 15, 2004

Hello! Quick question: Do you think that nursing educator salaries will be on the rise due to the shortage? Is the shortage peeking now or will you see it get worse in the future? I am presently enrolled in a MSN education program (2007 graduate?) and hope to teach when I get out. I have looked at the help wanted ads and don't really see many open positions. Where are they and for what specialty? My specialty is community health and geriatrics, do you think I will eventually need a PhD to get a full time position? Thanks

Here in the midwest, finding a job is very much dependant on "who you know" (even a little bit). If you come across faculty on your floor,cafeteria, etc I would suggest that you introduce yourself, express your interest, and be sure to inquire regarding who does the hiring in the nursing department at their place of employment. I would then follow up with a call or letter w/resume to that person and be sure to be a 'name dropper'. Most full time faculty in our area work as adjunct for 1-3 years before landing a full time slot. You may have to teach something other than your favorite subject for awhile as others have indicated.

Good luck!

kailuaa · Aug 17, 2004

HI all, I am an asthma care manager. I take care of patients and administrate the program. I am frequently called upon because of my clinical expertise to 'teach' asthma. I have been asked to teach nurses, establish competencies, do SLM, and teach physicians and RNPs! My MSN is in nurse administration - so I am taking a nurse educator theory course, to hopefully make me competent! I look forward to learning from you:nurse:

JustaMaleRN · Aug 19, 2004

Just starting my first gig as a nursing instructor in an ADN program. I will be one of the clinical instructors for a M-S 2 course. Hoping to find my niche, and hopefully a new home!

Kokomo · Aug 19, 2004

Dear Vicky,

We have spokwn before via email. I start my first educational position at a community college soon. I will be doing clinicals and assisting in the skills lab. I am very excted for this opportunity. I presently have my BSN with 9 years clinical experience. Any words of advice?

Thank you,

Kokomo

profjanmc · Aug 19, 2004

I can offer a couple of words of advice, get to know the staff and the routine of the unit you wil be teaching in. It helps the students get an "in" if the staff knows and respects the instructor. Knowing the routine, paperwork etc....helps the students avois having to ask so many questions of the staff members. If you can, work a couple of shifts to get a feel of the place (even if it's volunteer time). Skills lab is a lot of prep and set-up, tear down. The students are looking for positive feedback and constructive suggestions, let them do it, as long as they aren't hurting anyone. And remember to have fun, attitude rubs off on the students! Be approachable and friendly. Hope it helps, good luck!