Nurse Educators / Faculty

[luvRNs, BSN, MSN, RN]

Interesting article, but I do see one glaring problem. I am a former Nursing educator who had tenure at a community college. I was appalled when I first began to teach at the limited clinical expertise of some of my colleagues. It gives credence to the old adage " those who can't do, teach". I worked per diem in an ICU during summers, semester breaks, and week- ends. My students we well aware of this, and my hospital colleagues respected me for keeping my skills up and for being a role model for students.

My masters degree was focused on decision- making, and much of it focused on Benner's principles. Best practice now supports that 2 years experience or less is at best novice or beginner status, yet we believe this is enough to educate our future professional ? I doubt it.

[cdsga]

The salary for the amount of money needed for advanced degrees is deplorable. IOM should address this or all educators should be unionized to ensure the amount of salary to recoup the investment. I understand about personal goals, etc. and professionalism, but in these days, some pragmatic fiscal increase should be offered. There is no way to compare medical professors-or doctors for that matter because they can recoup their expenses/loans much faster. I'm amazed at the vast range of salary. 25k to 122k? I suppose you can supplement by public speaking or writing books. Wow.

[luvRNs, BSN, MSN, RN]

Agree with SDGA about the salary. I left after tenure and doubled my pay. that said, i OFTEN had to cover semesters for a tenured colleague who made 20K MORE than me due to seniority but was crazy. My work load became half or hers AND mine for less pay. I don't see unions OR tenure as the solution. I DO see raises...

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Question for those of you in the field currently:

Which certification would you pursue and why?

NLN CNE - or - RN-BC through ANCC?

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I feel I could pass the NLN exam today - as there is no hours requirement. The RN-BC would be out of reach for me for a couple years yet.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I am certified in Nursing Professional Development by ANCC. That particular exam does not require a Master's Degree -- only a BSN. I wish it would require a Master's, perhaps by making 2 levels -- perhaps "NPD Coordinator" for the BSN level... and "NPD Specialist" for those with a graduate education.

My big issue is the fact that few graduate programs in Nursing Education include significant content on NPD. The programs I have looked at are based 100% on the NLN standards. People are graduating from these programs not even knowing that there is an Association of Nursing Professional Development (ANPD) ... a "Scope and Standards of Practice" for NPD ... an NPD practice model ... an NPD certification ... etc. They assume that if they studied academic education in school, they automatically know everything they need to know about NPD -- and they don't.

I wish academic educators would acknowledge that the field of NPD is slightly different than academic education and include some NPD content in their programs. We sometimes have trouble filling our NPD positions because people (even academic educators) know so little about it.

llg, PhD, RN-BC (I work full time in a hospital and adjunct a little at a local university.)

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I will agree about the decided slant toward academia in all the MSN programs I looked at. I wonder if there IS a MSN program out there with equal consideration for NPD?

[llg, PhD, RN]

meanmaryjean said:

I will agree about the decided slant toward academia in all the MSN programs I looked at. I wonder if there IS a MSN program out there with equal consideration for NPD?

If you find one, please let me know. In fact, if anyone knows of any graduate program in nursing education that gives equal weight to NPD, please let me know. I get asked for recommendations and don't know of any.

[jbudrick, MSN]

Sacred Heart University (Connecticut) has six credits in staff development with 48 clinical hours required for MSN Education. I am scheduled to graduate in November, and do my staff development at a local hospital starting in March. The main emphasis is teaching in a BSN program. There are 144 hours of clinical in a BSN program required. I currently teach in an LPN program so it does not count.

Good luck.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Thanks, jbudrick

[Martha Acosta]

Vicky, I am not a nurse, but a medical translator and interpreter. I have always had an interest in medicine, not in practice but in research, I cared for my late mother who had vascular dementia and spent caring for her 6 years while I worked at home with my computer in written translations and worked as an interpreter in medical international events. I would like to share my evidence-based practice in this regard with you and others interested in the subject, since you are a gerontology nurse, I attended some conferences in this field, and read books and articles on this specialty, but I would like to share with you my experiences so that this does not fall in nobody's land not remain in oblivion.