Working as a nursing school clinical instructor

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Specializes in L&D.

Has anyone ever done this? Do you like it? What's the pay like compared to hospital nursing?

I'm thinking about applying to my nursing school alma mater to be a part-time clinical instructor in my speciality (Maternity).

I like it when nursing students are on the floor - it's fun to teach them and I think I would like being an instructor.

I also teach childbirth education to expecting moms and dads which is a fairly new part-time job for me and I like that too.

I think I just get bored doing the same thing every day and after almost 2 years at my job, I'm seeking some variety.

In my ideal world I'd have 3 different part-time or per diem jobs as opposed to just 1 full-time job.

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You are barking up the wrong tree. If you want to do something different, become an art instructor or something.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care, Case Manager.

I used to have an instructor who always made comments that she gets paid better working in the hospital than teaching.

I applaud you for having the patience and the desire to teach. I also like teaching, but I'm worried that students will ask me questions that I wouldn't know how to answer. I'd say go for it. There are always in need of a good clinical instructor.

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Specializes in Geriatric nursing.

My clinical instructor exposed to me that she almost gets paid double the amount she gets at her hospital..shhh!

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Do you have a graduate degree? In our state every faculty member (even part time clinical instructors) have to have a Master's degree. Also, NLNAC looks at what % of faculty members (including part-time, clinical instructors) have a Master's in NURSING. Although... the state allows for BSN's who are working on their Master's degree.

Honestly, I know of some nsg schools that pay about 40% of what a nurse could get at the bedside. My current job is about par. I honestly have never seen faculty positions that pay significantly MORE than you can pull down at the bedside, especially with longevity, over-time and differentials.

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Specializes in Tele, Stepdown, Med/Surg, education.

I am a LPN instructor and yes I took a pay cut to teach but I absolutely LOVE my job. I still do per diem at the local hospital. But I don't regret taking a break from fulltime bedside at all. I can't imagine being at the bedside for 30 years especially with these knees. So when I am at the bedside may 3 times a month I love it, it's refreshing not to having students on my heels asking questions and Im not burned out. I give the best patient care that I can and go home.

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Specializes in PICU, ED, Infection Control, Education, cardiology.

I have held positions as an LPN clinical instructor and now as a clinical instructor in an RN program. I can honsetly say the money is great. The LPN gig was lower 30's, but my RN position pays about 58 an hour. I do want to say that the NLN does require a MSN for all staff (not sure of the specifics, but this is what I am told). Although as an adjunct you can be enrolled and working on your masters. This is where I am currently at and the school I work for is very strict. They keep an educational plan on file for all instructors working on thier MSN. My last rotation was a dream. All adult students that were there to learn and would listen to what ever I could teach and show them. It was great to see that they all would be great nurses one day. When teaching in the LPN program, it was very different. Just trying to get the students motivated drained me physically and mentally. I only stayed a year due to this.

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Specializes in OB.

I LOVE being a clinical instructor. It is hard work, but very rewarding. I do make significantly less teaching than I do as an ob nurse, though.

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I work at a small ER. Now we RN's have been bombarded with student nurses from a private vocational school. I like having a student but there are some fellow co-workers who never have students. I don't think it is fair. Now that we have a constant stream of student nurses I think it would be fair that all of the staff nurses share the work. My supervisor could care less. I was wondering does the vocational school pay my hospital to provide these clinical experiences to their students ? If I do get assigned students regularly then I want to get paid extra for it ... since some of my fellow co-workers get to avoid teaching just 'cause they kiss my supervisors butt.

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Specializes in Telemetry, Oncology, Progressive Care.

Can't you refuse to take students? I refused once several weeks ago and haven't been asked since. The break has been nice. I don't mind having a student (if they are good - but that's a whole other post, lol). If you refuse then they would ask those other nurses to take a pt.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Telemetry CCU ICU.

Isn't it interesting that you don't need your BSN or your MSN to teach clinically when you are on the floor? Do they have a clinical instructor to go to? Or are you "it?" It's not just the question of pay, it's a question of legality. If they are receiving clinical hours with me as an instructor, I would question my liability.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Do you have a graduate degree? In our state every faculty member (even part time clinical instructors) have to have a Master's degree.

I know this post is older, but when I attended a practical/vocational nursing program I had clinical instructors who were educated at the associate degree level. Moreover, a couple of the clinical instructors were LPNs/LVNs.

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