New grad interested in becoming a clinical instructor

Lots of schools use BSN-prepared people as clinical instructors. An MSN would give you more options, of course.

Most every nursing faculty position, adjunct or otherwise, requires a minimum of two years of clinical experience; some schools require more than that and, of course, with just the two years minimum requirement, you would not be as competitive a candidate as others with more experience (although a lot of schools are so hard up for faculty that there might not be any competition for an open position ).

I know there have been some previous discussions/threads here about the pros and cons of adjunct faculty positions. You may want to search for them and have a read.

With a previous BS you can go to bridge MSN program. You may need 1-2 years of experience.

In my home state you need a MSN or BSN and enrollement to a MSN to teach even in a LPN progran.

Don't give up on your dream. In the mean time you could become a CPR instructor or teach CNAs.

Investigate teaching in a LPN program in order to get some teaching experience.

Like Alex said, you can also investigate the varioous BS to MSN bridge programs available in order to increase your credentials---since teaching is your goal.

Investigate ways to teach community-based programs in your area---topics like weight control, healthy dietary habits, diabetes maintenance, etc. This will "pump-up" your resume and increase your contacts and networking opportunites for other teaching jobs.

GET THE WORD OUT---inform other colleagues that you are looking for an adjunct clinical teaching position. You'd be surpirsed how word-of-mouth can eventually land you a job.

MUCH SUCCESS TO YOU!!!

I would worry about your credibility with students if you have no real-life experience, but I appreciate your enthusiasm! Good luck!

Definitely don't give up! This is a wonderful profession. As you gain clinical experience, ask to have students assigned to you. Ask to mentor new grads. Not only will this give you a lot of experience teaching students at this level and allow you to hone your techniques, your employer and supervisors will come to know that you are "student-friendly" and this may help you with future recommendations and references. You never know what will happen...I know several instructors who swore they would never want to teach in a classroom, only as adjunct, and now they are happy full-time faculty members!

Once you find your teaching position, I would encourage you to find a mentor. Or, consider finding one now. Find a nurse educator you can shadow for a few days at clinicals if possible. This gives you a good picture of what a daily routine would be like, and possibly could give you a "foot in the door." You might also look for a part-time job teaching CNAs in the meantime to give you additional experience. Good luck, you are so needed in this profession!

Heather,

I think your first 4-year degree will help. Only 2 years of nursing experience may be a problem, but that depends on your work experience. One of my students who graduated last year is working trauma in a bigger city. She's seen more in 6 months than I have in my career.

As far as education I think it depends on the state and the institution. I have a BSN and work as a clinical instructor for ADNs occasionally, but primarily PNs. It is projected that faculty will need an MSN by 2014 and I am in graduate school. I went because I needed the education, not because it is being mandated.

I am 50 with 4 years LPN experience and 23 years RN experience. I was a little tired of being a staff hospital nurse. A kind mentor said, "Why don't you come teach with us?" I've been at the local community college for a year. I really enjoy it, but was distressed by the lack of orientation. In fact this will be my thesis project developing orientation for adjunct faculty.

Please think about graduate school. This will improve your employment opportunites. Also attend a graduate school that offers practical advice. I'm at Gardner-Webb in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. I've precepted with a nursing instructor, and taken classes in curriculum development and test preperation. I will enter the field of education as an advanced begineer instead of a novice, thanks to my grad school. I look forward to this last chapter of my nursing career.

I definitely would not give up the idea of becoming a clinical instructor, heaven knows there aren't enough of us out there now. But as the other educators have indicated, you really need some experience as a nurse first. In my state, out west, you have to have at least 2 years of nursing experience before the board of nursing will allow you to be an instructor. You should do that, but have you thought about educating CNAs in a nursing home setting or acute care setting? A lot of instructors I know have started in that mode, got their nursing experience in either acute or long term care, and taught CNAs as a way to get some education experience. Get that MSN, I do agree that your bachelor's in another field should get you into an accelerated program, and then you can really soar, and go wherever you want to.

Best of luck!

Hi well I pretty much had the same questions .I am also new grad with 5 months under belt.I do not have A BSN yet ii start class this fall for 1 year BSN program.I did notice openings for adjunt cna instructor,could probely get job as it has not been filled in over year,however I do not think I have enough experience yet here is the plan let me know please what you think.finish BSN prn 1 day weekin LTC,icurrenlty work psy nursing(love it).then after get BSN apply as adjunt CNA instructer and apply TA in NS dept.thanks