Nursing Education/ CNL

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I was in a NP program, had everything done except for clinical when I decided to pug my degree on hold cause I wasn't really sure it was what I wanted. I love working at the bedside, and don't really see myself working in a clinic setting. I have been evaluating my future, and have been thinking more and more about nursing education. The problem is the school that I have completed all of my course work at doesn't offer a nursing education major. They offer a clinical nurse leader degree instead. I have been thinking about doing this just to be done, and I would only need three classes. Most posts on here I see about CNL's involve direct entry CNL's, and not experienced nurses. Would I be taken seriously in nursing education with a CNL? I feel I would be more competitive with a nursing education degree, but I have too many credits to transfer at this point.

[llg, PhD, RN]

In my area of the country, you would be. And you could always pick up the nursing education courses later, on a part-time basis after you get a job as a CNL somewhere. Another option would be to get the CNL and then go into Nursing Professional Development (Staff Development). The pay is usually better than in academic education ... and your clinical experience would be highly valued in that field.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

In my area of the country you would be. And you could always pick up the nursing education courses later, on a part-time basis after you get a job as a CNL somewhere. Another option would be to get the CNL and then go into Nursing Professional Development (Staff Development). The pay is usually better than in academic education ... and your clinical experience would be highly valued in that field.[/quote']

That is refreshing to hear. I know when I graduate I want to keep working bedside and maybe teach clinicals part-time, but down the road I could see myself teaching or doing staff development.