Advice please...FNP, Nurse educator or instructor?

[217sbs]

I am a newly certified FNP. I chose this path because I wanted to have many options down the road. Currently, I work nights as a manager on a maternity unit, I love my unit, and I have been there most of my nursing career. While waiting for my FNP certification, I had the opportunity to use my advanced degree to teach BSN students clinical in their maternal-newborn rotation...I loved it. I began to realize the passion I have for teaching. Therefore, a few months ago when my unit's educator retired, I showed my interest. After interviewing with my director for the position, she then told me that the position was "taken out of the budget" and was to be covered by the hospital's education department. Weeks later I came to find out that the education department actually did fill the position with someone who doesn't even have an advanced degree (in my director's defense the person does now report to the education department but I was disappointed that my director did not support me enough).

Anyway, I have recently begun my search for a position as a FNP but have found nothing promising. Therefore, I have decided (until I find a NP position that I really want) to pursue the education path. I have received two promising offers, one as a Nurse educator at a competing hospital (Pros..full time DAYS, no weekends, no holidays but I most likely won't have the flexibility to teach any clinical students) and the other as a part time instructor at the college (teaching 2 clinical groups/semester) but I would not be able to physically handle two clinical days while working a 40hour night shift and would then have to leave my management position.

So, my questions are do I....

1) (Do nothing) Stay at my (night shift) management position and continue to teach one clinical group per semester until I get the perfect FNP job?

2) Become part-time instructor at the college and possibly go prn as staff nurse on my unit..again waiting for that FNP job?

3) Take the nurse educator position (day shift) and stop teaching clinical?

Any suggestions would be most helpful. My goal is to have an enjoyable and rewarding career. I am passionate about teaching. And although, I feel I owe it to myself to practice as a FNP, I have not had any good opportunities yet. (Not to mention...I am nervous about picking in the wrong NP job).

[79Tango]

I would start getting my feet wet as a practicing FNP. Even if it means volunteering somewhere. Just like a new grad RN, the longer you wait to gain experience the harder it is going to be (if thats even what you want).

Something that may help with your job search is applying for your DEA license now. We get a TON of NP applicants at our clinic and all of them ask us to pay their $562 certification & none of them get the job. Even if we paid for it (we wont) it would still take 4-6weeks to get. We would take a new grad on the spot if they had one in-hand.