Anyone teach nursing school clinicals on the side?

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 31, 2014

I will be interested in the answers here. I will finish my BSN in May and I have a Masters in teaching so I was hoping to maybe do that. I was going to try precepting first to see if I like it. I have been working on some administrative duties, so where I end up....

elkpark · Oct 31, 2014

I've done it and enjoyed it (but, then, I've also been a full-time faculty member in a couple different nursing programs). You're right, the schedule is v. rigid and there is no more flexibility for the instructors than there is for the students. The clinical days and times are the clinical days and times. Short of a true emergency or serious illness, you can't miss any. In addition to the actual clinical days, there will be some kind of orientation for you as a new instructor, and probably at least a few meetings, etc., on campus during the semester. Also, the clinical paperwork will take a lot of time to grade. You will not necessarily get paid for any of that additional time (the way adjunct instructors get paid varies from school to school).

My observation over the years is, considering the amount of pay vs. the amount of time you put in, it's not really worth being an adjunct clinical instructor unless you're using that as a way to "get your foot in the door" at the school for when a full-time position opens up (or you just really love teaching nursing). But I'm sure other people will post with different perspectives.

elkpark · Oct 31, 2014

I will be interested in the answers here. I will finish my BSN in May and I have a Masters in teaching so I was hoping to maybe do that. I was going to try precepting first to see if I like it. I have been working on some administrative duties, so where I end up....

Most programs will expect you to have some significant amount of clinical experience (typically, at least a couple years) to be considered qualified to teach.

allnurses Guide · Oct 31, 2014

I really enjoyed my students the few times I did it; but there is no flexibility. School schedules are set, and clinical time in hospitals is a precious commodity, many schools compete for time on the floors. Elkpark is absolutely right; you spend as much or more time doing paperwork outside of clinicals as doing the actual clinicals. My school pays by the credit hour, not the actual time spent. If money is the main consideration, it isn't usually worth it.

My biggest problem is that I am a night shifter, and going to days for that one clinical was very difficult.

adpiRN · Oct 31, 2014

They pay by the semester too.

$2,700. Is that good or bad?

I didn't think about the extra paperwork. Definitely something to consider.

I am nights PRN so if they want me to do a morning clinical which start at 6:30 or 7am, I think I'll have to decline...

If it's an afternoon clinical I'll consider it but am worried about a week in April I'm planning to be away.

Maybe I should just pass for now....

My PRN job is new so maybe I should just concentrate on that for awhile anyway.

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Nov 1, 2014

Most programs will expect you to have some significant amount of clinical experience (typically, at least a couple years) to be considered qualified to teach

I'll have 3+ years in and ortho cert by the time I would do it. It is just a thought. There are some extra perks for working on the University side. I may end up what I am doing on the side now (chart auditing and some pre-op teaching for joint replacement pts)

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Nov 1, 2014

Hmmmm...... I work as a clinical instructor in WGU's pre-licensure program. It's much more flexible than your typical academic program, the pay is good and I

I would feel handcuffed by a traditional program.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Nov 1, 2014

I would love to be a CI on the side. However, most of the programs around here want you to have a MSN or be in a MSN program in order to qualify as a CI.

freeasabird · Nov 1, 2014

I am a BSN with 8 years of experience in cardio/tele/medsurg and recently got a job as a part-time clinical instructor for a VN program as its harder to get a job teaching in an RN program without a masters now. I was told you needed 3 years of clinical experience not sure of the degree probably ADN would be fine. The pay is definitely a step down from bedside nursing but it isn't always about the money. I got hurt at work, recovered but realized I can't do that type of work forever! If you want to get your foot in the door for teaching like me then a VN program might be a good way to get experience as the requirements aren't as high as an Rn program. Any job beside bedside nursing seems to pay lower though so you definitely have to weigh your options. Also I'm getting my Master's in nursing education so this way when I'm done I will have had 2 years of teaching experience and hopefully that will help me land a great job then:sarcastic:. Also I interviewed with another college who had need for someone to teach as little as a class per week theory or skills/lab which is totally doable with another full time job. I also currently work 3 days a week full time at my hospital job. Feel free to ask me for more info!

adpiRN · Nov 1, 2014

I have a BSN and 3 years of experience. The university BSN program sounds like they'd be willing to hire me. But I'm just not sure the schedule is for me.

I just emailed a technical college that has an ADN program to see if they could use me and if maybe their clinical schedule or pay works better for me.

I looked at their website and it looks like their spring break coincides with the week I need off in April, so at least I know that won't be a problem!

Has anyone noticed a difference in teaching for ADN vs BSN?

Do ADN programs use dedicated clinical instructors?

There's a job posting on their website for nursing adjunct instructor, which it seems like I just qualify for. But that seems from the description like it's classroom teaching and I think I'd prefer to be a clinical instructor at this point. Planning lectures and grading papers seems overwhelming!

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Nov 3, 2014

YIKES! It's really great that so many nurses are attracted to the thought of teaching, but 'education' is a whole different discipline - with it's own theory, unique body of knowledge, skills and (hugely important) legal requirements. It's a lot more than just showing and telling.

I hope that any organization hiring adjunct faculty will ensure that new hires have sufficient orientation and development & ongoing support for the role. FYI, there are liability issues associated with clinical education; when you accept a clinical adjunct position, make sure your malpractice carrier is aware of it.