Becoming a Nursing Instructor

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Nov 4, 2008

Congratulations on your achievement!

Have you had any formal education in the 'discipline' of education yet? If not, that is a great place to start. You may have to search a bit to find courses that are geared to workplace education -- I know that I did!

Do you have any experience in staff development? precepting? inservices? That's always a plus. Even if you don't work in an education department, they are always looking for assistance with these types of activities. CPR/ACLS instructor would also be a great learning experience.

You will need to contact schools in your area to determine what types of positions are open to BSNs. Don't be surprised if they require an MSN. RN schools in my area do. But you could also explore possiblities with LV/PN programs.

If you are really serious about moving into academia on a full-time basis, I would strongly recommend that you begin working on your MSN. Even a few graduate hours will open the door as long as you are working on your degree.

Lastly - and very sadly :crying2: - be prepared for an economic shock. You will make far less in academia than you are used to.

Good Luck!

JStyles1 · Nov 7, 2008

depends on the school. i know many universities require at least a masters to lecture if not a doctorate. ive heard of community colleges/jr colleges allowing BSNs to be clinical instructors and maybe lecture

UVA Grad Nursing · Nov 9, 2008

It depends on what are the requirements of State BONs as well as the requirements of accreditation agencies (NLN, CCNE).

In Virginia, a BSN-prepared individual can be a clinical instructor for diploma and AD programs that are NLN-accredited. One needs a MSN to be a course professor at these schools/programs.

At BSN programs and schools with CCNE accreditation, clinical instructors need to have a MSN (or be in the last semester of their MSN study if serving as a Teaching Assistant). One needs a specialty MSN (not a MSN in Education) to be a course professor. By this I mean that to teach pediatrics, you need to have a MSN in Pediatrics, Psych for Psych, etc.

Because of BON and CCNE requirements, my university cannot hire those with MSNs in Nursing Education (unless they have a post-masters in a specialty area). We tend to use those with doctorates as the official course professor, and MSN-prepared faculty as clinical instructors.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 9, 2008

It's that way in FL too - to teach in the classroom you must be mastered prepared, but BSN's can be in charge and teach a clinical group. I think this might be an NLN standard.

I'm not sure what it's like a private schools or non-NLN schools, or LPN schools.

Good luck Congrats on getting your BSN!

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 9, 2008

It depends on what are the requirements of State BONs as well as the requirements of accreditation agencies (NLN, CCNE).
In Virginia, a BSN-prepared individual can be a clinical instructor for diploma and AD programs that are NLN-accredited. One needs a MSN to be a course professor at these schools/programs.
At BSN programs and schools with CCNE accreditation, clinical instructors need to have a MSN (or be in the last semester of their MSN study if serving as a Teaching Assistant). One needs a specialty MSN (not a MSN in Education) to be a course professor. By this I mean that to teach pediatrics, you need to have a MSN in Pediatrics, Psych for Psych, etc.
Because of BON and CCNE requirements, my university cannot hire those with MSNs in Nursing Education (unless they have a post-masters in a specialty area). We tend to use those with doctorates as the official course professor, and MSN-prepared faculty as clinical instructors.

Hmmm... Thanks for the information, UVA Grad Nursing. I didn't realize that people with an MSN in Nursing Education could not coordinate a clinical course. I'll have to go back and look at the 2008 revisions of the Nurse Practice Act to see what other details I'm not aware of. :typing

UVA Grad Nursing · Nov 11, 2008

LLG:

I believe that nursing faculty requirements varies by state practice act, as well as CCNE guidelines. At least here in Virginia at CCNE schools, we only hire those with MSNs in clinical specialties.

At my University, we offer elective courses in nursing education and teaching practica for students in all graduate degree programs (MSN, PhD, DNP). We're also fortunate to have an Education school with great classes on curriculum design, testing/measurement, adult learning, technology and learning, etc. We have had many students take a class or two at the Education School (a 10 minute walk from the SON) to add to their own skills and build their professional portfolios.