Best Entry Point for Graduate Teaching

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Hello everyone -

I am in the midst of a DNP program in Health Systems Leadership (will be done next summer) and practice as a full-time FNP in the rural primary care setting. I would very much like to be an online professor for either a MSN or DNP program in a part-time capacity upon completion of my degree. I have previous experience working as a clinical adjunct nursing instructor at the ADN level but have not really served as a full-time educator in an academic setting.

In looking at some job listings around the country for positions consistent with what I'm looking at in the future, I have some concern with most requiring some kind of previous experience teaching. It should come to no one's surprise that online teaching with an MSN is quite difficult as there just aren't hardly any jobs for undergrad that are available online.

I'm interested in hearing from others who have had similar teaching interests and situations and were successful in getting in the door, or those who might be in the same situation and what you have done. Also would like to hear from those in the education community about entry into the field and how one might overcome the experience deficit given the present market forces.

All the best,

Darth Practicus, FNP :)

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Does your program have any coursework in education? It seems that neither your MSN or DNP are preparing you for a role in academia. That could be extremely problematic.

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Hi mmj -

Well, as you are aware, the AACN DNP Core Essentials mandate preparation in the role of educator. I did complete 3 additional courses in the concepts of curriculum design, academic issues, and topics in nursing education. My concern is more directed at hands-on experience. Any advice?

Thanks,

Darth Practicus, FNP

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You could be a preceptor for new grad FNPs, and after you've gotten great reviews, try to teach as an adjunct for those schools.

Or you could teach in an online RN-BSN program, then move on to graduate education.

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Hi Zyprexa -

The issue is the sheer shortage of such positions. I've applied to 10 openings for RN-BSN over the past year and never get further than that. It's pretty frustrating when all you hear is how much of a shortage there is of nurse educators, lol.

Thanks,

DP, FNP

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I think the clinical, face-to-face adjunct route is the way to go. EVERYBODY wants online right now, but without experience it's a crap shoot. The for-profits seem to have constant turnover. I work for a non-profit 100% online program, and we are inundated with applicants.

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Hence, my dilemma. :p

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Specializes in Telemetry, nursing education, FNP.

Darth, did you happen to attend Chamberlain for your DNP? I was just online looking at the curriculum and noticed the "health systems leadership" language was the same as your post.

If so, I'd love to get your thoughts on the program!

Thanks,

Kate

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Hey there - Sorry I missed your post, mcleanstrong. I am presently doing the Health Systems Leadership DNP through Chamberlain, so you have a keen eye.

If I were be perfectly honest, I'm just not all that impressed with the core curriculum of the DNP. I don't fault Chamberlain for this. My professors, all save one that is, have been exceptional and helpful in building knowledge. The material just isn't all that interesting. The first couple classes are like Nursing Theory on steroids and I felt my rate of male-pattern baldness accelerating in each of the first two classes. The leadership class, usually third in the program, was fairly relevant and had some crunchier topics for conversation. I'm just starting Population Health, and this class seems to have more to it than just a couple papers and weeks of discussion topics to endure, so that's promising.

It's terribly expensive, but Chamberlain has some nice perks such as being online, flexible in hours, strong technical support team, and a great team of educators. I really like the 8-week class versus the 16-weekers I had to choke down in my MSN.

If you think in terms of analogies, I would say that the DNP is to the MSN what the BSN is the ADN. It builds contexts, broader understandings, and a better global view of healthcare and how it affects patients. It does not really teach you to be a better clinician. There's nothing truly technical that a DNP-prepared FNP might do that a MSN-prepared FNP would not aside from having a better understanding of things at the systems level.

Hope this helps. I welcome any other questions you might have via PM if you have any.

Darth Practicus, FNP

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Specializes in Telemetry, nursing education, FNP.

Thanks, Darth. I tried to PM you just now, but apparently you cannot PM anyone on this site unless you have a minimum of 15 posts, and I'm a bit short. :/

Thanks for your reply re: Chamberlain. I especially appreciate the analogy between ADN->BSN vs MSN->DNP.

Would you mind if I emailed you a few questions I have, specific to the program?

Thanks!

Kate

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You sure can! Go comment a few more times and we can connect easier. I was shy on posts as well.

DP

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Darth, I feel for you - we are constantly hearing about the shortage of teachers and yet there seems to be a bottleneck to pass through for those with advanced degrees to gain entry to the teaching positions.

I have an MSN in Nursing Education and have taught as a clinical adjunct for over five years, but faculty positions at the BSN or higher level all are asking for a terminal degree, either the DNP or PhD, or possibly an EdD. Either way I look at it, it spells a lot more time and money from me to make that next leap. I ventured into teaching a bit in an ADN for-profit school, but did not like the churn and burn pace. The money was also not great.

You will, no doubt, be in a better position with your DNP than those of us with paltry MSNs or clinical teaching experience. If you really want hands-on experience, take a clinical group as an adjunct, or teach a class for one of the for-profit schools. It won't be a glamorous time, probably! But it's hard for me to imagine competing for a faculty position against someone with a DNP, even with my experience. Those letters really talk, Darth!

Check out . They usually have a long page-full of openings for online faculty. They do not have a DNP program yet, but I found their MSN program affordable and good.

Best wishes! Jen-Marie

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