Can CRNAs teach?

allnurses Guide · Jun 8, 2012

So I have been researching the web constantly for info on CRNAs and possible teaching opportunities. I have been an RN for 2 years now and I am currently in school for my MSN,CNL degree. This program (MSN/CNL) is a part-time two year program, because of this I will be able to gain valuable work experience while attending school. My plan after completion of my MSN is to obtain a DNP-CRNA degree. My question is this: do CRNAs teach as well as do clinical work? Ultimately, I would like to work as a CRNA in the OR and do adjunct teaching as well. Is this realistic? Also, with my DNP would teaching opportunities be restricted to clinical teaching or would I also be able to teach didactic work? Any info that can be provided would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

No offense, but of course CRNAs teach. Who do you think teach at nurse anesthesia schools? DNP didactic faculty are a new phenomenon. It will depend on each school how they view/utilize DNP-CRNA instructors. You have to remember that being a CRNA with a Doctorate is going to be the new standard, so just having your DNP is probably not going to be enough in the future to secure an academic slot.

A lot of nurse anesthesia schools require or highly encourage their CRNA faculty to stay current by working part-time in the OR.

MCRN1 · Jun 11, 2012

wtbcrna, I believe I may have phrased my question in the wrong way. My main reason for posting this question is to find out whether or not being a CRNA and teaching on the side is feasible. Due to the fact that being a CRNA is a full-time job and being a professor would also be a full-time commitment I was wondering what other CRNAs/professors thought...

BCRNA · Jun 19, 2012

There are plenty of people who do both. To keep clinical skills you would probably need to do at least 20 hours a week as a CRNA. Having a DNP will aid in obtaining a position as both a clinical instructor and didactic instructor. A Phd would only give you the ability to teach and actually do research. It depends on what you want your focus to be.

You would have to practice some as a CRNA, or you would quickly become unqualified to teach clinical anesthesia. The amount of clinical practice required is different for each school, I know a few guys who work 16 hours a week in clinical, a few (program directors) who do only 8 per week. Keep in mind that if you lack clinical experience, students and anesthetists would not respect your opinions or suggestions.

kennycrna · Jul 30, 2013

Should I just go get a Nursing Education degree INSTEAD of going to CRNA school to go through rigorous academic work, if i plan to teach later in future? Every advice is appreciated.

nomadcrna, DNP, CRNA, NP · Jul 30, 2013

You won't be teaching CRNAs with a nursing education degree.

ruler of kolob · Aug 3, 2013

Yup.. Teaching CRNAs is SCIENCE... not NURSING...

msn10 · Sep 8, 2013

You won't be teaching CRNAs with a nursing education degree.

I do, but not clinicals.

I think the OP has an interesting question and a responsible one. One of my degrees is in nursing education and the focus is not about teaching 'nursing,' rather the focus is on teaching adults in experimental and situational-based learning environments. As with any other profession, I did not fully realize the value of the degree until I completed it. If you want to be good at teaching, (I mean really good) and understand how adult students learn, how to teach critical thinking (because there is a science to it), how to create and evaluate an evidence-based curriculum, how to provide effective and valuable feedback, how to grade effectively and fairly, how to motivate, how to teach to different learning styles, personality types, genders, and generations, and how to apply theory to practice, then a nursing education degree is valuable addition.

There are way too many 'teachers' in all fields of nursing who have a PhD or DNP, but in a specialty unrelated to teaching and are ineffective teachers and then the students suffer. One of my colleagues has 3 or 4 advanced degrees, but she received her MSN in nursing education years ago. Since one of her PhD's is in medical ethics, she is the medical ethics instructor at the medical college and she is one of the highest rated professors there.

To the OP - your students someday will thank you.