Can I really expect to be hired with just a Masters?

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I am contemplating pursuing a masters in nursing education. I understand about probable pay cut, but I have always loved to teach and have been told I am good at it. However, I am an older nurse, mid-50's, and I cannot imagine being in school for years. A masters seems doable, a doctorate not so much. My concern is that having "just" a masters will limit me to teaching clinicals only, which would mean a drastic pay cut. Even here in Podunk, Illinois, the local schools are requiring their faculty to obtain doctorates if they want to do any classroom teaching. Would there be a market for me with a masters in larger cities, such as the Chicago area? Or is the masters degree essentially useless without further education, like a Bachelors in Psychology, for instance?

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I think it really depends on your location and your flexibility. In my area of the country (not Illinois) there are opportunities for faculty members with only MSN's. Yes, the majority of positions at 4-year programs are for clinical faculty ... but the community colleges and propriety schools use MSN's for classroom teaching as well.

Have you considered the field of Staff Development? If you like teaching, Staff Development is another possibility -- one that only requires an MSN and that usually pays better than academic positions.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Diabetes.

I teach for a state university with only a master's. However, I teach clinical and love it despite the pay cut. My stress level is way better than when I was a hospital nurse. Some of the faculty where I work only have a master's and teach in the classroom, but they have more teaching experience than I do. I just got my master's in 2008.

Rebecca

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

I finished my masters at 49. I teach in a community college, I don't think any of the faculty have more than a masters. I enjoy the classroom very much, but there is a huge difference in salary. I still do hospital work, only teach 2 classes.

I took 5 years to do the degree, because I only took one class a semester; so if you are able to do more you should be done far more quickly. Go for it! :redbeathe

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Specializes in med surg.

where did you all get your MSN?

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Intoo live in podunkville.....er central Il and yes the classroo

teachers all have doctorates mostly PhD and EdD. new school though here is offering DNP. that might be an option?

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Did mine at UNM, online.

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It does depend on the specific area/region and its preferences. I've taught (classroom and clinical) at a respectable :) state university in my state with an MSN (no doctorate).

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Did mine at UNM, online.

JBudd,

what specialty did you study at UNM? How expensive was it? Did you have a good experience? Were your clinicals in the Albuquerque area? How long did you take to complete the program? Did you work or have a family? Was it difficult to find a job afterwards? Overall, do you recommend UNM? And where did you go for your BSN? I am sorry to hijack the thread and bombard you with questions but I am soooo happy I found someone who got their masters at UNM!!

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

I don't have a doctorate and have taught more than just clinicals in northern Indiana. There's some pressure to be working on a doctorate, but it's gentle pressure. I couldn't get tenure without a doctorate. That doesn't matter to me.

Pay is based on how many credit hours you teach. If you only teach a few, let's say one or two clinical courses, that is adjunct. Adjunct faculty earns a whole lot less than non-adjunct faculty. Picture about 1/4th or less per credit hour. At least that's how it was the at the university where I taught adjunct for years and full time for a semester.

I got my BSEd and BSN at Indiana University and my MSN at Valparaiso University. Valpo has a new DNP program, but that's specifically for practicing NPs, not for teacherly types.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.
I am sorry to hijack the thread and bombard you with questions but I am soooo happy I found someone who got their masters at UNM!!

Sent you a PM. :)

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In my area, PA, you can work as an adjunct clinical instructor with just a masters, but it's difficult to get a full time position without a doctorate. Once you've worked as an adjunct for a few years, you can get hired by the community colleges sometimes, but there is more competition for that right now. I've been teaching for several years with my bachelors and am just now finishing my masters. I love teaching, but can't really work and pursue a doctorate right now due to family commitments. I have been looking for something online to teach in addition to the 2 days per week of clinicals that I do. And I've been thinking about trying my hand at writing CEU courses. Or possibly teaching NCLEX. I need to add something to my part time adjunct position, but need something somewhat flexible at this point.

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