Can you Teach as a NP, what was your journey like, and what else does it entail

[honeyforasalteyfish]

I know its a long road for me, but I have this dream of becoming a NP someday in the back of my mind. I am also hoping to someday become a Nursing instructor way down the road. I do not know if these goals are even compatible, or attainable given my situation.

Right now I am 27, I feel old, but I am in pre nursing. I am taking anat one gen chem, and micro. A busy semester, but after this I graduate with an associates in science, I am eligible to apply to a few nursing programs. I decided to wait until the fall, and get more coursework under my belt so I can apply to half a dozen or more programs, rather than trying to press my way into a program as quickly as possible.

Another thing about me is I suffer from depression. I am stable, happy, and diligent in maintaining my mental health. I was twice voluntarily hospitalized years ago however, so there is that black mark against me. I am hoping by the time I reach nursing school it will be a non issue, but it is always in the back of my mind.

It was a NP who probably saved my life, and inspired this dream. Yet the more I learn the more I think I would be happy just to be allowed to hold a BSN by the time I am 29/30.

I had an 11cm lung abscess, I was spitting up pus and blood, the resident said he wasn't worried prescribed anti-biotics and sent me home. A week later I am back at the same clinic they send in an NP she said imediatley she was worried sent me for a chest x-ray, and off to the hospital. She very well may have saved my life.

I hear its basically 8 years to become a NP 4 years of BSN, two years experience, and two more years of NP school.

Still I am interested, and hope to pursue it as far as I can, it may become totally unfeasible for me given my situation, and age. Yet I would like to perform due diligence in research for the future.

What was your road to either acceptance to an NP program like, or your experience as an NP?

[PA_RN87, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

I'm actually an RN, BSN currently studying in an MSN-FNP program. I also currently work as a clinical instructor for a practical nursing program. You can get your foot into the education door early, it just depends where you start. Most RN programs require you to either be Master's prepared, or higher if you want classroom. Some PN programs may be happy with a BSN, although they're moving towards requiring PN faculty to have a master's as well (at least in my state). Several of the other instructors I work with are also BSN holders studying in a master's program. You can also consider starting teaching for a CNA program with your RN or BSN, not sure specifically, but something to consider. The point is, YES! You can teach with your NP degree :)

[honeyforasalteyfish]

I'm actually an RN, BSN currently studying in an MSN-FNP program. I also currently work as a clinical instructor for a practical nursing program. You can get your foot into the education door early, it just depends where you start. Most RN programs require you to either be Master's prepared, or higher if you want classroom. Some PN programs may be happy with a BSN, although they're moving towards requiring PN faculty to have a master's as well (at least in my state). Several of the other instructors I work with are also BSN holders studying in a master's program. You can also consider starting teaching for a CNA program with your RN or BSN, not sure specifically, but something to consider. The point is, YES! You can teach with your NP degree :)

Thanks, I would love to teach CNA classes! Long way to go for me though