Career advice for aspiring nurse educator

[Christina.f0602]

Hi I am writing this post seeking career advice. I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions for how to reach my goal?

Ideally I would like to become a nurse educator on a surgical floor. Also would be interested in becoming a college/university professor.

I have two years experience in thoracic/general surgery (RN job with occasional charge duties).

I just got a new job working as an RN on a trauma/neurosurgery ward (been there for four months now).

I am halfway through my Master of Nursing in Leadership and Education.

What else should I do that would help me reach this goal? Do I need ICU experience to get an educator job?

TYIA.

*I am based in Ontario if thats helpful

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

An MSN in EDUCATION is what you want. There is not education / pedagogy content (which you will need) in a Leadership/ Management degree.

[WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

On 2/27/2020 at 1:36 PM, meanmaryjean said:

An MSN in EDUCATION is what you want. There is not education / pedagogy content (which you will need) in a Leadership/ Management degree.

It says she is pursuing a degree in nursing leadership and education, which covers that content.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Working on your degree is great. Start looking for opportunities to make connections with the Education department where you work. Volunteer as a Super User for new initiatives. Get experience being Charge. Get experience as a Preceptor. Plan in-services.

Some community colleges utilize BSN prepared nurses for assistants in skills lab or in sim lab. See if one near you has openings like this and consider applying.

[Golden_RN, MSN]

You can (1) talk to the management and nsg education dept at your employer and volunteer to teach an inservice or other class, (2) look for part time clinical instructor positions at a college in addition to your primary job.

Does your MSN program require clinical hours in an educational setting? If so, that's a great way to network.