Clinical nurse educators...

Published

At our hospital the nurse educator is considered "leadership " along with managers and directors. The educator plugs in to staffing and charges as well. Because of inconsistencies between units they are reevaluating if educators should take weekend call.

I accepted this role (just 3 months ago) without that expectation. Now I'm about to be presented with the new job description to include taking call on weekends. Do unit clinical educators at your facility take call? Do they staff and charge regularly?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB, Women’s health, Educator, Leadership.

No they do not

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Staffing? If the unit is critically staffed, then yes - even the directors will roll up their shirt sleeves. Call? No.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

We fill in on staffing when the flu hits the fan, but we do not take a patient assignment. We help run meds, get vitals, toilet patients, take patients in PACU and the like. We do not serve on call. I could not. I live over 40 minutes away from my facility.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

No call. Our unit educators have taken patients maybe twice in two years (critical care areas). Both times have been for only a few hours, until more staff nurses could come in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB/L&D/ patho.

No, nor do they work holidays or weekends OR take call!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Are you paid hourly or salary???

Up Vote Up Vote ×

yes, hourly pay.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks so much!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Bariatric Specialty Hosp Educator.

I do help staff when needed, especially when our staffing is tight. when I started my job a year ago we had 95% agency nurse staff. I learned the unit workflow in order to orient new staff accordingly. A year later, we are now fully staffed. I have one scheduled day this month to staff on the nursing unit. Otherwise I have the time to plan and prepare for keeping education current for our staff.  I do go out to the nursing unit when I am working to help cover lunches and such. This helps me get a pulse on the education needs of our staff as well. I do not cover weekends or Holidays. Ours is a small  surgical specialty hospital. (15 beds)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The places I've worked at has own department of educators. If that's the case, the educators do not take calls/pt care. But I've heard of other unit educators who are not part of the education department, instead they were hired by the managers/director of the unit- then, they assist with staffing needs. It seems like that might be the difference?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion