Compensation fair or not?

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · May 5, 2018

It is what it is- nothing inherently 'fair' or 'unfair' about it.

jennycRN · May 5, 2018

Adjunct positions vary quite a bit in terms of pay and expectations for the instructor. It would be good to get a ballpark idea of how much time you would need to spend per week in terms of grading and student interaction to determine if it is worthwhile to accept the position. I would also weigh other potential benefits--- experience, tuition reimbursement, etc.

Oldmahubbard · May 6, 2018

I have no information about that particular employment market.

However, at 2000 a course, with no benefits, one would have to teach 50 courses a year to make 100k, and then also cover health insurance and retirement.

So, realistically, 75 courses a year, to make a reasonable wage, given the amount of education you must have to qualify for the position.

Is that feasible?

Sounds a lot like substitute teaching at the secondary level. 80 dollars a day.

A few people do get offered an actual position that way, but most never do.

SpankedInPittsburgh, DNP, RN · May 7, 2018

I guess you have to decide if it would be worth it to you. It wouldn't to me as that's like a couple days OT on the weekend. I'd do the Nancy Reagan and just say no

kbrn2002, ADN, RN · May 7, 2018

If that's what the position offers you can either say yes or no, there's probably not much if any negotiating room. As to rather or not it's worth it, I guess that kind of depends on how much work is involved in teaching the course. If it's very part time $2000 a 3 credit course might be perfectly fair, if it's more involved that might be a very low offer. You really need to crunch some numbers and figure out about much your hourly wage would be if the job were to pay by the hour to figure out if it's a reasonable offer or not.

Katillac, RN · May 7, 2018

A three credit course is three hours of class time per week plus I imagine at least two hours of prep and grading for every hour in class. So for a typical semester of 15 weeks, you're talking $2,000 divided by 9 hours a week X 15 weeks or $14.81 an hour.

I'm not surprised to hear that's what is offered; only you can decide if it's worth it.

allnurses Guide · May 7, 2018

And they wonder why there is a shortage of instructors.

I would say no thank you and send the above breakdown to hourly back to them.

llg, PhD, RN · May 7, 2018

Hello nurse educators,
I have applied for an online adjunct position in a state owned baccalaureate program. The announcement says instructors will be paid a figure slightly above $2000 per semester, per 3 credit hour course. To me this seems to be on the low side. What do you say?

That is right around the national average -- maybe slightly below. Is it "fair"? Of course not. But it is the "standard" pay for that job. Only you can decide whether it is worth it for you to take the job or not.

I teach a couple of online courses each year for a little more money money than that. I feel that I am underpaid -- but it is worth it to me for a couple of reasons. It gets me online access to a good university library, a benefit that I greatly appreciate.

It also is a "security blanket" for me -- it is something I could do more of for a while if I lost my other job working for a hospital. As an adjunct faculty member, I would have access to their group health insurance if I needed it. Also, it is something I could do for a year or two after I retire in a few years -- something for some cash that might allow me to delay taking Social Security (or dipping into retirement savings) a little bit longer.

The extra cash per year is not a lot ... but I have teaching as an adjunct for a little over 10 years. Add all that up, and it has allowed me to pay my mortgage off early ... take some nice vacations... and help my nieces and nephew with college tuition.

So ... all in all ... the low pay is irritating ... but I still feel the job has been worth it to me.

MikeyT-c-IV · May 9, 2018

I'm glad you posted this question. I've been curious about the ballpark figure for online adjunct positions. I think it would be worth it for the experience and an opportunity to figure out if it is your thing. If not, 16 weeks will fly by.

feelix, RN · May 10, 2018

When I started off as a face to face adjunct, I made a little over double that figure. That is the reason I asked. I will probably take this opportunity, firstly, to get online teaching experience, secondly, as part of my retirement/disability/unemployment/old age plan. Something to keep me gainfully employed when I cannot do 12 hour clinical shifts or labs with my students.

LilyRN99 · May 10, 2018

Hi, I don't have any online teaching experience but I would think there would be advantages to that job over face to face teaching. You may not need to lecture which would save a ton of time. I took my BSN online and the lectures were pre-recorded and not done by my class's instructor. My instructor graded my papers and was part of an online discussion board. You save transportation time and cost. You can also answer emails and do grades when ever it is convenient to you which would allow you to do other work. It should be a good experience. I would consider it if I had a MSN.