Educator and NP: can you have it both ways?

[curlygirlie3]

I am currently part-time clinical faculty at my ADN alma mater. I love leading the students around, watching them perform skills, and explaining new concepts. I also used to tutor ADN students before I started with clinical rotations.

Recently, I was accepted into the Duke University FNP program. I choose FNP because I want the advanced clinical knowledge and the option to continue to interact with a patient population.

I think I would be interested in entering the nursing education field at some point, but I would want to give my students the best education possible.

My questions to all you lovely nurse educators out there are:

Do you work with educators who have NP degrees?

Are they at a big disadvantage when it comes to lecturing or designing a lesson plan?

What are your thoughts?

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I have worked with several NP-prepared nurses who chose to enter (hospital-based) education rather than remain in clinical practice. Just like someone who wanted to go the other way (educator --> NP) they had to take some additional classes related to education & master an entirely new skill set. Education is a distinct discipline, not just a pastime. OTOH, I also knew a few academic educators who were pressured to obtain NPs back when schools were putting all their eggs into that particular basket. They did not practice as NPs - one worked part time for a while in a clinic for about 6 months. I only know one NP (pediatric) (PhD) who continues to be actively involved in a clinical practice as well as teach in her specialty area... she has a joint appointment with the hospital & school.

So - yep, it can be done but will probably require a very supportive & collaborative arrangement between your clinical & academic employers.

I am a Dir of Clinical Education for a large system... the majority of my facility-based nurse educators are MSN - education, but a few are CNS.