faculty not practicing as staff nurse

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Apr 3, 2017

I think it is essential to keep working at the bedside, although it can be almost impossible to balance the schedule and time commitments. I'm lucky to have an educator job 24 hours a week, which allows me time for a 12 hour shift. I find most educators are not able to do that. You will fall further and further behind the constantly changing practice over time. There is not an easy fix for this problem. Perhaps if you could find a place that would hire you back during school breaks, like summer, you could stay current. But of course, who wants to work on all their time off... Good luck.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Apr 3, 2017

I am a clinical unit/service line educator and while I don't take full shifts, I do help at the bedside when there are multiple patients at the same time or if there is a difficult patient who needs something we rarely do, like autotransfusion. I love being able to still be hands-on. Keep looking, OP â€” hopefully you will find something!

llg, PhD, RN · Apr 3, 2017

I've work with a lot of clinical faculty who have per diem jobs at local hospitals. They only work 1 or 2 shifts per month when school is in session. They work a little more often when school is not in session. For example, if they are not teaching in the summer. They might work 1 shift per week over the Christmas break, etc.

The facility you worked in before you got the faculty position might be more willing to let you take that kind of role than somewhere you never worked before.

I know a couple people who work as part time staff educators ... teaching CPR classes, helping with orientation, etc. Again, it might only be 3 or 4 hours per pay period during the semester, but it keeps them in touch with what is happening in the clinical facility.

JaxJax5423 · Apr 3, 2017

the facility I left does not offer any Per diem. That would have been ideal. I will just keep applying. Thanks for feedback.

JaxJax5423 · Apr 6, 2017

wow, today I have now been declined about 5 times. again, being told I don't have the experience they are looking for because it's been too long (8 months). So I guess my 6 years of experience, including precepting, training and quality is all a waste. I'm so disappointed. I have definitely pigeon holed myself into nursing education. Very sad about this.

Calalilynurse · Apr 8, 2017

I know it's hard but keep trying someone will give you an offer. It is best to keep up to date with bedside skills while teaching. I wish more instructors realized how important that is like you have.

allnurses Guide · Apr 11, 2017

This is where your connections should pay off. Let nurse friends and other staff at your teaching facility know you are looking. You need your resume to bypass the automatic rejection machine of initial computerized sorting and get your name in front of a manager, who can request your resume be pulled.

JaxJax5423 · Apr 11, 2017

great idea. thanks!

allnurses Guide · Apr 16, 2017

have you considered working through an agency that places you? I am always getting recruiting calls from various agencies.

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Apr 17, 2017

I do this also. If I am able, I attend all codes, full traumas, and emergent patients. I lend a hand until the situation is stable, then get out of the way. This helps me to learn from the A team, and stay current.

JaxJax5423 · Apr 17, 2017

yes agencies call and they have no idea about anything. ...ie: try to place me in an OR travel contract job. I wonder if they even look at my resume (not even an OR nurse). I did a 2 month onboarding and was told the job was 1 and a half hours away! Ive been turned down by a few agencies because my 8 month gap.