Your Professional Advice, Please

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

Applying at local community college for ADN nursing faculty position. This is the same community college from which I graduated 6 years ago. Went on to get my BSN (RN-BSN program at local university).

Due to the severe nursing shortage and the fact that the community college has TWO nursing faculty positions to fill, they are willing to accept BSN's for the position (if no one else applies) with the stipulation that the candidate agrees to pursue a Master's degree. (I believe the state will pay the cost of Master's education for the hiree also ). I have found a Master's program which I like--at the School of Health and Human Performance at the state university (which is only 30 miles from my house). This would be a Masters of Art in Teaching in Health Education and would supply, upon graduation, a teacher's license to boot!!! The program is mostly online, does not require a master's thesis, and seems very student friendly (I REALLY liked the academic advisor for this program--good "feel" about it all). I had been in a FNP program a few years ago, but dropped, because of personal circumstances (which are MUCH better now) and the fact I really questioned whether FNP was for me. The Master's nursing curriculum at the university doesn't seem to offer much besides FNP-type stuff (phased out nurse specialist programs). I think I am more an education-type person than primary care provider person.

I have yet to go to the job interview--however, application is complete and turned in. I know it would help in the interview to let them know that I already have a Master's program lined up for the fall (have tentatively enrolled in the MAT-Health ED).

Anyway, I would appreciate all insights, advice, pointers that anyone out there could offer me .

THANK YOU!!!!

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I dont have any insights, advice, or pointers, but it sounds like an awesome opportunity and you have all your ducks in a row. If you love teaching, then teach :) Do what makes you happiest.

Best of luck always,

Linda

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Specializes in CV-ICU.

Check the requirements for the educators for the ADN program. They may require a MSN, but will accept any Masters' degree at this point (or even the BSN studying for a Masters').

I know several nurses who got their Bachelors' degree in Allied Health and found out later that it wouldn't help them get into either anesthesia school or a postion in nursing management. This same glitch could happen in education, I've been told; so check it out before spending all that time and $$$ first. It is possible that it may work at this school, and if you are happy there, you may be just fine with that other Masters degree. But if you ever wish to go teach elsewhere, this Masters may hinder your chances at teaching nursing elsewhere.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Also check the state BON--PA's is specific which degree's are acceptable and must have it within five years. You have a well thought out plan. Good luck.

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Wow! So all master degrees arent created equal!

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Specializes in Home Health.

Sounds great! I would love to be able to do that with my BSN. You would think more schools who are crying for nursing instructors would be doing this. I couldn't even get a PT spot in the lab doing visual exams on things like bedmaking in my AAS former alma mater, so if you get the chance GO FOR IT. Just in case they won't take the MA in health ed, have a back up idea for a masters in nursing. Look for another program and present that as well, in case they poo-poo your idea for the MA Health ed degree.

Frankly I would love to try that myself, the MS in health ed that is. Can you pm me and tell me what school that is, and is it possible a distance learning option, like courses via internet? I'm in NJ.

I heard that some nursing schools are so anal about the masters that if you get a masters in maternal child nursing, you can only teach OB and not med-surg, which of course makes sense, but isn't that ridiculous when over half the nursing instructors are going to retire in the next like 10 years or something?

Do it, the degree, whichever it is will be free, and that alone is a major bargain when master courses are like 720 a credit to start!! I envy you your choice! Good luck w your decision.

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

I agree that you should check with your State BON. In IL, it must be a Master's in Nursing, or you can't teach in any RN program. Good luck!

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Vicky,

I would like to hear more about the MSN program you are looking at. Could you give the name of the college?

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

To Hoolahan, JennyP, Jolie, Karen, Teshie, Linda, Lever, et al.:

THANKS for all your great advice, encouragement, kind words. I live in North Carolina and am contacting the NC Board of Nursing to make sure this Master's program will qualify for their requirements for ADN instructors. This is not an MSN program, but a MAT--Health Education program, offered at East Carolina University, in Greenville, NC.

You can look it over at the following web site:

http://www.ecu.edu/hlth/grad/program.htm

http://www.research2.ecu.edu/grad/ccuhtm_files/appinfo.htm

MOST of this program is online (the HEALTH part); however, the format of the EDUCATION curriculum is still under development and will require, at the minimum, some onsite attendance. This could pose a problem for me, with my work schedule, and am keeping this under consideration in my final decision.

It will probably be several weeks before I find out from the community college if they are interested in hiring me. Will keep everything on hold until I hear from them and from the NCBON. Will keep you guys posted.... :)

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