What about options?

klone, MSN, RN · Apr 5, 2004

How about getting a job at a college/university as a nursing instructor? They're in great demand (my theory is one of the reasons why there is such a nursing shortage is because there aren't enough people around to teach student nurses), although it probably wouldn't pay as well as someone with a Masters actually working IN patient care.

ms.hmg · Apr 5, 2004

How about getting a job at a college/university as a nursing instructor? They're in great demand (my theory is one of the reasons why there is such a nursing shortage is because there aren't enough people around to teach student nurses), although it probably wouldn't pay as well as someone with a Masters actually working IN patient care.

I actually started out wanting to teach at the university level, until I had my graduate assistantship. Teaching nursing school might be much different than teaching health 101( as far as the students and their desire to learn is concerned). I like teaching and working one on one with people in health education. I once heard a nurse say about their idea and personal statement on health education of her patients in the dialysis clinic, "I tell my patients if they eat wrong then they are going to die." "I do not care about all these ideas with health ed, all these people in health ed, can take their theories on health and you know what, they are either going to do right or not."

What makes me so sad about this, is that there are better ways to get those patients not to eat the high phosphorus foods while on dialysis, and perhaps with my health ed, I can make a difference? maybe not in all people who are hard headed, because I have worked with those in smoking programs, but there are some. but yes, I am considering teaching in addition to working in a hospital perhaps as an adjunct, or after years of experience, as a full teacher, thanks for your reply!:)

heatherbless · Apr 5, 2004

Hi, I just registered with allnurses to see if I could get advice and support from nurses instead of asking professors in my department. I have just finished my masters in health education and am starting nursing school in the fall. I am wondering about my career options out there with my health education and nursing. I also have a degree in spanish but I know that is just a benefit with a career. I am open to all fields dealing with health care except administration, I spent a whole year in a MPH program for health administration and I hated it. What I am wondering is, with my past education and my future RN, what are my options in a hospital, or other places? I decided on nursing because I am interested in more clinical health care and patient education rather than researching health programs and designing them. If anyone out there can help, it would be nice! Thanks

you will have a great background. Why don't you aim for clinical trials--that is pretty good pay and working with people in a clinical element.

Altra, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2004

Some good suggestions here ...

It also occurred to me that being a diabetes educator might be an option you'd want to consider - lots of patient contact, and an exploding field, from what I understand. Or a dietician? I know R.D.'s are master's prepared, but I don't know exactly what the educational/career path is.

Good luck! :)

ms.hmg · Apr 5, 2004

Some good suggestions here ...
It also occurred to me that being a diabetes educator might be an option you'd want to consider - lots of patient contact, and an exploding field, from what I understand. Or a dietician? I know R.D.'s are master's prepared, but I don't know exactly what the educational/career path is.
Good luck! :)

I considered nutrition, and took 12 hours of it on the grad level as my electives in my degree and I was persuaded into thinking of it with the nutrition department, but I was really more interested in education and health as a whole at the time, nutrition education is okay from time to time, but I really do not want to do it all the time! My best friend is an RD/MS and she really likes what she does but its not for me. My mom is a nurse and I see the field is wide open for options, so that is why I am sticking to nursing, but as for an interest in diabetes, YES, I am so interested in doing that but I hope nurses do that too, and not just dieticians. Thanks for your reply!:)

ms.hmg · Apr 5, 2004

you will have a great background. Why don't you aim for clinical trials--that is pretty good pay and working with people in a clinical element.

Hi,

Thanks for your reply, I am new to nursing and do not start "nursing" until the fall. I am not aware of what I would be doing in a clinical trial? Could you help me with that more? :uhoh3: