How can I teach Med-Surg.

heysmalls · Feb 25, 2006

Hey

All of the nursing instructors that I had all had their MSN. One instructor was working on her MSN through the online program of University of Pheonix. She had said that they were really good. I have checked into the program and it sounds good. However, it costs some money and I unfortunately have to wait at this time. Also University of Jacksonville (Florida) has a program. I don't know how well it is though. Hopes this information helps.

Jonda

twinpumpkin · Feb 25, 2006

You must have a Master's degree to teach credit classes at the college level...either at a community college or a university. That's for lecture. I'm not sure about clinicals. All of the clinical instructors I had were MSNs who taught for an ADN program.

Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, TX has an online master's program. You can check it out.

elkpark · Feb 25, 2006

Not all states require a Master's to teach nursing at the community college level -- some leave it up to the individual school. Lots of CCs use BSN-prepared people as clinical instructors but require an MSN for classroom/lecture teaching.

However, most schools require a minimum of two years' clinical experience as an RN before they will consider hiring you to teach, so you will have plenty of time to decide on your next steps.

McGyverRN · Mar 2, 2006

Hello everyone. I am fairly new and haven't posted in a while. I will graduate in 3 months with my BSN. I really would love to teach Med-Surg. But I have a few questions. Can I instruct clinicals in an ADN program without an MSN degree? Can I teach Med-Surg in an ADN program without an MSN degree? Eventually maybe within a year I am considering getting an MSN in Education. But it has to be an online program......does anyone know of a good online MSN education degree program? And what is the difference of teaching with a BSN VS MSN? Sorry for all the questions. Im just confused. Thanks.

Please do yourself and your potential students a huge favor, and get some good, strong med-surg experience before getting into education. Book work will not teach you everything you need to know. Clinical experience is worth volumes. I have been an RN in med-surg for six years and I learn something new every day. Students who do not have instructors with strong clinical experience are done a huge disserivice. Ulitimitely it is not fair to the patients, because one day those students will be nurses. I know many nurses who work while pursuing their advanced degrees. Good luck to you.

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Mar 8, 2006

Please do yourself and your potential students a huge favor, and get some good, strong med-surg experience before getting into education. Book work will not teach you everything you need to know. Clinical experience is worth volumes. I have been an RN in med-surg for six years and I learn something new every day. Students who do not have instructors with strong clinical experience are done a huge disserivice. Ulitimitely it is not fair to the patients, because one day those students will be nurses. I know many nurses who work while pursuing their advanced degrees. Good luck to you.

I agree 100%. Concentrate on getting experience. You need lots of it, before anyone will consider hiring you to teach.

As far as the degree, there are exceptions. At the very least, you need to be enrolled in a master's program. It is strongly preferred that you have your masters, even for ADN, and this is true for the area in which you live.

As far as distance learning, don't really know. I got a pop-up on Yahoo for an online MSN in Ed program (but it's gone now). If it comes up again, I'll post it.