How much experience makes a good instructor?

Published

Specializes in ER.

So, just to pick the brains of a few wise nurses, tell me what you think about this....

I graduated from an ADN program last May. One of my fellow students, while in the nursing program, was taking classes to go towards BSN at the same time. So after we graduated in May, they immediately did an RN-BSN-MSN program, got a job in a small ICU, and just finished up with the BSN portion of it this past May.

Well, they just interviewed for an Associate Professior position at the CC we graduated with for our ASN.

It just IRRITATES ME to think somebody with ONE YEAR of nursing experience thinks they are qualified to mold the minds of new nurses. Maybe they could teach some basic nursing courses.... The "History of Nursing" course, or whatever... but what about clinicals? How can they teach people in clinicals unless it's in the EXACT unit they have worked with.

I think I'm a good nurse - as good of a nurse as you CAN be with a year of experience. I do have SOME things I can teach nursing students. But having all those students firing questions about situations I have never been in? Uhhhh.... idk...

What do you think?!

EDIT: Just want to say that in my state, under certain circumstances, you can be hired as a professor while completing your MSN to address the shortage of nursing instructors. Just before somebody asks about it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical Surgical & Nursing Manaagement.

I agree with you. This sounds very much like new graduates (BSN) going directly into a Nurse Practitioner program with absolutely no experience!

In my state many hospitals will not entertain hiring associate degree nurses, so your peers that are teaching, my question is to who and what?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

I think you should have at least 5 yrs under your belt.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Maybe 5 years minimum to be a clinical instructor, and perhaps 10 years minimum for instructor.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

In general, BSN prepared nurses can teach ASN/ADN nursing students if they're working on their MSN. In fact, BSN prepared nurses can teach BSN clinicals if they're working on their MSN.

Just because she interviewed doesn't mean she'll get the job. Maybe she interviewed for the experience of the interview, so future interviews will be easier?

I started teaching clinicals a few years after I got my BSN. I taught them where I worked though, and knew where everything was kept, and had lovely coworkers to help me out as needed. I also had experience as a public school teacher.

I think it's hard enough to be a new nurse without trying to teach upcoming nurses. I wouldn't hire someone with those credentials.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Tele, Stepdown, Med/Surg, education.

I agree at least 5 years a strong clinical background. What state are you in? I didn't know you could teach RNs with a BSN. I teach in a LPN program and we will not hire a nurse with 1 year of experience at all. It takes 1 year to get time management down. Interesting

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wouldn't want a CI who had no more than 1 year of experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Mixed ICU, OHU.

I wouldnt want to precept someone with only a year under my belt, let alone teach a course.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

Just because she interviewed doesn't mean she'll get the job. Maybe she interviewed for the experience of the interview, so future interviews will be easier?

I would really just be straight up embarrassed to go into an interview to be a professor with my experience! I mean, that, to me, feels like they would just look and laugh!

But, I do know that teaching is why they became a nurse. Not to do bedside. But I think nursing, of ALL majors, requires at least 5 years of actual experience to be a good instructor.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.
I agree at least 5 years a strong clinical background. What state are you in? I didn't know you could teach RNs with a BSN. I teach in a LPN program and we will not hire a nurse with 1 year of experience at all. It takes 1 year to get time management down. Interesting

I'm in Georgia. Whooohoo, the peach state! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

I've been a nurse for 16 years, and sometimes I feel like it's not enough experience.

This girl ( or guy) has one year, one specialty, one hospital (I am assuming) and no med surg?? Considering med surg is a huge part of the AD curriculum, I'd say he/she is not going to meet the qualifications.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU, ED, Infection Control, Education, cardiology.

I started teaching ADN's after about 3 years in a level one specialty ICU and some experience in med/surg. I do just fine teaching my specialty. The NLN (which oversees the school) lets me teach with just my BSN. The only requirement is that I must be enrolled in an MSN program, which I am. There is a monetary fine that can be given to the school if this criteria is not met (which has happened), so I have a program plan on file with the director. There are many factors that go into teaching. Personally, I am a horrible person to do a lecture, but I love the bedside and this is where I like to teach. There are many positions within a program and you never know where someone will fit in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion