If you're burned out at the bedside...

I have no desire to ever be a FT bedside nurse ever again. I do not dislike clinical with students though. They are different in my mind. It is difficult for me to explain....I like the relationship between instructor and student at the bedside.

The biggest problem I would have being a clinical instructor would be keeping a straight face while teaching the students how it's supposed to be done rather than the way it actually is done. What is taught in nursing school is the idealized notion of nursing,......it exists only in textbooks and lectures. Not in the real world. Unfortunately. Plus, the huge pay cut instructors face is an embarrassment to the profession.

Just don't bring any "burned out" or jaded attitudes and behaviors to your instructor job. Students deserve an instructor who can present a positive picture of nursing. Students should not be taught by someone who displays a negative, burned out, or jaded attitude.

Realism, yes .... but burned out or jaded, no.

Not jaded, just burned out. I wouldn't bring a bad attitude to the classroom, yes, I understand that is a very unhelpful thing to do. My favorite instructors were the happy, enthusiastic ones. I can still be that, hence the reason I'm trying to leave the bedside now.

keep in mind, depending on the school, teaching can give you a very, very small paycheck...much smaller than bedside nursing

keep in mind, depending on the school, teaching can give you a very, very small paycheck...much smaller than bedside nursing

I have noticed. LOL. However, I am in the fortunate position that money is not an object for me, really, so I can cut pretty deep into the pay scale and still be okay. Honestly at this point in the game I just want to do something I enjoy, regardless of the pay. I really enjoy working with students.