Leaving the "floor" for Nurse Educator

[megb2104]

Hello fellow nurses!

I have been an RN for 4+ years and travel nurse for 1+ year. I became a nurse because of what I thought would be a lot of patient care and helping people, but instead, find myself already feeling burnt out and 90% of my day is charting.

I recently graduated with my MSN in education, and was offered a job as an ADN faculty (yay!). However, the pay is a big jump...we're talking roughly $86,000/year (traveling) to $48,000/year (educator salary)..yikes! I feel like with the hours, summers, weekends and holidays off to spend with my family and son it will be worth the pay cut. Not to mention being run ragged 4 days a week.

Has anyone else left the "floor" to become and educator or is anyone thinking about it?? Was it the right choice?? Any feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you!!!!

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Only you know whether or not your finances can take a 45% hit. If you have a spouse, that will be a decision to work out together.

[TriciaJ, RN]

If you can still afford basic necessities and are excited about your new job - why not? Your son will have better childhood memories with you being around more (and less stressed) than with all the stuff you might have bought him.

If this is ringing your chimes, go for it. And congratulations!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Although I am planning to start an MSN program with a specialization in nursing education next month, I wouldn't want to work in academia due to the steep pay cut. Although I could live off the lower pay, I wouldn't necessarily want to.

I'm more interested in hospital nurse educator positions. They tend to pay competitively, offer flexible work scheduling, and allow the nurse educator the opportunity to actually educate others.

[megb2104]

I agree, I think working in the hospital setting as an educator would be great as well. Good hours and better pay. Plus, I think it would help keeping you current with the most up to date practices.

[megb2104]

TriciaJ, I agree. I think that while my son is in school we will get to spend more time together. When he's older, I think I will definitely come back to travel nursing.

[NurseIndependa]

Most of my nursing school instructors taught during the semester but kept PRN or part time positions in neighboring hospitals. When school was out for breaks, they were able to increase the number of shifts they worked to earn extra money. This could always be a viable option.

[OCNRN63, RN]

My nursing instructors were required to work during the summer in order to remain competent and up to date.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I concur with the idea of keeping your clinical skills current by working PRN as a staff nurse. That's what many of our local faculty do. They augment their income and maintain their skills, keeping lots of options open. Working 1 or 2 shifts per month should be do-able while school is in session -- and working a little more than that should be no problem when school is not is session.

I do it in reverse. I work as a staff educator full time (better money and benefits) ... and teach a occasional course for a local university to keep that door open.

[NOADLS]

You are taking a pay cut to do less work. You decide if it is worth it. You know your personal life better than anyone on here. If this place allows you to take OT to work on the floor, that might be a workaround.

[walkingdeadhead]

I moved from critical care to education. I didn't have as severe of a paycut though. For me the move was worth it. I still work casual in my old unit, so over the summer and winter and periodically throughout the year I make extra money. I love teaching and even though the prep, grading, meetings, etc. takes extra time, it doesn't feel like work to me. In a year or two, I plan to work on a doctorate which should come with a huge pay increase when all is said and done.

[megb2104]

walkingdeadhead, thanks for your input!! I think it will be a good move :) doctorate is a great idea as well and hopefully in my future too!