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!!!!

[megb2104]

NOADLS yeah, of course it is my life and my decision after all is said and done. Just wanted feedback from people who have taken a similar course, and wondering if they were happy with the decision. Thanks for your input! :)

[megb2104]

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.

Also a great idea, staff educator would be great I think!