new career search insite! need advice and information

Published

Hello everyone and Happy New Year!

I have recently graduated with my MSN in education and currently searching for positions in this area! My background includes med-surg for a year and labor and delivery for the last 4 years. My goal is to one day become an educator at the university level. However, I have only been able to find positions at hospitals and offices for educators. I have been applying to these positions with the hope that I obtain one of these positions and gain experience to help me one day become an educator at the university level. I have recently had a recruiter call me for a position as an educator at an obgyn office. Does anyone have any experience with this type of educator position and day to day activities in this position? Also, if anyone has any ideas and advice to assist me in securing this job during the interview process I would love to hear it. Any advice on how to break into the university level nurse instructor field would also be useful! Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

University level will likely require a doctorate degree. Have you looked at the CNE (certified nurse educator). You may be able to secure a per diem clinical instructor for an ASN (possibly BSN depending on your state. In mine professors must be doctorate for BSN & higher, LPN can be taught by BSN, ASN can be taught by MSN or higher, clinical instructor MSN preferred with 3yr recent clinical practice)

The clinical instructor jobs are often only advertised on the school website. It's how my sister a doctoral candidate started her collegiate nursing education pathway.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

I work in an OB/Gyn office and the RNs do all the patient education. Typically its pregnancy education - diet, nutrition in pregnancy, warning signs, what to expect with labor, why breastfeeding is so important, etc.

If your goal is to be an instructor at the university level, you will likely need your PhD.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

The best way to get your feet wet in academia is to take a clinical instructor gig- ADN programs are fairly easy to get into. But Klone is correct- you're going to need a DNP or PhD to be considered for a full time job in academia. I'm just finishing up my DNP (eight more weeks!) and that's been my path.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

klone,

Are you an educator at the Ob/Gyn office? If not, do you all have an educator for the office? If so, what kind of responsibility do you/they have as the educator?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
klone,

Are you an educator at the Ob/Gyn office?

That's not my official title. Aren't all nurses educators, though? No, there is no official educator of patients, that's the role of the RN. We do have an educator for all of ambulatory care (a dozen clinics), but her role is as staff educator, not patient educator.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have an MSN with a concentration as a Perinatal Nurse Educator and post MSN CNS with a parent-child concentration. I work in the hospital and always have. Try the clinical instructor route to get your foot in the door to academia. That is great advice. Be prepared for a pay cut and the need to return for the DNP or PhD.

I would love to try working with a clinical group of students, but I cannot afford to drop back in my full-time position to accommodate this adventure right now! Good luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I have an MSN with a concentration as a Perinatal Nurse Educator and post MSN CNS with a parent-child concentration. I work in the hospital and always have. Try the clinical instructor route to get your foot in the door to academia. That is great advice. Be prepared for a pay cut and the need to return for the DNP or PhD.

I would love to try working with a clinical group of students, but I cannot afford to drop back in my full-time position to accommodate this adventure right now! Good luck to you.

imenid37,

What is your day to day life like in your current position as an educator at the hospital? I have only applied to educator positions at hospitals and clinics so far. I am just looking for better insight on this route of education.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in geriatrics.

They will ask you about the principles of adult learning theory, learning styles, and your knowledge of program/ lesson planning.

You will likely be asked about conflict management and team building.

Also, what are your research skills like? Can you multitask and locate pertinent policies within minutes?

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion