Welcome to the Nurse Educator Forum. It is my desire that you find this a warm, inviting place and will come here often for friendly, collegial discussions.
Let me introduce myself: I have been an ADN nurse educator in a small community college in North Carolina for the past two years. My areas of specialty are medical-surgical, OBGYN and immediate newborn, and cardiac nursing. In addition to teaching, I conduct clinicals on general medical-surgical, PEDS, postpartum, and cardiac step-down units. Along with being a full time nursing instructor, I am working on my Masters in Nursing Education. I am enrolled in a fully online curricula and have been very satisfied with this so far.
I have learned much these past two years but, I have so much more to learn! I look forward to hearing from you.
I can relate to alot of what has already been said. I currently teach in an ADN program that has a BSN completion program also. I teach Fundamentals. Worked my way up the education ladder- LPN, ADN, BSN, and now MSN (1998). Seriously considering DSN if I can find a program that will allow me to continue working where I am AND go to school. My orientation to teaching started innocently. Years ago was asked to fill in for an instructor whose husband was sent overseas suddenly in early Spring (private sector job)- she had to go. The following Fall I was asked if I was interested in continuing teaching (My background until then was Cardiac and Critical Care). I was given the choice of teaching OB or PEDS (BOY talk about a hum dinger of a choice). I had NO experience in either (you have to understand that where I worked it was not areas that a Male was to work). I selected Peds and actually grew to love it. I did ALL of my graduate work in the pediatric and education areas (mainly diabetes and cystic fibrosis). Have taught for about 11 years now (mostly in ADN, but also some in BSN). Presently I am teaching at the school that I earned my ADN (plan to attain tenure- 2 1/2 years- and retire from there MUCH later).
I can offer a couple of words of advice, get to know the staff and the routine of the unit you wil be teaching in. It helps the students get an "in" if the staff knows and respects the instructor. Knowing the routine, paperwork etc....helps the students avois having to ask so many questions of the staff members. If you can, work a couple of shifts to get a feel of the place (even if it's volunteer time). Skills lab is a lot of prep and set-up, tear down. The students are looking for positive feedback and constructive suggestions, let them do it, as long as they aren't hurting anyone. And remember to have fun, attitude rubs off on the students! Be approachable and friendly. Hope it helps, good luck!
Thanks Jan,
Am nervous however excited for ths change. I attend orientation for the students next week. I will take your advice and expect the best.
Am nervous however excited for ths change. I attend orientation for the students next week. I will take your advice and expect the best.
Kokomo
You are welcome....I adore watching the students cry at deliveries, pick up a baby for the first time and call me after many years and thank me, it's very rewarding to help shape the future nurses.
I just found this board. I've been teaching clinical pediatrics in a BSN program for 4 years. Recently, I have been appointed a full-time clinical position. I look forward to the sharing on this board!
I just found this board. I've been teaching clinical pediatrics in a BSN program for 4 years. Recently, I have been appointed a full-time clinical position. I look forward to the sharing on this board!
Hi Lalorac,
Welcome to the nursing forum. I also found it by mistake and am so glad that I did. I have received alot of feedback and support regarding my shift in nursing careers. Can you tell me alittle about yourself and how you became an instructor if you don't mind?
You are welcome....I adore watching the students cry at deliveries, pick up a baby for the first time and call me after many years and thank me, it's very rewarding to help shape the future nurses.
...Jan
Hi Jan,
I recently spoke with an old friend who is a methodist minister (retired now). He received his phD in philosphy later in life. I spoke with him today long distance and he was so proud that I had chosen to become an instructor. He knew me before I went back to school to pursue my career in nursing. I have 5 children so this was quite a feat at the time (also a non supportive, now ex-husband).
Anyway....the support makes me feel more confident in my new life role.
Welcome to the nursing forum. I also found it by mistake and am so glad that I did. I have received alot of feedback and support regarding my shift in nursing careers. Can you tell me alittle about yourself and how you became an instructor if you don't mind?
Wishing you well,
Kokomo
Teaching was always an interest of mine. However, when it came to making career choices, nursing seemed to be more flexible. (Which I have not regreted). I've worked in Pediatrics (floor nursing, pedi rehab, nurse manager, Emergency Room, Clinic and Urgent Care settings) since I got out of my BSN program, many, many years ago.
Several years ago, a co-worker and I convinced each other to go back and get our masters. Soon after graduation, my co-worker received a desparate call from a faculty member at the university, needing to find a clinical instructor for pediatrics. The faculty member was my co-worker's advisor and did not know of any other graduating students who specialized in pediatrics. (We were the only 2 in our class). My co-worker hates the stress of teaching and refused the offer, but told her that she knew someone who could do it. She put the faculty member on hold and ran down the hall to get me. She warned me that she would not speak to me again if I did not take this job offer! :)
So, I couldn't have one of my dearest friends not speaking to me, could I? Seriously, it was a position I only dreamed about and it hadn't occured to me to actually seek out opportunities. So, I took the job.
My first semester was terrible. The students were disrespectful, and, not completely their fault, not prepared to handle pediatrics. I almost left and gave up on teaching. However, the course coordinator (who started with the university when I did) convinced me to stay. We had some input to the curriculuum and made some significant changes in coordination with the other faculty. Now, the students are more prepared and teaching is a joy.
Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.
Just want to pop in a say a big "hello" and "welcome!!!" to Jan, Nuprofessor, diannenurse, lisajy, Kailuaa, JustaMaleRN, Kokomo, and lalorac :balloons:
To say I've been very busy these past two weeks is an understatement :rotfl: . Now that the first week of fall semester is behind me, I hope to have a little more time to devote to the BB. It's great to have you all here and I look forward to getting to know everyone better :)
Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.
My first semester was terrible. The students were disrespectful, and, not completely their fault, not prepared to handle pediatrics. I almost left and gave up on teaching. However, the course coordinator (who started with the university when I did) convinced me to stay. We had some input to the curriculuum and made some significant changes in coordination with the other faculty. Now, the students are more prepared and teaching is a joy.
Carol
Glad you stuck it out, Carol. I had a similar experience--an absolutely DREADFUL first 18 months. :uhoh21: Everything that could possibly go wrong, did. It took every ounce of stamina and perseverence I had, but I was determined that this was going to work!
Now, things couldn't be better at the college--the whole situation has taken a dramatic 180 degree turn. I look forward to going to work with great anticipation. There is now great unity among the faculty, and the atmosphere is very supportive and professional. We encourage one another and celebrate each other's strengths and diversity. Together, we make an AWESOME faculty team. The students are respectful, appreciative, and mostly a joy to teach. My NEW clinical sites are great. Perseverence pays off :chuckle
Welcome to the Nurse Educator Forum. It is my desire that you find this a warm, inviting place and will come here often for friendly, collegial discussions.
Let me introduce myself: I have been an ADN nurse educator in a small community college in North Carolina for the past two years. My areas of specialty are medical-surgical, OBGYN and immediate newborn, and cardiac nursing. In addition to teaching, I conduct clinicals on general medical-surgical, PEDS, postpartum, and cardiac stepdown units. Along with being a full time nursing instructor, I am working on my Masters in Nursing Education. I am enrolled in a fully online curricula and have been very satisfied with this so far.
I have learned much these past two years but, I have so much more to learn! I look forward to hearing from you.
Hi Vicky, my name is Krystal and I am currently a nursing student. When I receive my associates degreee in nursing, I was thinking about going to a nursing school to get my BSN. I want to know what courses are required in order to get into a BSN program. If you happen to know, please reply.
Hi there, I'm not Vicki, but I can also respond to this question. Unfortunately, there is no pat answer. It all depends on where you plan to go to get your BSN, as each school has its own set of prerequesite courses. Contact the recruiter at the school (or schools) that you are thinking about and they can assist you with information specific to their school. Best of luck to you as you persue your nursing career.
I will complete my Masters in Nursing Education this coming December. For 5 years my specialty area was E.R. nursing, but I have also worked in Med-Surg, in a Family Practice clinic, and most recently as a charge nurse in a drug and alcohol recovery program. I taught clinical part-time for several semesters in an LVN program and really enjoyed the interaction and experience of teaching students.
At this point in time, I really am uncertain as to whether or not I want to pursue full-time teaching due to the low paying salaries for faculty members. I enjoy teaching, but I'm not sure that I can afford to take the significant cut in pay because of my financial obligations. I would like to know if any of the nurse educators in California are finding positions that offer salaries comparable to what many nurses with master's degress are making in other areas.
It took every ounce of stamina and perseverence I had, but I was determined that this was going to work!
nuprofessor
4 Posts
I can relate to alot of what has already been said. I currently teach in an ADN program that has a BSN completion program also. I teach Fundamentals. Worked my way up the education ladder- LPN, ADN, BSN, and now MSN (1998). Seriously considering DSN if I can find a program that will allow me to continue working where I am AND go to school. My orientation to teaching started innocently. Years ago was asked to fill in for an instructor whose husband was sent overseas suddenly in early Spring (private sector job)- she had to go. The following Fall I was asked if I was interested in continuing teaching (My background until then was Cardiac and Critical Care). I was given the choice of teaching OB or PEDS (BOY talk about a hum dinger of a choice). I had NO experience in either (you have to understand that where I worked it was not areas that a Male was to work). I selected Peds and actually grew to love it. I did ALL of my graduate work in the pediatric and education areas (mainly diabetes and cystic fibrosis). Have taught for about 11 years now (mostly in ADN, but also some in BSN). Presently I am teaching at the school that I earned my ADN (plan to attain tenure- 2 1/2 years- and retire from there MUCH later).
Well thats me in a nutshell !!!