Nurses changing careers...

Trauma Columnist · Mar 22, 2006

Good morning. Do you want to teach something other than nursing? If so, another degree would be fine. However, if you want to teach nursing, almost always an MSN is required. Good luck.

mygirlarely · Mar 22, 2006

Thanks for your reply. My long term goal is to teach Nursing- My short term goal is to teach maybe an LPN course or Health education in public school system- I just want to get my feet in the door right now and work on my MSN as I go-

tencat · Mar 22, 2006

Howdy! I was a teacher, so I can give you some idea of how feasible it is to go to the public schools. In order to teach, you need to have several (5 or 6) classes about teaching and education. In some states you can waive these requirements for an amount of time (In New Mexico I think it's something like 2 years) during which time you have to be working on the classes to become certified. You have another option, which is to become a school nurse. School nurses are allowed to give seminars to the kids and teach special topics (diabetes, obesity, etc.). To be a school nurse requires no extra teaching classes because you wouldn't be certified to be a K-12 teacher. This might be a good place to start and work on an MSN at the same time.

michigooseBSN · Mar 22, 2006

This depends on the state in which you are a school nurse. In Massachusetts you DO have to be certified as an educator by the state Board of Education. You have to pass the Literacy and Comprehension test required of all teachers in the state.

Bumashes, MSN, APRN, NP · Mar 22, 2006

Hey, I went for four years into teaching school before I decided to switch to nursing, so I know a little something. I'm in Mississippi, though, so I don't know how your state's laws are. First, I'd need to know what level of school you were going to teach, and I'll assume you're going to teach nursing. High School, Jr College, University? For high school, you can get a temporary permit for two years, during which you must complete the teacher education courses required by the state. You may teach during this period. For jr college, I'm pretty certain you already have to have taken the teacher courses, but you can have just a bachelor's. For University, you must have taken the teacher courses and have a master's. Things will only get more complicated if you're not going to teach nursing. Then, you'll also have to take courses that focus on the area you want to teach. Hope this helped out a little.

mygirlarely · Mar 22, 2006

Thanks for the replies. MichigooseBSN, In my state a school nurse can act as a guest speaker, so to speak, in a classroom to teach such seminars workshops about obesity, diabeties, STD's -whatever. In order to actually 'teach" a class, they have to be certified as you stated. Actually, I have checked into School Nursing and there really isn't alot of oppurtunity in my county for School Nurses- and the waiting list for applicants is pretty long - alot of competition if you know what I mean.

I would be more apt to taking several Education core classes if it could lead to being able to get a teaching certificate- I guess what I am trying to do is get another degree or certification w/o having to go to college for 4 more years- ugh!!!!

mygirlarely · Mar 22, 2006

BUMASHES- Wanted to teach Nursing on a Jr College level or high school health- Are you saying that I just have to take a few Teaching courses to get certified? Who would I call to find out my state's requirement- the RN Board or the State Board of Education?

I actually have a call into the Education Dept of the University, from where I graduated to ask these same questions- Thought I could get more insight on this board from those actually working in the field and who have had some of the same experiences...Thanks for the input.