Educator credentials--nontraditional

zumalong · Feb 7, 2002

Mattsmom81 I work in a nursing school where they require your bachelors degree (in any field) and prefer your masters. One of the instructors I work with has her master in anthropology. (like that is going to help nursing students)

Anyway--I have found that we you teach nursing it is all on the job training. I have learned so many ways of effective teaching but all of it has been hit or miss kind of learning. I am currently thinking of taking my master in nursing education--but it is not offered in my area right now.

I would check with area nursing programs to see what they require--also contact agencies to see if there is staff education nurses needed. I got my foot in the door by teaching nursing assistants through a LTC facility.

Good luck.

mattsmom81 · Feb 7, 2002

Thank you for replying. It's good to know someone has been successful in teaching without the BSN-MSN but you are right, I will have to check local schools for the rerquirements. Thanks..and by the way, where is the Finger Lakes area?

Best wishes Zumalong!

Mariah · Feb 8, 2002

Be very careful about getting a degree outside of nursing. Although a degree in any area may practically be sufficient, it can have sufficient impact on your career advancement. NLN accrediation checks that the teachers have the appropriate education, preferably in nursing. It may even require nursing degrees, but that I am not sure of. Universities that teach at a BS level or higher will not accept anything less than a nursing degree. Most AS degree programs are just as strict. You cannot get a MS in nursing based upon a BS in something else unless you are willing to go through hoops. This is either taking all the BS nursing courses you should have taken as part of a BS nursing program or you need to go to a MSN program which takes in non-nurses. I have taught with nurses that have BSN in a non-nursing field in a diploma program. They have felt frustrated because they couldn't teach at the local colleges and they couldn't get a MSN to allow them to advance their careers.

mattsmom81 · Feb 8, 2002

Thanks for responding, Mariah. I may look into teaching LVN programs, as I don't have the resources to return to school 5 plus years FT to get a BSN MSN. As an old diploma nurse, most of my credits will not transfer, unfortunately. Always thought I'd retire from ICU, but a car accident has left me unable to work at the bedside, so I'm looking at options. Thanks again!

zumalong · Feb 10, 2002

The finger lakes area is in Western New York--I am about 35 miles south of Rochester and 60 miles east of Buffalo. I know that when I am done in school in March (I will have my BSN) I can only do clinical at the associate RN level. They require a masters to teach.

Even though I have learned most of my teaching methods on the job doing my own research. I also know that many of the colleges here in western NY are requiring a doctorate to teach at the bachelors level. I enjoy school but not that much.

I still maintain if you are interested in teaching look to agencies and nursing facilities to do home health aides or staff development to get you foot in the door. Another option might be medical assistant programs.

The best part about teaching is the hours. It is wonderful if you have been working any length of time in acute care. No holidays, no forced overtime. I can keep my skills up and enjoy my 3 and 6 year old boys.

Good Luck :)

mattsmom81 · Feb 12, 2002

Thank you for your replies and best wishes! Enjoy your boys,

Zumalong, they do grow up so fast (mine are 18 and 20 now)

janeo · Feb 22, 2002

I am a nurse educator in a small rural hospital with my BSN degree. I am working on my MSN with an emphasis in nursing education. It is not required for my job but it is helping me do my job better. The previous educator had an AD in nursing and BA in English. She obtained a Master's in a computer program. I enjoyed teaching clinical nursing to AD students for 5 years then in a hospital setting with graduate nurses before this job came up. I love teaching especially the newer nurses who are very enthusiastic!

Good luck!

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Feb 22, 2002

Mattsmom:

Your state Board of Nursing will list the education requirements for nurse educators in schools of nursing for your state.

Here is PA's:

http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/049/chapter21/chap21toc.html#21.71.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND INSTRUCTIONAL PERSONNEL

21.71. Faculty and staff requirements for baccalaureate and associate degree programs.

(a) The minimum faculty and staff requirements for each program are as follows:

(1) Full-time director of the program.

(2) Full-time qualified faculty members in the areas of specialized practice encompassed within the curriculum.

(3) Additional faculty members as needed to insure an educationally effective student-faculty ratio.

(4) A minimum of one full-time secretary and additional secretarial assistance as needed.

(b) Faculty qualifications are as follows:

(1) The director of a baccalaureate degree program, employed for the first time after January 1, 1986, shall hold a master's degree in nursing and an earned doctoral degree or a specific plan for completing doctoral preparation. The director shall have experience in the areas of nursing practice, nursing education within an institution of higher education and educational administration. Candidates who have made outstanding contributions to nursing education shall be considered on an individual basis.

(2) The director of an associate degree program shall hold the minimum of a master's degree in nursing. The director shall have experience in the areas of nursing practice, nursing education and educational administration.

(3) The length of appointment of temporary and acting heads of nursing education programs may not exceed 1 year.

(4) Nurse faculty members shall be currently licensed as nurses in this Commonwealth.

(5) Faculty members shall have master's degrees in nursing, with graduate preparation relevant to their clinical areas of responsibility; and they shall give evidence of maintaining expertise in their clinical or functional areas of specialization.

(6) Faculty members with less than a master's degree in nursing may be employed if qualified candidates are not available; they shall function for a maximum of 5 years as assistants under the direct guidance of a faculty member fully qualified in the specific teaching area. These assistants shall have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in nursing, and they shall give evidence of actively pursuing a master's degree in nursing. The lack of availability of qualified faculty shall be documented by, among other things, copies of advertisements placed in appropriate professional journals and newspapers, copies of recruitment letters to appropriate institutions of higher learning, and records of job interviews.

(7) Faculty employed to teach nutrition must be registered dietitians (R.D.) and eligible for membership in the American Dietetic Association.

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21.192. Faculty qualifications for LPN programs.

(a) The qualifications of the nurse director or nurse coordinator shall be as follows:

(1) Graduation from an approved school of professional nursing.

(2) Current registration as a professional nurse in this Commonwealth.

(3) A baccalaureate degree, preferably in nursing, with experience in the areas of nursing, nursing education and educational administration. The nurse director or coordinator shall give evidence of ability to provide leadership and shall have a specific plan for completing work towards a master's degree with evidence of consistent effort toward completion of the plan.

(b) The qualifications of the instructors shall be as follows:

(1) Graduation from an approved school of professional nursing.

(2) Current registration as a professional nurse in this Commonwealth.

(3) A baccalaureate degree, preferably in nursing, with additional preparation for teaching appropriate to the teaching of practical nursing.

(4) Experience and skill in the practice of nursing.

(5) Nursing experience involving direct patient care or teaching experience within 2 years of employment. Faculty and instructors shall give evidence of maintaining expertness in clinical and functional areas of responsibility.

© The employment of less qualified instructors. Faculty or instructors with less academic preparation may be employed if qualified personnel is not available provided that less qualified faculty and instructors shall function under the direct guidance of a fully qualified faculty member and shall give evidence of continuing their academic preparation.

Good Luck.

mattsmom81 · Feb 22, 2002

:) Thank you all so much for your input, it is appreciated!! Food for thought as it were!

schrandt · Jul 25, 2002

Mattsmom81-I concur with the posts so far. You might want to do a web search of online universities. Nice way to "go to class"--I have done so in my pj's!! I live in God's country 4 hours from the university I attend. Nearly all my work will be done from home, and I choose my own preceptor.

I understand fully your hesitation in math. I finished coursework for my BSN in 97. It has taken me thios long to get up the courage to finish stats. JUST DID IT WITH AN A!!!!!!!!!!!!! It has been over 30 years since I had high school algebra, so if I can do it--so can you. The sad thing is, my 16 year old daughter had much of the same material 2 & 3 years ago in her accelerated math classes. She surely didn't get those number genes from me!!

32yr_rn · Sep 11, 2002

I have just taken a position as PN Instructor at a technical college. I have my BSN but the position is open to AD or I suppose any level RN but the pay is less. Try the tech college or school. They are very big in Georgia now due to the Ga Lottery money. I am not familiar with TX schools. Good luck!! I AM TIRED OF 12 HR SHIFTS AND WEEKENDS!!!