I want to teach nursing

MollyJ · Nov 13, 1999

HI Patsi, Go for the CNS, either in medsurg OR in your favorite clinical concentration and take education electives. Your clinicals will assist you to seek focussed experiences that will help you the most. I really cannot imagine a MSN/MN program that wouldn't have instructor prep as part of their mission and I would most likely talk to the people running the "CNS" arm of the department.

eyelady2 · Nov 19, 1999

Saint Joseph's College has a MS in nursing education program through distance education. Contact www.sjcme.edu website or email [email protected]

Georgetta · Nov 20, 1999

To patisb: DO YOU REALLY WANT TO TEACH? Try teaching CPR classes. Do some geriatric work and teach a CNA class before you get a MS in education only to find that you really hate it. If you have enough experience you could try your hand at LPN instruction. It is a hard job, low pay and little thanks except from your students. They make it worthwhile. I feel like I'm contributing to society by helping people to become nurses, hopefully caring competent ones, and really enjoy my job. You may want to explore potential salaries and benefits also. Nursing instructors make less than their graduate students for the most part. If this is really what you want to do, then go for it!!

Good Luck.

Georgia · Nov 22, 1999

I would like to teach nursing also, and am working on my MSN through the University of Phoenix. They offer an on-line distance program that benefits your family life and removes the classroom travel hassel. Good luck in your journey.

Blue · Feb 3, 2000

Thank God someone wants to be a nurse educator. In the U.S., faculty are retiring at a faster than new faculty are being prepared. We are nearing a crisis in nursing education regarding educated and experienced faculty. Not only that, more and more web-based education sites are coming on and I think this has greater potential in doing harm to the profession rather than as a help to alleviate the nursing shortage. If you read the student nurses "posts", they complain about lack of hands on learning in school -- so let's solve that problem by putting them in front of a computer. Yeah, real hands on!!! About 99% of the time being an educator is great. My students are my joy. But there are bad days and poor students who can make your life miserable and make you question why you even became a nurse! After all, you were just trying to help people, right??? The pay is lousy, too, I agree. You cannot even imagine how many hours it takes to teach. I estimate each 70 minutes lecture I give (for the first time) takes about 6 hours to produce. It was alot of "midnight oil burning" that first year or so of teaching. Then, formulating good test questions takes about 60 minutes each! And you have to have a 75 point test by when??? Yikes! My advice is to get educated as a CNS, find a good supportive mentor, and go to church every week.

maikranz · Mar 6, 2000

Good for you, patisb.

Blue is correct, although CNS doesn't give the education aspect. It does, however, provide you with a paycheck that enables you to buy food!

Seriously, there is a dearth of nurse educators, so go for it.

An MEd is ok, but generally nursing faculty should have a MSN. It depends on the accrediting body of the college/university you will ultimately work for. E.g., NLN requires a MSN. Find a good advisor or ask a trusted faculty person from your BSN program. Several suggestions that have been posted are good ideas as well.

Good luck!