Nurse Educators, Introduce Yourselves!

Specialties Educators

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VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN

49 Articles; 5,349 Posts

Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.
Vicky, I read your comments about loving education. I will be starting a full-time position in August at a 3 university consortium nursing school. We (the university) and I negotiated my salary. I am curious to know how I can impact and make my voice heard about the salaries of nurse educators? Many nurses in practice (including myself) have no idea what nurse educators make. I realize that I have great potential where I will be working, but I would also like to influence change for nurses that would like to go into education.

thanks,

lisa

One possible way to effect change is to lobby the state legislators who fund the university and community college systems. Another powerful venue is the media - With the spotlight on the nursing shortage, the issue of nursing faculty shortages and the pay inequities must be brought before the public eye. Prospective nursing students are becoming very frustrated with long waiting lists. It often takes several years for a student to be admitted into a nursing program. The true reason for this - the nursing faculty shortage and concomitant low salaries must be told. Letters to the editor, interviews in the local press or television are very useful ways to utilize media attention.

ljh78

3 Posts

I am currently getting my Master's (March 2006) and taught last year and am teaching this year as an adjunct for clinicals on a telemetry unit.

I may also be teaching a computer class in the spring, not yet sure on that one.

I really enjoy teaching and am looking forward to the new year.

ljh78

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN

49 Articles; 5,349 Posts

Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.
I am currently getting my Master's (March 2006) and taught last year and am teaching this year as an adjunct for clinicals on a telemetry unit.

I may also be teaching a computer class in the spring, not yet sure on that one.

I really enjoy teaching and am looking forward to the new year.

ljh78

Welcome to our forum :) :Melody: :balloons:

dlb

5 Posts

Being an OB/peds instructor, I do feel experience is invaluable. Doesn't have to be extensive, but the students know if you know what you're talking about. I think it also gives energy to a classroom if you have felt the OB energy yourself. Having said that, I have taught areas that I haven't actually practiced in, so everything is possible.

I am in an MSN/Education program, and will finish in 2 yrs. I am originally an ADN grad, then BSN. Most of my experience is in peds, with an emphasis on Oncology, and chronic/special needs kids. I have done some general peds and PICU. I have med/surg experience From 5yrs ago. I also just began per-diem supervising at the chronic kids facility. I am very excited about becoming an educator.

Now that I've given you guys my story, here's my question: since I have no OB experience, will this be an issue? I understand many programs lump peds and OB together. I really don't know anything (except for my very uneventful labor and delivery of my own child) about OB. It's not that I don't want to learn it, but it's not easy to transition again to a new specalty. Any advice? Will I still be able to teach without that experience?

willie1

2 Posts

Can anyone recommend online education certificate program(I already have a masters in nursing), for health educator, emphasis on nutrition? Thanks

Reassigned

3 Posts

Thanks for the warm welcome. I am a MSN educator at a four-year liberal arts institution. I am presently on reassignment to get my PhD in Hihger Education Leadership (online- Capella University). Just another indication of the shortage of nurse educators with doctorate degrees. I have education and experience with working with all levels of nursing (NA, LPN, ADN, BSN, and MSN). My expertise is med-surg, float/pool nursing, cardiac-step down. As an educator my prevoius role, before my reassignment, was coordinator of junior nursing courses. I hope to converse with many in the months to come. I am usually online working on my course assignments. I am excited about this new journey in my life.

Reassigned :rotfl:

showbizrn

432 Posts

Specializes in Behavioral Health, Show Biz.

hello and welcome to all!

i started my teaching career on a free-lance basis (as an entreprenuer) whereby i taught rns how to pursue the entertainment industry and on-camera acting training (with a focus on educational videos, public service announcements and commercials that reflect nursing and health-related issues). i later worked on a per-diem basis in a long-term care facility and mainly taught experiential, role-playing courses to the cnas in elder abuse, staff-resident interactions and customer service. i later worked part-time as a nurse educator for a large 5-hospital complex and my specialties were psychiatric and addictions nursing; presently i work on a per-diem basis at the same place. i love teaching and will continue to grow in my role as a nurse educator.

i look forward to reading the posts on this site and sharing my knowledge and information with my colleagues.

:nurse: [color=navy]"registered nursing. the best profession healthcare dollars can buy." (my quote)

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN

49 Articles; 5,349 Posts

Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.
hello and welcome to all!

i started my teaching career on a free-lance basis (as an entreprenuer) whereby i taught rns how to pursue the entertainment industry and on-camera acting training (with a focus on educational videos, public service announcements and commercials that reflect nursing and health-related issues). i later worked on a per-diem basis in a long-term care facility and mainly taught experiential, role-playing courses to the cnas in elder abuse, staff-resident interactions and customer service. i later worked part-time as a nurse educator for a large 5-hospital complex and my specialties were psychiatric and addictions nursing; presently i work on a per-diem basis at the same place. i love teaching and will continue to grow in my role as a nurse educator.

i look forward to reading the posts on this site and sharing my knowledge and information with my colleagues.

:nurse: [color=navy]"registered nursing. the best profession healthcare dollars can buy." (my quote)

welcome to the forum :balloons: we look forward to hearing more from you as you share out of your fascinating and vast experience :)

jsteine1

325 Posts

hello and welcome to all!

i started my teaching career on a free-lance basis (as an entreprenuer) whereby i taught rns how to pursue the entertainment industry and on-camera acting training (with a focus on educational videos, public service announcements and commercials that reflect nursing and health-related issues). i later worked on a per-diem basis in a long-term care facility and mainly taught experiential, role-playing courses to the cnas in elder abuse, staff-resident interactions and customer service. i later worked part-time as a nurse educator for a large 5-hospital complex and my specialties were psychiatric and addictions nursing; presently i work on a per-diem basis at the same place. i love teaching and will continue to grow in my role as a nurse educator.

i look forward to reading the posts on this site and sharing my knowledge and information with my colleagues.

:nurse: [color=navy]"registered nursing. the best profession healthcare dollars can buy." (my quote)

showbizrn- would love to hear a lot more about your experiences preparing rns for acting roles. fascinating stuff!

jsteine1

325 Posts

Recently, while caring for a family member with a new colostomy and a terminal DX, The surgeon called the patients hospice nurse and said he wanted the "T-Bar" removed. I hope that is the correct name for the device that supports the new colostomy and keeps it positioned. I am not clinically current, the hospice staff working with the patient know this etc. The hospice nurse called me, asked me to meet at the home to assist her. When I arrived, she handed me the suture removal kit and said" I dont know how to do this and although Im an RN, Ive actually never seen a colostomy before. "

I asked if anyone else in her org or her supervisor might be better suited to do this, she said no one even knows how to change a colostomy bag. So I did it and then taught her how to change the bag.

The question is: Is it a tremendous challenge these days to find clinical sites to offer students the widest possible variety of nursing situations? It occured to me that I was lucky coming up: I trained and worked at a large county hospital and there was very very little we didnt see and work with at least once.

Terri W

10 Posts

Specializes in Educator, Pediatrics, ICU/CCU, Med-Surg.

I asked if anyone else in her org or her supervisor might be better suited to do this, she said no one even knows how to change a colostomy bag. So I did it and then taught her how to change the bag.

The question is: Is it a tremendous challenge these days to find clinical sites to offer students the widest possible variety of nursing situations? It occured to me that I was lucky coming up: I trained and worked at a large county hospital and there was very very little we didnt see and work with at least once.

As a nurse educator who has taught in ADN programs in two states over the last 15 years, I would have to say that it is certainly a challenge to provide students a full variety of patient experiences. I have supervised students in small rural community hospitals (30 Med/Surg beds), moderate-sized community hospitals (around 100 Med/Surg beds) and a larger urban hospital (over 200 Med/Surg beds). Each of these environments provide a different opportunity for observing and practicing various skills and treatments. Much of it depends on assignments the student receives, the staff they work with, and their own ability to seek out learning opportunities.

In relation to colostomy care, unless a student is assertive in looking for these experiences, or their instructor is proactive in making sure they are offered, this is very "hit and miss". Part of the reason is that many facilities today have ostomy nurses who do the majority of colostomy care. In addition, since these patients are in the hospital for much shorter stays, changing the bag is generally done by the ostomy nurse as part of patient and family teaching for discharge.

With this said, there is no excuse for a home health agency staffnot maintaining a proficient understanding colostomy care. In the program where I currently teach, we have an ostomy nurse come and demonstrate all aspects of colostomy care (on campus). In addition, the students are provided demo stomas to practice changing and emptying the bags. While this does not make them proficient without "practice" on a real person, they certainly know the procedures. Perhaps the home health supervisor could provide such an inservice for his/her staff. A better understanding of colostomy care would provide these nurses more comfort in caring for these patients and reduce the potential for complications that would lead to rehospitalization.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN

49 Articles; 5,349 Posts

Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.
I asked if anyone else in her org or her supervisor might be better suited to do this, she said no one even knows how to change a colostomy bag. So I did it and then taught her how to change the bag.

The question is: Is it a tremendous challenge these days to find clinical sites to offer students the widest possible variety of nursing situations? It occured to me that I was lucky coming up: I trained and worked at a large county hospital and there was very very little we didnt see and work with at least once.

As a nurse educator who has taught in ADN programs in two states over the last 15 years, I would have to say that it is certainly a challenge to provide students a full variety of patient experiences. I have supervised students in small rural community hospitals (30 Med/Surg beds), moderate-sized community hospitals (around 100 Med/Surg beds) and a larger urban hospital (over 200 Med/Surg beds). Each of these environments provide a different opportunity for observing and practicing various skills and treatments. Much of it depends on assignments the student receives, the staff they work with, and their own ability to seek out learning opportunities.

In relation to colostomy care, unless a student is assertive in looking for these experiences, or their instructor is proactive in making sure they are offered, this is very "hit and miss". Part of the reason is that many facilities today have ostomy nurses who do the majority of colostomy care. In addition, since these patients are in the hospital for much shorter stays, changing the bag is generally done by the ostomy nurse as part of patient and family teaching for discharge.

With this said, there is no excuse for a home health agency staffnot maintaining a proficient understanding colostomy care. In the program where I currently teach, we have an ostomy nurse come and demonstrate all aspects of colostomy care (on campus). In addition, the students are provided demo stomas to practice changing and emptying the bags. While this does not make them proficient without "practice" on a real person, they certainly know the procedures. Perhaps the home health supervisor could provide such an inservice for his/her staff. A better understanding of colostomy care would provide these nurses more comfort in caring for these patients and reduce the potential for complications that would lead to rehospitalization.

Excellent response.

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