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You might also consider teaching in a practical nurse program or a medical assistant or CNA program. This would enable you to feel confident about your subject material. Doing a clinical instructor position is also a good way to start. This will allow you to teach without the classroom/public speaking component. You are teaching in a clinical environment where you are already comfortable and you usually would have 10 students or less depending on state board requirements for teacher to student ratios. Good luck!
2 years ago I started in Toastmasters to improve my speaking skills and to see if I truly could go back to school and teach in front of a classroom-sweaty palms, shakey legs-you get the picture. I am now a CC(competent communicator) It is nothing like a college speech class and is for adults in a non-threatening environment. I will be starting my MSN with focus in Education online at Walden University this fall.
I am also pursuing my BSN (4 classes away!) in hopes to transition into nursing education. I have precepted and had nurse fellows with me during work so I know I enjoy teaching (or sometimes being taught!) However, I am a little nervous about teaching a clinical. I have only worked at my hospital over the last six years. I did do a couple of agency stints at other area hospitals which I felt were a nightmare. As an instructor do you get to go see the unit you are instructing at before hand and find out what the students are allowed and not allowed to do? I know at certain facilities I was assigned with a nurse and basically precepted her during my clinical and other times we took the patient and our instructor was our go to person but we did everything. I am really interested in working at an education department within a hospital setting as well. At my hospital those positions never become available. Any advice on how to break into these areas?
Mary Ann
lecavalier4
82 Posts
I am a critical care nurse who is thinking of going into nurse education. I am in school right now to get my BSN (I currently only have a diploma). I love teaching and learning but I am anxious when public speaking. Is this normal when you first start out in education and it goes away over time, or should I just stick to what I am doing now? I really need some advice on this.