RN0599

Thank you so much for your kind words! I had let my boss know that I was sick; taking the rest of the week off. Guess what? They managed it without me! Today I went in to discuss my future with the College. I told them that I could no longer be responsible for 3 lectures and and 2 skills labs as well as anything else they needed me for. I will teach my 3 lectures on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and that is it. They accepted my terms and I feel good about it. Thank you!

Hello, The new term just started this week. You would think I could not possibly be burned out so soon, but I am. Last term was extremely challenging due to a new learning platform being rolled out to the newest cohort. Since I teach Fundamentals, that meant I was the only instructor having to learn (and teach) this new product. It came with many glitches that affected student exams and other assignments. It was very overwhelming. Add to this the fact that the college can't keep a stable faculty. We are forever starting new instructors (and new DONs) and then losing them because they don't receive a proper orientation. This task often falls to the "seasoned" staff who have all their work to do. I have less than 3 years at this school, and I am a "seasoned" staff. I never refuse to help anyone but then I get behind in my prep work, grading, etc. I had to assume responsibility for grading half a term's worth of skills lab assignments because the lead skills lab instructor left due to a family emergency. So this is how I and one other (new) instructor spent our break between the terms. I should have said "no", and perhaps that is the crux of the problem. When you have no other staff to do these things, it is hard not to try to help out. So here I am, responsible for teaching 3 sections of Fundamentals (5 hr classes), followed by 2 sections of Skills Labs (4 hrs each), all in 2 days. I get no real breaks in between. Students and instructors are asking me questions. Many lack access to the learning platform or classroom management platform, so I have to seek out resolutions for these issues. Registration continues to send over new students who also need help getting access to their courses and resources. So, yesterday was only the 2nd day of the semester...my long day. I'm there from 8 am to 11 pm. I left at 9 pm the night before. I have already learned that one of the Skills Lab instructors is going to be out sick, the "seasoned" one. Another instructor came into my office and complained about having to now teach 3 clinical sections and teach 2 sections of Med/Surg lecture. Just so you know, it's not just me. After she walked out, I started having a panic attack. One of many I have been having these last 4 weeks. They include chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations. I am currently on a Holter heart monitor for 7 days. The job is making me sick now. All of this backstory leads up to what happened next. And I still am not sure what my next step will be...I clocked out, cleaned my desk, and left as soon as possible, hoping I would not run into the Dean on my way out! I texted the Dean and told her I was having chest pains, etc., and was going to the ER. However, I didn't go to the ER because I knew they would not find anything like the last 2 times I've gone under similar circumstances. This only happens at work. My cardiologist says the issue is my job and I need to consider changing it. So I left. I haven't given notice. I haven't spoken to the Dean. I don't even want to go back to that school! I start having palpitations just thinking about it. Of course, they'll have to scramble to replace me. Someone (the Dean, maybe?) must teach my classes. Shouldn't I care about everyone else having to carry the heavier load? No, I think I am done. I think I need to start thinking about me and my family. My husband had a TIA 2 months ago. My elderly mother who lives alone is starting to forget things. I am going to start receiving Social Security benefits next month. Can I just quit and call it a messy end to an otherwise good career?

Oh my dear I know exactly what you mean! I've not been to church in so long because of the way the church people have been behaving! I won't go into details but know you are not alone!

This is a teaching assignment, not observational. This is what has me concerned. I have no experience nor interest in teaching pediatric nursing, period!

I am being given a new assignment at my nursing school. I'm to take a group of students to a pediatric day care center disabled children that provides nursing care. First of all, I have no pediatric nursing experience in my 20 years of nursing. Furthermore, I have no children and have never had any interest whatsoever in pediatrics, or labor & delivery, for that matter. I do not want this assignment. Adults, geriatrics, med/surg, and psychiatric/addictions are my areas. I hate to have to look for another job, but I may have to if I can't get out of it. I'd rather leave between terms than disrupt the students once the term begins. Any thoughts?

I graduated in June with my MSN in Nursing Education. I completed my last preceptorship at the nursing school where I was hired. I teach the Fundamentals Skills Lab class and 2 days a week, I take a clinical group of 8 students to a Rehab facility that also has long-term care. I was assisting with the lecture of the Fundamentals course during my preceptorship. I am happy doing the skills lab and clinicals. Just that is a lot! Good luck starting your new career! And don't forget to have fun!

Hi! Thanks for your response! To better clarify for you, MentalKlarity (love the username!), I have a MS in Rehabilitation Counseling and worked in community mental health for 15 years before going to nursing school in my 40's. I worked almost exclusively in psych nursing as well as addictions with the exception of 5 years early on in my career where I worked in cardiac telemetry and ICU. I also always wanted to teach. I probably did things a little backwards by getting my MSN in nursing education and then considering the post-master's certificate in PMHNP, but oh, well. And I always worked fulltime throughout nursing school. I guess I'm OK with that because I don't have children. I work and study. Online school is wonderful! But there are also the clinical hours that must be satisfied. As a PMHNP you know what I'm talking about! I've been working for 6 months as a nursing instructor teaching nursing fundamentals and love it, but I do miss psych! I believe my extensive psych background will serve me well as I pursue my post-master's certificate in my "spare time"!

Hi all! I just graduated with my MSN in nursing education, not NP. I am considering the online post-master's certificate in PMHNP at Herzing. I'm currently working fulltime as a nursing instructor. How are you all doing so far? Thanks for the feedback. I may start after the Holidays. Are you able to continue working fulltime?

Awesome suggestion! Thank you for the tip!!

Yes! Thank you for the advice! We finished our 1st week, so now I have a better idea of what we are going to focus on. The students had an eye opening 1st week! Hard work but rewarding!

I do not regret getting my MSN-ED. My plan is to combine it with a post-Master's certificate in Psych-MH NP. You could get your MSN-ED and then get a post-Master's in FNP. I learned a lot about curriculum development, learning and teaching with the MSN-ED. Congratulations on getting your new job! It sounds awesome!

I totally get the guilty feelings! I stopped working March 2020 due to COVID because my 86 year old mother is living with me! She has had respiratory issues in the past and I just couldn't see being out there and possibly bringing the virus home to her! Here it is a year later and I am back to work...now as a nurse educator. We are both vaccinated and doing well. I have no regrets over the past year, as I got to know my mother better as a friend and a roommate and not just as her daughter!

Hi! I am a newly minted MSN-ED with a new job as an instructor in a small ADN program. I have the Nursing Fundamentals class for skills and clinicals. I have 11 students who have no healthcare experience. I will take half on wednesdays and the others on thursdays so I am not so overwhelmed with all 11 at once. We will be going to a nursing home. This is the first clinical group being allowed there since COVID. I have never been there before. I could use some pointers on how to get started! Thanks for all your suggestions!

I understand your feelings of guilt. I have them myself from time to time. I had been working per diem in home health when the coronavirus hit the US. I also live with my elderly mother who has history of respiratory problems. At her insistance, I stepped away from my job and have been isolating at home with my mother. I would feel just horrible if I brought this devastating virus home to my her! I have never caught anything in the past from a patient, nor brought any diseases home in 20 years of being a nurse in numerous healthcare facilities. It is just not worth the risk right now! I'm keeping up with the other elderly residents in our condo community, making masks, and organizing online grocery deliveries. I may not be on the frontlines with all the nurses and doctors, but I'm doing my part on the homefront! Stay safe everyone!

I was working per diem home health. I also share my condo with my elderly mother. She is very susceptible to respiratory infections. Even though I have always maintained good infection control techniques, I just felt it was best all around to stay home with her.