lecavalier4

I have a question about a dissertation topic. I also want to pursue a doctorate and want to go PhD rather than DNP. Can your topic be something like "forensic nursing" or does it have to relate directly to patient care?

I would like to be able to have both of these options, like you, llg. Seems like PhD will do it then?

llg, I would love to work in education and do research on education. So you do not think that getting an EdD in, for example, curriculum development will not make me a better educator? Or will everything just overlap? Am I over thinking this? I am having a hard time obtaining an educator position so I am really frustrated and feel like if I have a degree in this and a degree in that, all pertaining to nursing education, then I will finally land a job. I have decided to obtain my PhD but I was not sure if the EdD will enhance my education or just be a waste of time.

To everyone who has given me advice and replied to my discussion, You have no idea how much this means to me to have your support and advice. Although I may come across as dumb and naïve, I truly am not, I just want you all to know that. I guess it is just a lack of "real life" education in this field. In school, even in my practicum, they made it sound like a brand new educator can get a lecture position right off the bat. And I want everyone to know if any of my replies come off as offensive or irritated, I do not mean it that way. I really appreciate all of the help and advice you are giving me. So, I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart. And please, keep the advice coming!!!

Meanmaryjean, I looked at WGU's website and they do have lots of work from home positions. I am definately going to apply. Thank u for pointing me in this direction. Maybe this is what I need to start, especially while I am obtaining my PhD. Hopefully it will work out. Thank u again!

I did have a practicum. But it was only classroom teaching that I got to experience.

I don't tell the potential employers anything about my physical situation, so they really do not know at this point, but there is a Director that used to be a higher management nurse when I worked at the same hospital when I got hurt, so of course I get paranoid about the whole "black ball" thing. Will hospitals hire while you are working on your PhD? I plan to enroll in a program spring 2015. I think it may be too late for fall.

Nurse2033, I hope I did not offend you, that wasn't my intention. I did not mean to come across that way. I appreciate all of the advice. As for the clinical instructor positions - I know I sound so stupid about it, but it was never covered in school as to what you have to do exactly. I only go by what I saw my instructors do when I was in my diploma program. The actual RN pretty much did nothing with the patient a student was taking care of, so if you needed to lift the patient, you would have the nurse (if u can find her), a classmate, or the instructor help you. I do feel stupid not knowing really what it all entails. The books I have on nursing education don't really cover clinical all that much.

I really want to thank you all for replying and giving me advice. I appreciate it.

Nurse2033, I graduated with my MSN with the concentration in education. It says that on my degree, but i do not have a certification in it, like a post grad cert.

Meanmaryjean, You are not being too personal. I vannot do bedside nursing anymore. I will be able to supervise as you described. Maybe i am not giving myself enough credit. I get nervous because as soon as i hear clinical, i think bedside nursing. I know i would not be taking care of patients, but i think that i would be required to help a student, if say they needed help lifting a patient.

My nursing experience is 12 yrs in cardiac (adult), PICU, CICU (peds), dr offices (both peds and adult), psych (peds and adult), case managememt (a little), research (very little). I feel like i am being black balled again like when i was going for light duty positions. Black balled is the only word i feel could fit into how i felt then. I could do clinical instruction if it was in peds, maybe NICU, PICU, etc. I just cannot lift heavy patients. I do not know if that is part of helping the students out or not. I do not know.

I graduated this past February with my MSN/Ed. I have applied to many faculty positions in colleges/universities and diploma schools. So far, i have received no calls for interviews and 3 positions have already been filled that i applied for. I have done 6 guest lectures already - 5 during my practicum and 1 after i had graduated. I live in Pittsburgh PA, si it is a big city, so why cant i get a position?? Do they want you to already have a doctorate? (I plan to obtain after i work for about 6 months to get used to faculty work). I cannot do clinical faculty due to the fact that i have had 4 major back surgeries and cannot do clinical work anymore. So what gives??? I really need some advice!

I obtained my MSN/Ed this past February. I am considering both EdD and PhD. But i am not sure which to do first? What do you recommend?

Thank you for your advice everyone!