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This is an old thread, but I think its really helpful. I am wondering if there is any difference in the outlook for nursing faculty. I read elsewhere that tenured positions are going away overall. But, is that also true for nurses? With all the talk of the need for nurse educators, it would seem there would be some incentive. Its deflating to think that after all the hard work and cost of graduate school, there may not be a reasonable full time position in the future.

I worked those hours for about a year in a large city. I loved it, the work is very rewarding. To be able to help a family in crisis is such a great feeling. I enjoyed not being a case manager, but still getting to know families overtime. What is bad, and why I was forced to quit was when the company got busy, but did not change coverage. Also, they took away my night time back up. I did begin losing too much sleep, and driving all hours of the day and night. Yes, a centrally located apartment would be ideal. I often wished I wasn't so far on the west side.Get rest anytime you get a break, no matter how long it's been since you last rested. Only out for 4 hours Saturday morning? Get a nap! No telling what Saturday night will hold.I think it's the best part of hospice care. Good luck! I hope it goes very well for you.

Thank you so much, SWEnferema, for such a specific explanation of all that went into beginning your program! :bowingpurWe do have much of what your described before you got to the training. The orders, the protocols for BP and electrolyte replacements, lab is supposed to be completely on board, etc. But, the training we will get is not going to compare to yours I'm afraid. One additional experienced nurse is to be brought in, I've heard. Additional to the trainer, who will be on staff with us for a month or so to precept us. We are not that far out. In fact, we are within 20 miles of an amazing medical center. Our nurses would love to spend some time in one of those hospitals. I wish we could get an agreement with one to have a few nurses work with us to train. I think they are holding back because of the cost of that training, but I am sure you agree, to not do so will very likely be so much more costly. I am not completely in the loop, since I am part time. But, I think I can have a conversation with our director at least, to discuss adding the mock senerios and some additional class time at the very bare minimum. I believe they are going to be more receptive to listening, with so many staff members running. Surely they MUST know that more will follow as the program nears the start date. Thanks again! I will keep you posted on how this shapes up.

The nurses are paid the teacher salary. They may or may not take into consideration your prior experience...meaning if they don't you will begin as a first year teacher. That is about $46,000 annual salary around the Houston area. I just put my application and resume in at all the area districts. You can maybe get your foot in the door by substituting in a district, then they will all know you and you will be a shoe in when a position comes available. good luck!

When I was a school nurse, I worked in an elementary school. I rotated posters seasonally, that reflected health issues for the season. for example, sun safety in the spring. I would suggest looking into propaganda from the AHA. They offered free posters. So do many other organizations. HTH!

Hi all! I have mostly been a lurker, but I had to run this by ya'll. Just reading everyone's posts is so informative! I really value your opinions. I have been working part time in a community hospital 12 bed ICU. Its been very nice and have had a good core group of nurses. Well, all that is about to change. The hospital has decided to begin bypass surgeries, and we will be recovering hearts in a few weeks. Few of us have any experience with cardiac care. What our hospital is doing to prepare us: An 8 hour class, we will be inserviced on the balloon pump, and the nurse who taught the class will be in the unit to precept with the first few cases. That's it. So, to make matters worse, we have more than 75% of our night shift leaving, and about 25% on days. They are not happy with this kind of preparation for the program. There are a few new nurses coming in, that don't have experience either. This is all very scary to me. My question is, have any of you been a part of a new program starting in your hospital, and how did they prepare their staff? The nurse teaching our group has opened a few programs, she says, so I guess this is how it was done. I know it would never be done this way in the large medical centers. Are we all over reacting? Could this actually not turn out in a disaster? I too have my eyes open for a new opportunity. Being part time, I will have even less opportunity to be trained. Thanks for your thoughts and opinions!