wildcatarnp

Hello fellow nurses! This post is for Nurse Educators (and to hopefully help other future nurse educators). I have been pondering pursuing a post-master's certificate in Nursing Education. Having now worked as an ARNP, I find that I enjoy the education piece that I provide to the patients. The best compliment I receive from a patient is when they say "you should be a teacher". Right now, I am thinking of starting by teaching Kaplan NCLEX prep courses. However, before pursuing this path, I am doing my research. Part of my research is this post! If you can answer these questions, I would be grateful for your time and your education for all potential Nurse Educators. 1. What are the top 3 things you love about being a Nurse Educator? 2. What are the top 3 things you wish you could change in your position as a Nurse Educator? 3. Did you pursue additional education (i.e. obtained a Masters in Nursing Education, Post-Master's certificate, PhD)? In addition, what education would you recommend a Nurse Educator obtain (I ask this as a University instructor told me I would need a DNP, but I am more interested in community and technical colleges)? 4. What additional duties do you find you do besides lectures or clinical instruction (i.e. being on committees, etc). 5. What is the one thing you wished someone told you when you first started being a Nurse Educator? It was hard to narrow it down to these 5! Again, I truly appreciate your time!

Would you accept a position where you are the first NP to be hired into that department?

I graduated a year ago with my FNP, and having a hard time finding a position. I had one job offer, but it was for interventional radiology. I declined it because they wanted me to work from 7am to 5:30pm for 5 days a week. When I asked how long lunch was, I was told that "you take it when you can". The environment sounded horrendous. A former employer was willing to hire me, but I would be doing nursing duties and management. This is not why I went for my FNP. I did apply for a primary care position and interviewed, but was told that they hired someone with "experience". I truly think it depends on the market in your area, as I am a FNP with 10 years nursing experience and unable to find a position. It seems no one wants to hire the "new grad". I am truly considering getting a post-masters in PMHNP.

I figure, why not ask and see why others were motivated. May be this will inspire future NPs!

I may be starting down this path soon. I would love an update on how everyone is doing in this area. Thank you!

I hope the title is not misleading. Basically, I graduated a year ago and had started working (I am a FNP). Within a year, I left the job because of the horrible environment, and have been searching for a job for 6 months. I would interview for a position, but most employers stated that "I lack experience". I needed to eventually bring in a paycheck, so I started working for the laser hair company (a national chain) The pay is wonderful, but I do not feel like I am really contributing to the NP profession. In some ways, I feel like I am working at a glorified mall job. I am embarassed to tell anyone where I work! I am sorry if this offends anyone, but this is what I feel and this is what I am trying to reconcile. In doing laser hair removal, have I left the NP profession? Should I keep seeking a new job? Some say they love it here as they do not have to do a lot of charting, they do not go home worrying if they prescribed the wrong medication, etc. Coworkers tell me that we are doing cosmetic dermatology. I do not see it as cosmetic dermatology...... I know I should listen to my gut, but I lack confidence right now in my decision making skills. I guess I am seeking a validation or any guidance as I navigate through the job market. Thanks you!

It could be the location. For example, I am unable to move.

I wish I had advice. I am in a similar position. I notice most positions want someone with 2 or more years experience. When seeking a position, I know I will need support initially. Coding was not covered in my program, and most of the preceptors did not discuss it since the EMR system automatically did it. I have heard of a residency program for new FNP grads, however it is in Olympia, Washington.

Is it financially better to be on a salary? hourly? or percentage from revenue production (ie. 30% from revenue received from patient payment)? In nursing school, the third option was not discussed, but I have seen this offered.

First, I want to say thank you for those who have been helpful in their posting. I have been trying to avoid posting my complete backstory as I prefer not to have current employer seeing it. As we are learning, what you post on the internet can harm you in your future. Mahanndai- Not everyone knows their exact specialty of work as an ARNP or even as an RN. This is one of the bonuses of the nursing profession. I have my FNP, but that does not mean I HAVE to choose primary care. I have been an RN for 10 years, having worked from Neuro ICU to Cardiac Cath. I admit, I am not sure if I should focus on primary care or go into a specialty. When I started looking for a position a year ago, the only position I found, interviewed, and hired for was in Dermatology. However, there has been conflict (I will leave it at that) with the position. I enjoy dermatology, but the working conditions have reached a "hostile" level. I go home emotionally wrecked and it is physically taking a toll. In deciding whether to leave this position or not, I posted a few questions here on all nurses.com. One of my former BSN peers is a Psych NP. She had offered to "train me" so I could work with her in her office. After reading posted comments, I determined that Psych NP is not the ideal position for me. I interviewed for a Wound NP (being that it deals with derm) and posted a question here about it. I have been looking for NP positions posted on career web sites/hospitals and all are specialized areas. What I lack right now is "experience". All the positions are seeking a NP who have 2-5 years experience. I am not in the luxury in being able to pick and wait for the ideal position since I have to work to live. I did connect with local midlevels at a local meeting and discussed employment. I have even connected with the Derm Nurses Association and other NPs who work in derm to receive their advice. All are telling me to leave the position. It is difficult when the community is very small. Since the community is small, that means, there are no positions in derm open. I hope this clarifies things. Thank you BlueDevil, DNP for the advice. It really helped clarify if the DNP route is what I need to seek now. I agree, I need to wait until I know what area makes my heart sing before focusing on a DNP.

Do not drop out!!! Being a CRNA does not always mean the OR! My sister in law just finished her CRNA and is working in an outpatient setting and loves it! She was an ER herself!

Hello! I graduated this past year with my MSN in FNP. However, I am finding it difficult to find a position for a new graduate like myself. I am now thinking maybe I should go ahead and continue on for a DNP. Do you recommend this course or should I keep trying to find a position as an NP and pursue the DNP later in my career? Thank you!

I have never heard of the position and wonder what it is like. May someone elaborate on what your role entails as a Wound Care NP? Thanks!

I completely understand that OJT for psych is not going to cut it. I would need to receive a post-master's certificate. Dermatology positions are rare and the community is small. I did receive some training, but I need more.

I graduated this past year and was blessed to find a derm office willing to train me. The problem is that now, I am not being trained and the physician and I have personality conflicts. A friend of mine who works as a psych NP has offered to train me and to work at her office as a psych NP (I have an FNP). I just am not sure what to do. I enjoy derm, but the work environment is hostile. I fear that if I switch to psych, it would be hard for me to return to more medical positions, like primary care. I have applied to many positions, but as many new NPs have found, nobody is hiring if you do not have experience. In looking at my 5 year plan, I do not know what to do. I want to work in an environment where I get along with everyone. That I am paid above 100,000 a year and I enjoy the interaction with patients. My initial goal was a career as a derm NP, with the idea of becoming a presenter at conferences and to do research. Yet, my experience has me second guessing everything. Any thoughts? How do you see the psych profession growing? Would this be a bad switch?