Qualifications of Nurse Educators

[rbs105, ADN, MSN, RN]

I am starting my MSN degree in nursing education but have really mainly worked in the OR. I am beginning to work in peds home care as I have done some peds rehab work, but am wondering if something like peds home care is going to be enough to teach peds. I have applied for a couple of med/surg jobs and an ICU job but am not getting any bites. I was actually told by a nurse recruiter that as an OR nurse "I don't really do anything anyway (as far as 'real' nursing goes)".

I am wondering if I am really stuck as far as an educator and will not have any prospects when I am done in 2 yrs. I have already been a nurse for 3 yrs, so if I start something new, by the time I am done I will have only been doing it for 2 or so years and don't know if that will be enough for anyone to consider a strong enough base to teach. Not many colleges or universities have courses in the OR and I really don't want to work in a hospital teaching in an OR.

I have looked at a couple of job descriptions for teachers, but wondered if anyone can fill me in on what they are looking for when hiring nurse educators and what I could work on now so when I am done and ready, I will have opportunities. i don't want to wait until I'm done and find I have no qualifications other than my RN and MSN. Any ideas or suggestions would be helpful. TY

rbs105

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Hmm - what do you want to teach? Clinicals for ???? Or classroom for ????

That should guide you.

[rbs105, ADN, MSN, RN]

I would like to teach peds clinicals or classroom content....I would love to do OR teaching (clinical or classroom) if it existed in a school setting (ie I don't want to be the OR educator in an OR)...or something like teaching NCLEX prep courses even.

TY

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Oh okay got it. Is your experience in the OR involving peds pts? If not, I would suggest some in-hospital peds experience if possible. Might be stressful changing jobs though with school. In NS I never had any OR experience but I think it would have been interesting. So...that might be something to bring up too to a NS.

[rbs105, ADN, MSN, RN]

I wrote my entrance essay about being in charge in the OR...it is an interesting place, but I really would like to teach. I will continue to look...thanks for your help...

rbs105

[CapeNurse]

Hi - I hope you read this even though it's April now - because when I went to nursing school there were a few instructors who had OR experience. One of them in particular taught dressing changes, aseptic vs sterile technique, how to set up a sterile field for sterile dressing changes... how to manage that field to protect its integrity etc... how to apply and remove sterile gloves. These skills are basic to the OR, ingrained in you, but students need to be taught them. It seems to me that you have many skills you could bring to the table.

She was a first year instructor, and also taught clinical on a med-surg floor. I do not know all the specifics of her experience, but obviously her OR experience came in handy for teaching purposes.

So, I hope these examples give you some ideas for how to play up the positives of your experience when you interview.... also!! Another idea is that you have great experience in dealing with doctors, so I'm sure you have some skills that could be shared for how to conduct oneself professionally and in a manner to facilitate communication with MDs. That is something you could bring to the table in a clinical setting. Or even as a presentation during the bridging experience most grads go through.

And maybe you have some other areas that you like to study.... fluid shift dynamics? or even pharmacology. We had some of the best lectures from this OR nurse on aenesthesia, sedatives etc... she taught two lectures of the series, but she taught well. Depends on how classes are structured. One person might chair a class, but we had "guest lecturers" from the faculty who presented various topics they were skilled in. So, maybe you have some areas of special interest that you would love to guest lecture in. She also taught respiratory assessment techniques and ausculation of heart and lung sounds. Well... I'd better stop - but maybe this helps a little, as a concrete example of an instructor with OR background.

Just some thoughts!

Best wishes!

[Goodoldnurse]

Sometimes it is all about the stories the students can relate to! You would probably be very good with fundamental students. They are so scared and those fundamental skills that you use daily are priceless!

Good luck and enjoy!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

If you are getting your MSN in nursing education you will learn how to teach just about anything to anybody. Remember, adult learners are self-learners. Your main job is to facilitate. You cannot be an expert on every topic. You will learn to be very resourceful and to utilize the true experts in your facility. We get accolades from the community and our employees about our ACLS and PALS programs. I use critical care nurses and EMT/paramedics to teach. I have never had ACLS myself, but I am able to coordinate the education. Don't worry. Part of any nursing job is assessing for what is needed then planning how to achieve positive outcomes!