Should I pursue advanced training as an educator?

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Specializes in ED, Cardiac-step down, tele, med surg.

I have been a nurse for almost 8 years, the last 3 in the ER. I was contemplating going on to get my NP license, but have heard mixed things about it, like struggling to find a job or taking a pay cut. So I am considering education. The primary reason I am considering moving away from bedside nursing is that I have had some significant back issues that I don't want to get worse over time.

How is the salary in CA, specifically the bay area? What kind of education do you need to become a clinical instructor and a lecturer? I presume I would need my masters for both. Thank you

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The salaries for community college instructors are posted on the schools' websites, as well as minimum requirements. The pay is significantly lower & MSN is required.

If you are interested in education I recommend looking into nursing education in the hospital, as the pay will be similar to working on the floor. Where I worked BSN was required for that position, but MSN was preferred.

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

You can teach online as well at the BSN level. You have options but will more than likely take a pay cut. Good luck

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Specializes in Nursing Education, Public Health, Medical Policy.
On 2/7/2020 at 1:49 PM, amzyRN said:

I have been a nurse for almost 8 years, the last 3 in the ER. I was contemplating going on to get my NP license, but have heard mixed things about it, like struggling to find a job or taking a pay cut. So I am considering education. The primary reason I am considering moving away from bedside nursing is that I have had some significant back issues that I don't want to get worse over time.

How is the salary in CA, specifically the bay area? What kind of education do you need to become a clinical instructor and a lecturer? I presume I would need my masters for both. Thank you

I am faculty here in California and I took a significant pay cut to teach. I work a per diem gig on the weekend to make up the difference.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Education isn't known for its pay. Quite the opposite. If money is your motivating factor you may wish to look again at NP, but avoid FNP. Go for ACNP or Pysch NP or some other high demand specialty.

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I'm not a California nurse but this is what I make here in Texas with a MSN in Education. I'm not full-time but the pool pay is $35/hr. Pool meaning I just help out when I can, no benefits. So for me I get pool pay when I cover for another instructor or when I help out in lab with the students skills.

When I have a group of up to 10 students at a clinical site it's written as a contract. Last year I was paid $5400 for a 3 month contract. I got paid once a month over a 3 month period with taxes removed. The clinical day was only 1 day a week at the clinical site for about 12 hours. I also still work in the hospital at the bedside.

As a clinical instructor it was great. No exhaustion. No lifting heavy patients. No passing meds. No angry docs, family members, staff, etc. I graded papers and clinical paperwork on my laptop. I did rounds, received patient reports from the students, checked their documentation, assessed their knowledge and skills. Very rewarding.

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