Staff Development/Nurse Educator

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I was recently contacted about a job opportunity at a long term nursing facility. This organization is prevalent/popular in my area, so I am somewhat familiar with them. I do not have any real opinions about the facility, but I have heard negative things about Staff Development positions at these types of places. I have been told that these are often 'scapegoat' types of positions and many times are asked to work on the units when staffing is short. I have no problem being a team player, but many people make it sound like the education aspect of the job is how one spends the least amount of their time.

Does anyone work in a position like this that can shed some light? I'd like to hear experiences good or bad. Thanks!

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I am in professional development but my facility is an acute care hospital. We do get asked to fill in with staffing during critical staff shortages, which is usually around December when surgeries are up and the flu is knocking people out. However, we do not take patient assignments; we help transport, give meds and other tasks that knock things off the nurses' to-do lists.

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Specializes in Nursing Faculty, ER Nurse.

I am at a SNF as an education coordinator... and employee health nurse and CNA class instructor and infection preventionist and on call for staff nurse shortages and on call to handle scheduling when there are call ins. Make sure you get a clear picture of what will be expected of you before you decide.

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Specializes in Nursing Faculty, ER Nurse.

I will say, though, that the actual educator/instructor portion of my job I ADORE. If I could just do that, I'd love my job.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Yup. Hard limit for me. I personally would not take a position where I could be pulled into staffing for patient assignments.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Yup. Hard limit for me. I personally would not take a position where I could be pulled into staffing for patient assignments.

Agreed. It's really crucial to read job descriptions and anything you sign very carefully. According to my job description, my biggest work area hazards are "punctures, muscle strains, and paper cuts" and a max lift of 10lbs. So by that, I am clearly not supposed to be pulled to the bedside. Do I go there sometimes? Yes, I do. If someone needs hands for a massive transfusion, I'm your girl. But I am not going to take a shift. My life isn't set up for 12s, I don't get paid for shift work (salaried, so no OT or differential anymore), and quite honestly my cardiac health isn't great right now so I'm not physically up to it. It would be a deal breaker for me, for all these reasons.

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