Stalemate in My Career

[Nursingwithcompassion]

I have worked in a small community hospital in the ICU for 8 years. I am currently completing my MSN and will be done in 1 year. I am also on maternity leave which ends at the end of October. My passion is to one day teach and hold an educator position. This does not necessarily have to be in a hospital setting. Ideally within a school. However, life demands has made me going back to work full time not possible. I also feel burnt out from doing the same thing. 

My question is: would taking a position outside of a hospital decrease my chances of getting a teaching position down the road? I am ready for a change and want to venture into a different area. I just don't know what and don't know who to talk to! 

Does anyone have any helpful career advice they can give me? 

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

Nursing will always be nursing, doesn't matter if it's in the hospital or outside, but if you are aiming to specialize in something, you should look for a position that is somewhat related to your goal. In regards to you wanting to get into the education route, you should be looking into positions (FT, PT, PD)  related to that such as the educator for certain units. Educator roles in my hospital on tele and critical care had opened up a few times throughout my years there and from what I've heard from my former colleagues that obtained the position, no experience was required except just a BSN.

Look into local community college nursing programs and see if they're hiring.  Being a clinical teaching assistant (CTA) for my former nursing program, I feel like it's quite common to start doing CTA work on the side to get your foot in the door if one is looking to get into teaching and education in nursing. Two colleagues of mine had previous worked as a CTAs while pursuing their MSN in education and now are teachers in that nursing program. With that being said, I don't think it's always necessary to have a background in order to get a job; however, just like with any other job field out there, you need to compare yourself to other applicants. I don't think any nursing position would really decrease your chance. Instead of looking at what decreases your chances, look at what you can do to increase your chances. Aside from networking and a degree, experience in that field will also make you look good. Hope this helps.

[Peachpit]

Several of the teachers I had in nursing school had never worked in a hospital setting and they were amazing nurses. Can't see where not working in a hospital, especially with having experience, would cause any issue with your wanting to teach one day.

[MSRNKRL]

Hi. 28 years of nursing experience in Med/Surg, home care, case management, quality and patient safety etc. I was offered a teaching position because of my broad spectrum of nursing experience!! I have a BSN, Certification in Case Management and a Master's in Strategic Management. With your MSN you will be able to teach LPN and some BSN classes. I know at my alma mater you needed a PhD to teach at their BSN nursing program as a professor. You could teach clinical most likely. 

[Checkers08, BSN, MSN, RN]

Hello! Taking a position outside of the hospital will not deter you at all! I work PRN for an urgent care while teaching full time for an LPN program. Solid nursing experience and a strong desire to teach are the main things we look for when interviewing new faculty members. Your best bet for finding out your options for teaching in specific academic programs is to check out your state BON's requirements for nurse faculty.