Starting new position as inpatient nurse educator, what can I expect?

Updated:   Published

Starting new position as inpatient nurse educator, what can I expect?

Hi, I'm a BSN nurse with only 4 years of experience: 2 years within telemetry; 1 year in OR; and 1 year in remote utilization management. 

I chose to switch jobs again because I did not enjoy working within insurance or the company I worked for. I live in Seattle, so it was kind of a struggle to find another position that was away from the bedside. I did find one position, and it's being a "Professional Development Specialist" for the operating room. It's an entry level position into the education department and only a BSN is needed to start. 

I'm unsure if I will actually enjoy the position because it's a mon-fri gig again, and I would have to work away from home.  Although I think I may enjoy teaching as I did take a teaching course some years past. My friends think it may suit me because I love to explain things to them.

I'm still unsure of what I can expect from this sort of job, so I was wondering if you lovely people on here can give me an idea? 

I'm primarily wanting a job that has a good work- life balance (no forced unpaid overtime and I can leave work at work) and promotes autonomy (my last job heavily micromanaged my teammates like young children).

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Not to be a negative Nancy, but only 1 year of OR experience for an OR professional development specialist? You're being set up to fail in my opinion or aren't qualified to apply for the position.  Have you been offered the position or are you considering applying for it? 

This role is responsible for the orientation and ongoing competency of staff. Some days there is a need to stay late, and as it's salaried, there's no compensation other than trying to leave early another day. You need to be able to teach the foundations, have strong knowledge of the proficiencies required, and know who your subject matter experts are for the intricacies. It's really not a role for someone without at least 3 years OR experience after orientation but better yet at least 5 years OR experience after orientation.

7
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Rose_Queen said:

Not to be a negative Nancy, but only 1 year of OR experience for an OR professional development specialist? You're being set up to fail in my opinion or aren't qualified to apply for the position.  Have you been offered the position or are you considering applying for it? 

This role is responsible for the orientation and ongoing competency of staff. Some days there is a need to stay late, and as it's salaried, there's no compensation other than trying to leave early another day. You need to be able to teach the foundations, have strong knowledge of the proficiencies required, and know who your subject matter experts are for the intricacies. It's really not a role for someone without at least 3 years OR experience after orientation but better yet at least 5 years OR experience after orientation.

Yes, I was offered the position after the panel interview. I will be working under the main educator.

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Is that main educator in the OR with lots of OR experience? How much experience do you have in the OR not counting the time on orientation?

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Rose_Queen said:

Is that main educator in the OR with lots of OR experience? How much experience do you have in the OR not counting the time on orientation?

The main educator has 10 years of OR experience. I have 6 months of OR experience off orientation. I interviewed with the education department and they are aware of my lack of skill experience. 

 

Having OR experience was not required for the position.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
Kat12340 said:

Having OR experience was not required for the position.

That is, quite frankly, insane. I'd run.

7
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yeah, I feel like it is extremely tricky to be an educator in a unit where you haven't already worked. It can be hard to earn the respect of really seasoned nurses because they think they know more than you (and probably do), both about knowledge-based content and about unit policies and practices.

It's also a little bit concerning that nobody who currently works there wanted the position, since those roles are usually hired from within, and there's almost always somebody on staff who wants to get away from the bedside. I'd be a bit apprehensive if there's a reason why none of the current staff wanted that job.

I'm sure you can do it with very strong support, but it sounds like you might be set up for some frustration.

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
adventure_rn said:

Yeah, I feel like it is extremely tricky to be an educator in a unit where you haven't already worked. It can be hard to earn the respect of really seasoned nurses because they think they know more than you (and probably do), both about knowledge-based content and about unit policies and practices.

I had over a decade of clinical experience and nearly 5 years of educator experience and I felt this moving to a new organization I had not previously worked for when I accepted an educator position.

3
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/ER/Med-Surg/Case Management/Manageme.
Rose_Queen said:

That is, quite frankly, insane. I'd run.

Yep.  Totally agree.  I have no OR experience but have to wonder what the staff receptiveness might be for someone with so little "hands-on" experience.  That applies to any "Professional Development Specialist" position...pedi, ob/gyn, M/S, etc. Speaking only for myself, I think I might feel like I could learn from a video or book almost anything the OP could teach me.  Experience lends itself to credibility.  Personally, I would encourage the OP to gain more experience before heading in this direction.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion