Teach or Practice as NP? Undecided.....

rnsrgr8t · Dec 6, 2006

Hello Southlady! Congrats on your decision to go to grad school! You are in the same boat I was in a few years ago. I initially went back to school (to a NP program) with the idea that I would learn the skills but probably just want to teach. After I got into the program, I enjoyed it so much that I am now practicing as an NP. The money is better (I had a lot of loans) and I really like it. I do plan to teach at some point and I am already precepting students. You may not know exactly what you want to do until you get into it. Most of my instructors in nursing and grad school where NP's so you can go to school for that and still be able to teach. Good Luck!

Trauma Columnist · Dec 7, 2006

Hi guys...I was in the same boat when I decided to go to grad school. I knew that I did want an MSN but wasn't sure in what. I ended up with an MSN in management and leadership but then (oh oh), I absolutely did not want to be a manager (this was in part due to my clinical experience). So...off I go back to school for an adult health CNS. With my MSN, I can teach and with my APN certificate, I can care for pts. The best of both worlds.

npingeorgia · Dec 8, 2006

Hi,

I too was in your same situation when going back to NP school. I knew that there was going to be a time when a teaching schedule would work for me and I would be ready to get out of the ER and stop doing 12 hour shifts. I decided to do MSN with FNP as my concentration. I do feel like you can do both, I have been precepting some undergrad. nursing students and feel like it's where I can really give back to nursing. I have only been NP for about 2 years now and still enjoy doing that. So, it really is the best of both worlds as stated by traumsRUs. Teaching doesn't pay well, so it's a swap off for the schedule. The problem that I am having since recently moving clear across the state and the only teaching experience that I have so far is doing a ton of ACLS classes, TNCC classes, etc and precepting nursing students, is that getting a teaching job is not as easy as you would think, especially in light of faculty shortage. My advice to you if you want to teach is to get affiliated with a program so that you can work your way into a slot and know when there is one available. I would have had that opportunity where I previously lived so I think the move hurt in that aspect. It has been explained to my by those in the teaching community that often times there is alot of red tape involved in getting the approval for additional instructors and finding the money to pay them. I am just getting to know how all of that works here in the state of Georgia, may be some different in Alabama. So good luck in whatever you do.

Trauma Columnist · Dec 8, 2006

Another resource for teaching might be your grad program. I am fortunate to have some contacts here and there is a huge shortage of teachers in my area. However, as npingeorgia so correctly puts it - it is a HUGE pay cut.