Teaching Without A MSN?

Nupe4sleep · May 31, 2014

I just wanted to add an addendum to my post. As crazy as it sounds the other career choice I was considering was a Ultrasound Technician (Cardiac Sonographer). I'm still doing research on this profession but from what I've read training is only 18 months, salaries can be as high as $70K and they can work in the hospital or outpatient setting. I have to admit every ultrasound I've met seems to be very happy. Which is of paramount importance to me. I'm far less concerned with reducing my income or having "technician" behind my name. However, as I said I'm still doing research. Specifically on the academic requirements. I would assume I've already taken all of the prerequisites. I also think these programs are full time. Unfortunately, I simply cannot afford to go back to school full time so I would have to consider all of these factors.

I also wanted to add, I'm not here to bash nurse anesthesia in any way. It's a wonderful profession that can be very rewarding. I always encourage young nurses to pursue it if they have an interest. However a career as a CRNA can also be very frustrating. My desire to change careers is personal and the reasons are too numerous to list here. I'm sure my unhappiness has surprised most of you reading this post. Thanks to the "well oiled" PR machine at the AANA our job satisfaction is always rated at about 95 to 97%. My friends this number is terribly over inflated. It's just simply not accurate. However, nurse anesthetist are very well compensated for our highly skilled and highly stressful jobs. We're very well respected and the "glamorous" advance practice nurses. Therefore we are NEVER to complain. NEVER. However, when you hate to go work everyday it's time to make a change. A CRNA I met years ago when I was still an ICU nurse and in the process of applying to anesthesia schools warned me . . ."be careful what you wish for". Truer words have never been spoken.

I would appreciate any thoughts or comments on a career as an ultra sound technician.

suni, BSN, RN · May 31, 2014

I think you could teach and know that you can do it without an MSN. You can teach LPN or ADN students and the other options is CNA classes. As for being an ultrasound tech, I had no idea that they made that much and now you have me thinking about! I do have an MSN and while I am still a staff nurse I moonlight at a community college as adnjunct clinical faculty. It is a ton of work and I do not get paid for the paperwork involved so I say do what makes you happy.

Nupe4sleep · Jun 1, 2014

Thannks for the advice. Also, my apologies. I just read my last post again. I left out a word. I meant to say "Every ultrasound TECHNICIAN I've ever met seems to be very happy." Please forgive me. I'm exhausted, mentally drained and stressed.

Whispera, MSN, RN · Jun 1, 2014

It depends on the school as well as on the state, whether you can teach without an MSN. I taught for an ASN school, and a MSN was required to teach theory classes, by the school, the state, and the accrediting body.. Only those working on their MSN could teach clinical classes. Also, a high percentage of clinical instructors had to have MSNs.

I would think the requirements would be less to teach LPN classes, but that's just an opinion.

Nupe4sleep · Jun 3, 2014

Thanks

nekozuki, LPN · Jun 4, 2014

Because most LPN programs aren't taught at the community college/university level, BSN-level education is all that is needed (at least in central Florida). Even the director of the entire medical department at my college (public, but not a university) had a nursing director with only a BSN. They were fantastic!

JoAnnaSkewlRN, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2014

I teach as adjunct faculty at my local community college and enjoy it. Mostly doing clinical rotations for the ADN program and I am blessed that they try very hard to provide compensation for more than just "my time on the floor." I have taught CNA and LPN as well. I have a BSN currently, and I know that many schools (especially the online programs) want a masters and an RN. I would suggest putting out feelers by contacting some local colleges or online programs where you would like to teach. I hope this helps. Good luck!

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jun 5, 2014

I totally understand your frustration & need for a change. It is possible for a BSN nurse to be 'waivered' as a clinical instructor - for RN students, especially if you have some unique skills/expertise. It seems as though your background would be ideal for student experiences in Perioperative areas or ICU... you may want to see if you can 'sell' this idea to a Nursing school dean in your area. You may also be eligible if you are 'in progress' with your MSN - there are a lot of BSN-MSN programs that are 100% online these days so it may be do-able. In areas with faculty shortages, there are tuition subsidies/grants available for you to tap into.

But academic education is also one of those "be careful what you wish for" areas. Today's nursing students are a completely different breed that they were back in the day (hey, I'm old). The word "entitlement" takes on a whole new meaning when you have to deal with it on a continuous basis. Overt lack of respect for instructors, including well organized social media campaigns. Rampant cheating. Insultingly low salaries. Yeppers - it's best to have a realistic idea of what you're in for.

newnicurn · Jun 10, 2014

In my area they want MSN's for ADN programs the few that will accept BSN's want you to comit to getting a MSN in a certain time period. It depends on where you live and work. Maybe if you try staff development they will accept BSN. There are online programs that let you get a certificate or take only a few courses to get a MSN instead of the whole program.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Jun 16, 2014

contact the BON. Due to your advanced degree and experience you might qualify for a waiver. Otherwise, teach ADN, LVN. I think you would be great in a Respiratory Therapy situation too!

vandynpcrna · Nov 5, 2014

Nupe4sleep: I am currently a CRNA and have been practicing for 10 years now and, like you, HATE going to work each day. It's actually embarrassing to admit this and when I read your post from 2006, I relate to everything you said in that post and am so glad I am not the only CRNA in the world that dislikes his job! The weird thing is that I entered into this career totally not knowing I would eventually dislike this career choice so much. I have tried so hard to not feel this way for many years now, probably within the first few years post graduation is when I knew I was feeling this way. I've been a RN now for 25 years and used to work as an ER nurse, ccu nurse, and then, worked in Trauma as a nurse practitioner prior to applying to CRNA school. This week I asked myself: when was the last time I actually couldn't wait to get to work and actually enjoyed my job? That was without a doubt back when I worked as a ACNP in Trauma. So, much like you have already noted, any decision to switch careers now will probably be with a salary cut but I'm now looking into forming an exit strategy out of nurse anesthesia full-time and possibly going back to a ACNP role full-time with part-time CRNA work I'm hoping. I just can't see doing nurse anesthesia for the next 20 years before retirement. The reasons why I hate this job so much is basically verbatim everything you said in your 2006 post. My feelings and experience as a CRNA seem very similar to yours. I have beat myself up with guilt for feeling this way when so many would kill to be in our position, make the salary, etc. But salary clearly doesn't equal job satisfaction and fulfillment at the end of the day. There are some aspects of our career that I love and are exciting. But then the major negatives which you mention in that post, while might not be the experience of some, I think are a lot more prevalent than people might want to admit. I am just so glad to actually read that I'm not the only one who feels this way. Like you said in another post, I'm totally not on here trying to CRNA bash at all...I'm actually proud to be one and fairly good at the clinical aspect, but just haven't been able to figure out why, after 10 years of working in two different community hospitals (great autonomy) but I'm just so unhappy practicing in this field and have reached the point of actually dreading to go to work every day. Let me know your progress in your career change. I totally get it. I would love to work as a CRNA only part-time and definitely away from the insane OR turnover pressures, major egos of surgeons and MDA's, micromanagement, condescending treatment, and just plain unfulfilling work. The weird thing is that I dealt with some of the same issues as a ACNP back in Trauma and never felt this level of dissatisfaction that I think is present in the OR as a CRNA. Keep me posted on your career change and thanks for posting.