To All NURSE EDUCATORS...

[gbarrera2]

hello,

i recently graduated with a bsn, and am eager to begin graduate school this fall while working as an rn. as a mother of a 3 year old, i am able to attend school full-time with the help of my supportive mother and mother-in-law. i don't see any reason to pass up the opportunity to continue my education.

i am currently looking into msn & maed programs. i have discovered that i have a passion to teach. i want to serve students, and indirectly serve society. i am fascinated to know that i can learn alongside students. i also would really enjoy the school's schedule oppose to the hospital's. i am contemplating changing careers and becoming a h.s. science teacher. however, i am also considersing becoming a nurse educator since i will be teaching what i love and receive the rewards of being a teacherer such as a sense of fulfillment & purpose. i would really appreciate any advice, or suggestions. thanks.

to all the nurse educators:

are you full-time professor/lecturer? or, do you still work as an rn?

will i be able to teach at a university with an msn and educator certificate?

what is your schedule like?

will i be at a disadvantage having maed and wanting to teach nursing?

in the near future if i pursue a doctorate degree in education, will i be able to teach nursing without holding an msn?

thanks for your time!

[elkpark]

Welcome to allnurses! :balloons:

I am child psych CNS; I have gone back and forth between clinical practice and teaching nursing full-time over the last decade or so. I have taught in both ADN and BSN programs.

In many colleges & universities, you would be able to teach with an MSN without additional certification in nursing education. Requirements vary from state to state. In some states (I don't know how many, but I know my state is one of them), you would not be able to teach nursing (at the university level) with an MEd -- an MSN, specifically, is required. Also, job opportunities vary depending on the school -- some schools only hire doctorally-prepared faculty, some use MSN-prepared people in undergraduate programs, some use BSN-prepared people as clinical instructors. Obviously, one would have a wider range of opportunities with a doctorate.

Schedules vary greatly, but I must say that, despite the common public perception of teaching as easy and "cushy," it's one of those jobs that expands to fill all the available time. When I've been teaching, there's never been a single week that I've "only" put in 40 hours ... Also, because of the increased competition for clinical sites, lots of schools are now doing clinicals on evenings (3-11) and weekends, so you can no longer count on a Mon-Fri, "office hours" type schedule (more schools are offering evening and weekend classes, as well). On the other hand, you have a lot more freedom and flexibility about your hours than in most clinical positions.

As far as I know, having a doctorate in education would not be sufficient without having an MSN -- lots of people in nursing have EdDs along with MSNs, but, everywhere I've ever been, you need to have at least one higher degree (Master's or doctorate) in nursing.

It sounds like you are a new graduate; also keep in mind that most nursing education programs require at least a few years of solid clinical experience, and the more you have, the better (as a nursing student yourself, do you want to be taught be people who are relatively new to the field themselves, or seasoned, experienced pros?). If you meet just the minimum requirement for experience, you would be at a disadvantage competing against candidates with more extensive experience.

Best wishes on your new career, and choices for your future --

[Riseupandnurse]

I agree with everything the above poster said. You need an MSN to teach. I have taught in LPN, ADN, and currently BSN programs. I also still practice in acute care one day a week. I LOVE teaching!! Yes, you are busy all the time, but it feels like heaven to have Christmas Eve AND Christmas off! It makes such a difference to be in control of when and where you put in most of your hours. There are some aggravations, yes, but not nearly as many as in practice. And it is usually very rewarding, organized and civil, something that practice these days sometimes lacks. Good for you, get your MSN and then your doctorate. The DSN or PhD are the best to have, but you can teach most anywhere with a MSN and a doctorate of any kind.

[gbarrera2]

I also wanted to ask how difficult it is to get a tenure-track position at a University? Have you ever been offered such a position? As far as getting an MSN will most hospitals provide tuition assistance, what about for a PhD program in Nursing?

[gbarrera2]

One more question, what are your perspectives on applying straight to a PhD program from a BSN? Will I be at a disadvantage?

Again Thanks for all your helpful advice, I really do appreciate it!

[llg, PhD, RN]

Are you willing to relocate to go to graduate school? If not, then you should be talking to your local schools and finding out what they like to see in an applicant. For example, there are a few schools that will admit students directly from their undergraduate programs ... but others won't even consider it. Unless you are willing to relocate, you are "stuck" with the preferences of your local schools. You'lll need to contact them directly to find out their specific options and requirements.

Schools are offering fewer and fewer tenure track positions these days and most colleges are under financial pressure and tenure track positions are expensive. They prefer to hire part time adjuntss that don't get benefits, offices, etc. But that doesn't mean that tenure track positions are available -- just that they can be hard to get at some schools. But once again, if you are prepared to relocate, that shouldn't be a huge problem once you get some work experience and a graduate degree.