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Discussion

Trying to decide....

I have been a nurse on PCU for two years and want to go back to school for my MSN. I know that I want to teach but feel the NP route gives me the most options. I am torn though between choosing the NP path or the nurse educator path. I am 47 years. Am I too old to pursue the educator role without years of experience? By the time I finish school I will have about 5 years. I don't want to spend all my money and time on a degree that won't provide a living, but I don't see myself doing bedside nursing in my sixties and seventies. Do I have a shot at a faculty career if I get my MSN in education?

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    The nurse educator role would be awesome! I am also interested in that. Best wishes!

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    There are fewer jobs out there as nurse educator than there are as NP. Depending on your area of expertise (and you do need to have one), your options as an eductor might be even more limited.

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    Where I am from, I believe that NPs can also be hired to teach...at least at the associate degree level. So maybe NP would give you the option to work as an NP or teach?

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    I am a nurse educator, MSN with emphasis on education. I truly enjoy what I do. Besides working in the hospital I serve as clinical instructor thru a university and earn extra money there. You can also focus on one area of nursing and become a local "expert" in diabetes, oncology, caridiology or whatever the market demands. But if you want more direct patient care then the NP route is for you. Good luck in whatever you decide.

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    Experience helps.

    To be honest, I make more at the bedside with my BSN than I do teaching with my MSN; but that is because I have been at bedside for a long time and pretty much maxed out on the salary scale.

    Bluntly: do you want patients or students? Pick the route that takes you where you want to go.

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    I received my MSN Ed at 54 and am a DON of a Practical nursing/nurse aide program. Love it. I made the move because I need more options, after 35 years of nursing physically I knew I did not have many more years left in me. My back is pretty gone, so I decided it was time for me to give back. I wanted to be in a place that would graduate nurses that I would want to take care of me. I am Loving it.

    You are never too old to continue your education. I had a person in my Masters class that was 65 and she was moving on for her Doctorate, I plan to eventually work on mine. I have a faculty member in her mid 60's working on her dissertation she is wonderful, young at heart great with the students and stays up to date.

    Go for it

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    "The heart wants what the heart wants." I was at the bedside for almost 20 years before I decided I wanted to teach. Teaching has given me a second career in nursing after I retired from the bedside in Sept last. I had been doing both but the physical demands were relentless and both suffered. Now I am teaching clinical nursing, hopefully helping to ensure a competent and compassionate new generation of nurses.

    Good luck!

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