What gives??!!

Specialties Educators

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I graduated this past February with my MSN/Ed. I have applied to many faculty positions in colleges/universities and diploma schools. So far, i have received no calls for interviews and 3 positions have already been filled that i applied for. I have done 6 guest lectures already - 5 during my practicum and 1 after i had graduated. I live in Pittsburgh PA, si it is a big city, so why cant i get a position??

Do they want you to already have a doctorate? (I plan to obtain after i work for about 6 months to get used to faculty work). I cannot do clinical faculty due to the fact that i have had 4 major back surgeries and cannot do clinical work anymore. So what gives???

I really need some advice!

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I've never seen a clinical instructor have to assist a student with lifting, etc. The nurse assigned to the patient would be the person for that job, not you.

Specializes in ER, ICU.

OK, sorry, you have lots of nursing experience. What I meant was professional certifications like CCRN, CEN, and so on. There is a CNE (certified nurse educator) which is next on my list. It might make you stand out against other candidates. I agree that your back situation should not prevent you from teaching clinicals but I don't have any expertise in that area. I have two teaching jobs that do not involve clinicals, one of them is online, so those jobs are out there. Good luck.

Specializes in Pediatrics.

It sounds to me like it is likely a combination of many factors that is leading to your inability to find a job. The fact that you are unable to teach clinicals is a huge factor: (while I don't live in your area), where I am (and specifically where I teach now) every single full time faculty member is obligated to teach clinicals. Even the tenured, full professors. Oftentimes, new faculty members start out as adjunct clinical instructors. You may want to consider looking into a skills lab position, that may be less physically taxing?

Being a new faculty member could be a deterrent as well. Regarding a modified or lighter assignment ( not saying it is easier, but you mentioned them as lighter due to size)- While you do have a nice variety of experience, it would be unrealistic for you to be placed in a peds or maternity assignment as a brand new faculty member. In some places, it is expected that you'll be able to do whatever they need you to.

Lastly, the lack of a PhD could also be a factor. Again, not sure about your locality, but where I love it is definitely preferred. In some cases it is required, for BSN programs.

Specializes in education, Peds ICU, cardiac, LNC, psych.

Nurse2033, I hope I did not offend you, that wasn't my intention. I did not mean to come across that way. I appreciate all of the advice.

As for the clinical instructor positions - I know I sound so stupid about it, but it was never covered in school as to what you have to do exactly. I only go by what I saw my instructors do when I was in my diploma program. The actual RN pretty much did nothing with the patient a student was taking care of, so if you needed to lift the patient, you would have the nurse (if u can find her), a classmate, or the instructor help you. I do feel stupid not knowing really what it all entails. The books I have on nursing education don't really cover clinical all that much.

Specializes in education, Peds ICU, cardiac, LNC, psych.

I don't tell the potential employers anything about my physical situation, so they really do not know at this point, but there is a Director that used to be a higher management nurse when I worked at the same hospital when I got hurt, so of course I get paranoid about the whole "black ball" thing.

Will hospitals hire while you are working on your PhD? I plan to enroll in a program spring 2015. I think it may be too late for fall.

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

WGU (Accredited Online University | Online Degree Programs | WGU) has work from home jobs for MSN nurses. I used to be an evaluator for them, grading student work from home. You might look into that.

Specializes in Pediatrics.

As for the clinical instructor positions - I know I sound so stupid about it, but it was never covered in school as to what you have to do exactly. I only go by what I saw my instructors do when I was in my diploma program. The actual RN pretty much did nothing with the patient a student was taking care of, so if you needed to lift the patient, you would have the nurse (if u can find her), a classmate, or the instructor help you. I do feel stupid not knowing really what it all entails. The books I have on nursing education don't really cover clinical all that much.

That is really unfortunate. Did you not have to complete a practicum (student-teaching hours)? The problem is, you may not get much of an orientation in a new job. Not sure how you should approach this moving forward. It's a tough position to be in.

regarding being enrolled in a doctoral program, that definitely would help, if the doctorate is preferred, not required. I recently saw an ad for a school that I would love to consider working at; it said "earned doctorate required". I guess I have to wait :(

Specializes in Pediatrics.

What I meant was professional certifications like CCRN, CEN, and so on. There is a CNE (certified nurse educator) which is next on my list. It might make you stand out against other candidates.

You need documented and verified teaching hours to sit for the exam. I forgot exactly how many, but at least the equivalent of a years full time (maybe more, can't remember).

Specializes in education, Peds ICU, cardiac, LNC, psych.

I did have a practicum. But it was only classroom teaching that I got to experience.

Specializes in education, Peds ICU, cardiac, LNC, psych.

Meanmaryjean,

I looked at 's website and they do have lots of work from home positions. I am definately going to apply. Thank u for pointing me in this direction. Maybe this is what I need to start, especially while I am obtaining my PhD. Hopefully it will work out. Thank u again!

Specializes in education, Peds ICU, cardiac, LNC, psych.

To everyone who has given me advice and replied to my discussion,

You have no idea how much this means to me to have your support and advice. Although I may come across as dumb and naïve, I truly am not, I just want you all to know that. I guess it is just a lack of "real life" education in this field. In school, even in my practicum, they made it sound like a brand new educator can get a lecture position right off the bat. And I want everyone to know if any of my replies come off as offensive or irritated, I do not mean it that way. I really appreciate all of the help and advice you are giving me. So, I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart. And please, keep the advice coming!!!

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