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Discussion

Wisdom on becoming an Educator

I am seeking the wise words of other Nurse Educators. I am an ADN RN with a desire to become a nurse educator.. to teach either ADNs, BSNs or even in the private sector for hospitals? My questions are..

Do you feel this is still a growing field / opportunity for employment in the next few years (as I will be going back for a Masters now - will take me 18 months - 2 years) [looking into Western Governors University or Univesity of Phoenix]

What steps do I need to take besides obtaining a MSN Educator Track to teach in California?

What other words of advise would you give?

:nurse: Thank you for your honesty, time and consideration.

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    Can't answer about California, but my master's program required a BSN first. Did mine all online except for the field work, which just needed a local school to have a contract with the university.

    My state university was much less expensive than Phoenix, the online programs are really worth looking into.

    Good luck!

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    • Experts

    Here are 2 other things to consider:

    1. Do you have solid clinical experience in a field that is high demand? That's something that some people don't think about. When people are hiring teachers, they want someone who not only has the proper academic credentials -- but also has the clinical experience / expertise to be at least proficient in the content they are being hired to teach. If you don't have sufficient clinical experience, you might find your educational job choices very limited.

    2. While you are studying to be an educator ... it would pay you to get some experience with ALL types of education, not just academic educator. As your OP indicates you already know, teaching occurs in hospitals as well as in schools. There are some great jobs as staff development educators out there and you seem willing to consider them as part of your career options. If at all possible, incorporate some learning about staff development and continuing education into your education. Some schools include only academic teaching in their curricula and ignore the whole realm of nursing professional development. (Is that because academic education is all they know?)

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    Thanks for the encouragement on the online MSN JBudd... both programs are RN to MSN online. :yeah:

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    • Author

    I like your suggestions of getting teaching experiences while doing my MSN so I can decide ultimately where I want to teach... but another question?.... how do you obtain these opportunities if you are no longer working / affiliated with a hospital? :confused:

    Here are 2 other things to consider:

    1. Do you have solid clinical experience in a field that is high demand? That's something that some people don't think about. When people are hiring teachers, they want someone who not only has the proper academic credentials -- but also has the clinical experience / expertise to be at least proficient in the content they are being hired to teach. If you don't have sufficient clinical experience, you might find your educational job choices very limited.

    2. While you are studying to be an educator ... it would pay you to get some experience with ALL types of education, not just academic educator. As your OP indicates you already know, teaching occurs in hospitals as well as in schools. There are some great jobs as staff development educators out there and you seem willing to consider them as part of your career options. If at all possible, incorporate some learning about staff development and continuing education into your education. Some schools include only academic teaching in their curricula and ignore the whole realm of nursing professional development. (Is that because academic education is all they know?)

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    • Experts
    I like your suggestions of getting teaching experiences while doing my MSN so I can decide ultimately where I want to teach... but another question?.... how do you obtain these opportunities if you are no longer working / affiliated with a hospital? :confused:

    Obviously, if you want to get paid for that experience ... then you would have to go back to work. Maybe you could get lucky and find something part time with your former employer. Even if it's just teaching CPR classes, it would get you a little experience, start you networking, get your foot in the door for other opportunities, etc.

    But you could also explore opportunities as a student to do projects and practicums that would focus on staff development. Talk with your faculty and see if any of the courses you will be taking would allow for such a thing.

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    I have just graduated from a MSN Nurse Educator program. I now wish I would have picked a different program. I love education, don't get me wrong, it just limits you. I now cannot afford to quit my current job to teach because of a $15,000 or more a year pay cut. If I would have done the Nurse Practitioner program, I could have still taught, but also practice as an NP. A Masters degree is required to teach, but many instructors have degrees in areas other than education.

    Just thoughts....

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    • Author

    Thank you for all the great replies and advice.. leaning towards WGU RN to MSN Educator Track.. concerned with the "compentency" versus "grades"... no GPA at graduation! ??? Has anyone had a problem with this or heard of problems for future if you desire to go on further in your education?

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    I am near graduation from WGU with my MSN Education Specialty. I also obtained by BSN through WGU. I love the format and have been able to fit everything in to my busy schedule. Several of my colleagues at the community college where I teach part time are WGU grads.

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