A howdy and a question.

[andrew19126]

Hello everyone!
I'm new to this site and have decided to get into nursing. After years of playing the child role (lazy, no real goals in life, just wanting to play around) I've decided to "grow up." Anyhoo, I've heard that there are ALOT of careers centered around nursing. But, what I want to do/know is; ok, I can probably become a nurse. How about becoming a nursing teacher? Somewhere, I heard that there aren't that many teachers for this field. Is that true? What should I do? Work in a school, or somewhere a nurse is truly needed? I'd love to teach. I know it's not going to be easy, and I'm not worried about pay-just being able to preach about what I really like.

[jayne1975]

Most colleges/universities that offer a nursing degree require their educators to have a Master's degree in nursing, some a Baccalaureate degree for clinical instructors. I would talk to a counselor or an adviser at the college you are considering getting your nursing degree and ask them what the requirements are in your area and their advice on your personal goals. My experience with my own instructors and those of the nursing students that I've precepted into practice, is that those who have experience as a practicing nurse are better able to teach because they have "real life" examples and an understanding of nursing that you cannot get in a classroom only. (Before anyone jumps on that, I realize that some educators are exceptional even without that experience, but I believe they are the exception.)

[TriciaB]

It always strikes me as premature when people who haven't even been accepted into nursing school are already trying to figure out where they're going to specialize. Do you feel particularly drawn to nursing? If what you really want to do is teach, why don't you just become a teacher?