Hello to all from Debi

[debic1965]

My name is Debi and I just joined.

[AmandaWIRN]

Welcome!

[cougarnurse]

Welcome to the site, Debi; nice to meet you. What's your specialty, if any?

'Cat'

[nursinghumor]

Hello Debi,

Welcome to the forums, browse around, see what conversations are going on. Feel free to ask any questions you have.

Take it easy,

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.nursefriendly.com

[debic1965]

Thank you for the welcome. I have worked with acute inpatient psych, geriatrics (still do part time) as well as geriatric psych, was a nursing instructor for 2 years as well.

[nursinghumor]

How did you like being a nursing instructor? Has to be stressful keeping tabs on your students.

Have to wonder what kind of state Nursing schools are going to be in. The average age of a nursing instructor pushing 60, lots will be retiring soon.

"Compounding the salary issue is the age issue. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the average age of a nursing professor is 57. “The average age of faculty here at Penn is 49½,” Ms. Meleis said. “They get here and retire within 10 years.”"
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/13/jobs/13jmar.html

Once they start retiring in droves, what will happen to the nursing programs I wonder.

It isn't that far away.

Andrew Lopez, RN
http://www.nursefriendly.com

[debic1965]

Andrew, I loved being an instructor but it was hard at time. Often I taught the LPN, RN, and allied health in the same time frame. I enjoyed seeing the "ah ha moments" but now want to give back. Was looking at traveling. Wanted to be a nurse who could help the men and women in service. I thought with my psych background and degree that might be possible. Saw some of them in the inpatient acute arena coming out of Iraq. Thought being closer to the source might make their transitions or encounters more bareable or easier and safer for all involved.