Welcome to this month’s edition of The Nontraditional Nurse!
Each month, we bring you inspiring career stories, practical takeaways, and a deep dive into nontraditional nursing roles. (And yes—there’s always a corny joke.)
The Nontraditional Nurse spotlight
Dr. Molly McClelland – Nursing Professor
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“My favorite part of teaching nursing is that ‘aha’ moment, when everything clicks. When students understand why they’re doing something, they’ll never forget it.
— Dr. Molly McClelland
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This month, we’re spotlighting Dr. Molly McClelland, a seasoned nursing professor at the University of Detroit Mercy—who also happened to be one of my own (favorite) professors during nursing school! Molly brings decades of clinical expertise and a passion for teaching to her role in nursing education. From her start in ICU nursing to leading collaborative courses where nursing and engineering students build assistive devices, her impact is wide-reaching and deeply inspiring.
In our interview, she shares her journey from bedside nursing to academia, how she stays relevant in a fast-changing healthcare landscape, and advice for nurses interested in making the transition to teaching. Watch the full interview below.
Key Takeaways
Teaching is another way to shape patient care.
Molly highlights that education is a powerful extension of nursing—a way to build the confidence and skills of future professionals. Helping students find their niche can lead them to long-term fulfillment in their nursing careers.
Through teaching, nurses can make a wide-reaching impact beyond individual patient care.
Bedside experience builds a strong teaching foundation.
A solid clinical foundation is essential before transitioning into education. Most universities prefer educators to maintain a clinical role to stay current, credible, and relevant. This connection to practice helps bridge the gap between the classroom and real-world nursing and stay up to date on evidence-based practice.
Find your passion before pursuing more degrees.
Molly emphasizes the importance of identifying your interests and long-term goals before enrolling in graduate programs. Intentional choices lead to more rewarding and aligned career paths.
Education can fuel innovation.
Molly co-leads a one-of-a-kind nursing-engineering course that gives students hands-on experience designing assistive devices—a powerful example of how education can foster innovation in healthcare.
Career Deep Dive
Career Deep Dive: Nursing Education
Considering a transition into nursing education? Here are some thoughts about this career path:
✔️ Perks
• Deeply impact future generations of nurses and patient care.
• Enjoy a more predictable schedule and academic calendar breaks.
• Opportunity to maintain clinical relevance and mix up your week through dual roles.
• Be part of innovative interdisciplinary teaching opportunities.
⚠️ Challenges
• Balancing academic and clinical commitments can be demanding.
• Developing curricula and assessments may require new skills.
• Advanced degrees are often required, depending on teaching level.
💰 Salary Considerations:
Salaries for nurse educators can vary widely depending on the setting, geographic location, and academic level. Nurse educators working in healthcare systems may earn salaries similar to clinical roles, while university faculty positions may offer additional income through research or leadership roles.
Glassdoor Data for Nursing Professors:
Range: $115K–$192K/year
Median: $148K/year
Breakdown: Base pay ($97K–$159K), Additional pay ($18K–$33K)
Additional compensation from research, leadership, or administrative roles can also significantly influence earning potential. For nurses exploring education, this could mean comparable or higher compensation than traditional clinical roles, along with added benefits like a more predictable schedule and academic calendar.
⏳ Schedule & Work-Life Balance:
Teaching offers a stable schedule with academic calendar breaks and potential for part-time clinical work. While grading and curriculum planning can be time-consuming, many nurse educators enjoy a more predictable work-life balance and the personal fulfillment of shaping future generations.
How to get started?
Start with Clinical Experience:
Build a strong foundation through clinical nursing roles, as firsthand experience is crucial for credibility and effectiveness in teaching.
Clarify Your Goals:
Clearly define what teaching level and setting (university, community college, hospital education department) aligns best with your personal strengths and career aspirations.
Explore Educational Paths Strategically:
Choose advanced degrees or certifications thoughtfully. Consider a Master’s in Nursing Education if you plan to teach primarily at community colleges or within healthcare systems, or pursue a DNP or PhD for roles at universities requiring active research or leadership responsibilities.
Engage in Teaching Early:
Seek opportunities to precept nursing students, mentor new hires, or facilitate training sessions at your workplace. Hands-on teaching experience before formally transitioning will clarify if education suits you.
Develop Networking and Mentorships:
Connect with nurses already working in education roles, attend education-focused nursing conferences, and join professional organizations to build your network and gain insights.
Stay Clinically Relevant and Embrace Lifelong Learning
Keep one foot in clinical practice to maintain skills and stay updated on evolving healthcare practices. Many educational institutions value educators who bridge theory and current practice.
Teaching evolves alongside healthcare. Commit to ongoing professional development to continuously enhance your teaching methodologies and clinical knowledge.
Did You Know?
The U.S. is facing a severe nursing faculty shortage, limiting how many new nurses can graduate annually. By becoming a nurse educator, you can directly help address this critical need.
Your laughter injection.
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Why did the nurse carry a red pen?
In case they needed to draw blood.
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