Nurse Educators are in Demand!

With a record number of nearly 50,000 qualified applicants turned away by nursing programs in 2008, the need for nurse educators is dramatically illustrated. The most prominent reason given by nursing institutions for having to turn away qualified applicants is the lack of qualified nurse educators.

Although some LP/VN programs have begun to accept qualified BSN prepared nurses as educators, the preferred minimal education is an MSN. At the university level a PhD is commonly required.

Nurse educators combine their clinical and academic skills with an intense desire to teach. With today’s growing demands for nurse educators, the job security and rewards are almost guaranteed for at least the next decade as they mentor and prepare the next generation of nurses for the workforce.

Nurses are said to be the backbone of the healthcare system. Nurse educators help to mold student nurses into the strong, confident, skilled nurses who will carry this healthcare system into the future.

They will work with high school graduates along side older individuals seeking a second career as nurses. They will help foreign trained nurses adapt to the American system of health care delivery. And they may help nurses advance their education and training to become the specialists, researchers, leaders and even nurse educators themselves.

Nursing is a lifelong learning experience. Nurses who choose to help others to begin or advance their careers are highly skilled, educated and passionate individuals who enjoy helping others achieve their goals to become excellent clinicians. Nurses are all educators as patient education is an important part of the clinician’s experience.

Nurse educators need to have a solid clinical background and possess excellent critical thinking skills. They need to be great communicators (including having strong listening skills). They must also be flexible and creative as well as committed to excel at teaching.

Clinical courses include such specialty areas as acute care, pediatrics, women’s health, oncology, psych/mental health, home health care, cardiology and family health. Nurse educators usually teach clinical courses within their own clinical specialty.

They must also be involved in the planning and development of curriculum, outcomes assessment, and advisement or guidance of their students. They need to be able to assess the learning needs of their students and develop innovate approaches to teaching and assisting students from many backgrounds and cultures to become qualified nurses.

Nurse educators need to have strong knowledge of nursing theories, teaching and learning theories and how to evaluate students. They need to possess the ability to bring the theories to life and teach students how to incorporate these ideas into their clinical skills.

Salaries for nurse educators vary depending on their education, experience, location, specialty, and qualifications. Some work full time and others work part time. They typically work nine months each year and have the option to teach in summer programs. The median salary in 2008 was $71,297 with the majority earning salaries ranging from $84,000 to $115,000.

The downside is that many institutions don’t hire nurse educators full time and the nurses feel they can earn more working as clinicians. But the flexibility of schedules, the intellectual stimulation and fact that their work day is fairly constant is often times a big trade off, as is the tremendous job outlook and security.

The National League for Nursing offers a certificate program for nurse educators to help to establish and maintain a high standard of nursing education. MSN programs specific to preparing nurses to become nurse educators are available. Many BSN to PhD are now available across the U.S. for nurses looking for accelerated programs to become nurse educators. Scholarships and financial aid programs specifically geared for nurse educators are growing in numbers.

By Kathy Quan RN, BSN, PHN, contributing author for RNdegrees.net. Kathy is the author of The Everything, New Nurse Book and the owner/author of TheNursingSite.com.

Become a Nurse Educator - Online
Prepare yourself for a vital role in nurse education, training or staff development through earning your MSN - Nurse Educator degree online. Transform the future of health care - one student at a time: Explore Online Nurse Educator Programs

MSN - Nurse Educator Programs M.S. in Nursing/Nurse Educator RN - MSN/Nurse Educator MSN - Nurse Educator MS in Nursing/Education MSN Healthcare Education

Top Nursing Schools College Network Indiana State University University of Phoenix Walden University South University

Western Governors University

Campus

At Western Governors University, your competence - the knowledge and skills you possess - is the ultimate focus of every degree program.

Programs:

• M.S. in Nursing - Education
• B.S. in Nursing
• M.S. in Nursing - Leadership and Management

Campus Locations:

San Francisco

University of Phoenix

Campus

As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.

Programs:

• MS in Nursing - Nursing/Health Care Education
• M.S. in Nursing/Health Care Education
• BS in Nursing (RN Required)

Campus Locations:

Clearwater
Online
Southfield
Woodland Hills
Mesa
Jacksonville
Palm Beach Gardens
Hollywood
Gardena
Fairfield
Phoenix
San Jose
Los Angeles
Las Vegas
Livermore
Henderson
Elk Grove
Roseville
Maitland
Lathrop
Rancho Cordova
Reston
Pasadena
Chandler
Westminster
Arlington
Oakland
Plantation
Littleton
Costa Mesa
Miami
Fairfax
Fort Lauderdale
Salida
Lone Tree
Manassas
Sacramento
Troy
Houston
Independence
Flint
Diamond Bar
Tucson
Dallas
Clinton Township
Ontario
Westlake
Fresno
Murrieta
Temple Terrace
Bakersfield
St Louis Park
East Lansing
Spring
Saint Paul
Ann Arbor
Tampa
Beachwood
Hurst
Grand Rapids
Irving
St. Louis
Livonia
Saint Louis
Killeen
Orlando
Nashville
Sarasota
Lancaster
Sugar Land
San Antonio
Baton Rouge
San Diego
San Francisco
Daytona Beach
Aurora
Palm Desert
Portage

Kaplan University

Campus

Advance your career and get the distinct competitive advantage you need with an online degree from Kaplan University. And do it without missing a day of work.

Programs:

• MS in Nursing - Nurse Educator
• MS in Nursing
• RN to MS in Nursing

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

American Sentinel University Online

Online

Advance your career with the right online degree. ACCIS offers self-paced, real-world programs in Computer Science, Information Systems, Management Information Systems, and Business Administration.

Programs:

• MS Nursing - Education
• MS Nursing - Case Management
• MS Nursing - Infection Prevention and Control

CollegeAmerica

Campus

Finally, a college that delivers. CollegeAmerica is truly unique in that their curriculum is designed for one purpose and one purpose only: to prepare students for success.

Programs:

• Master of Science in Nursing Education (Online)
• Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing (Online)
• Associate Degree in Nursing

Campus Locations:

Colorado Springs
Cheyenne
Fort Collins
Phoenix
Denver
Flagstaff

Stevens-Henager

Campus

For more than 119 years, Stevens-Henager College has worked to train generations of graduates for new careers. Stevens-Henager College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Our degree programs, designed to help graduates compete in the ever-evolving employment market, include Medical Specialties, Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Surgical Technology, Business Management and Accounting, Computer Technology and Networking, Computer Programming, Computer Science, and Graphic Arts*. Online programs are offered via Stevens-Henager College, Salt Lake City/Murray. Stevens-Henager College Idaho Falls is a branch campus of the CollegeAmerica, Flagstaff, AZ, main campus.

*Check each campus for program availability.

Programs:

• Master of Science in Nursing Education
• Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing
• Associate Degree in Nursing Education

Campus Locations:

Murray
Boise
Layton
Ogden
Logan
Orem
Nampa
Idaho Falls
Saint George
Lehi

California College San Diego

Campus

California College San Diego (CCSD)offers degree programs in Medical Specialties, Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Business Management and Accounting, Computer Technology and Networking, Computer Programming, and Computer Science. Online programs are offered by our affiliated college, Stevens-Henager College, Salt Lake City/Murray.

Programs:

• Master of Science in Nursing Education (Online)
• Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing (Online)
• Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing Administration with Clinical Nurse Educator Emphasis (Online)

Campus Locations:

San Marcos
National City
San Diego

Herzing University

Campus

Take control of your career at Herzing College. Day and evening classes are offered in Business, Design/CAD, Electronics/Telecommunications and Information Technology.

Programs:

• MS in Nursing with a Concentration in Nursing Education
• BS in Nursing (Minnesota)
• BS in Nursing - Bridge Program

Campus Locations:

Madison
Brookfield
Minneapolis
Kenner
Kenosha
Birmingham

Saint Xavier University

Campus

“Success with Purpose” is the hallmark of a Saint Xavier University education that is grounded in the tradition of liberal arts. SXU offers graduate and post-graduate programs that are recognized and respected by employers and delivered by professional faculty who are experts in their fields. Founded in 1846 by the Sisters of Mercy, SXU is Chicago's oldest Catholic University, and it is recognized as one of the top 40 comprehensive master's universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Colleges 2010.

Programs:

• Nurse Educator Certificate
• MSN in Clinical Leadership

Campus Locations:

Chicago

Keiser University

Campus

Keiser University eCampus Online offers degrees in fields that are in high demand and provides job placement assistance to all its students and alumni.

Programs:

• Nursing, MS

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

Grand Canyon University

Campus

Don't Miss a Day of Your Future! Grand Canyon University is offering Bachelor and Master degrees through our College of Education, Ken Blanchard College of Business, College of Nursing & Health Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, and College of Entrepreneurship. Classes start soon!

Programs:

• M.S. in Nursing: Public Health
• M.S. in Nursing: Public Health (Bridge)
• M.S. in Nursing: Health Care Informatics

Campus Locations:

Phoenix

University of St. Mary

Online

Give your career a boost with University of Saint Mary. We offer online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels to help make your educational and professional goals a reality.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Walden University

Online

Balance your personal and professional commitments while earning a respected Ph.D., master's degree, or bachelor's degree online at Walden University. Programs offered in management, education, psychology and health and human services.

Programs:

• M.S. in Nursing (MSN) - BSN Track
• Post-Masters Certificates in Nursing - Nursing Education
• B.S. in Nursing (BSN)

Independence University

Campus

You can advance your career 24/7 with online education at Independence University, your proven partner with over 30 years of experience in delivering quality distance education right to our students. Our programs are designed to allow you to continue working and earning as you pursue your online degree.

Programs:

• BS - Nursing
• MS - Nursing Administration

Campus Locations:

Salt Lake City

Keiser University Graduate School

Campus

Keiser University offers accredited degree programs in today's high-demand careers: Healthcare, Technology, Paralegal, Business, Nursing and Legal Studies.

Programs:

• Nursing, MS (Online)
• Education, MS (Online)
• Education, MS - Teaching and Learning (Online)

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale