Why Become a Nurse Educator?
Do you have to give up nursing to become a nurse educator? On the contrary, many Nurse educators continue to care for patients part-time, balancing their clinical practice with the education of future nurses. Even if you decide to teach full-time, you'll still need to be on the leading edge of clinical practice to ensure that your students are getting the best possible information.
There are many reasons to become a nurse educator. The main reason, if you're going to be any good at the job, is probably that you are passionate about both teaching and nursing. You already know you are passionate about nursing. But how do you know if you will be any good at teaching?
"I would say if you're interested in teaching, try it," says Christie Dryer, director of Cecil College ADN program. " I would try precepting if you're fairly new to it to see if you actually like mentoring at all; it gives you some idea of what teaching's like. And try it. You'll know very quickly. Try a semester of clinical teaching; you'll love it or hate it." (Interviewed on The Nursing Show, January 2009)
Other practical benefits to becoming a nurse educator include high job security, good pay, and convenient working hours.
High Job Security
As a nursing educator, you will be in extremely high demand. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, thousands of qualified applicants are being turned away from nursing schools because of a serious shortage of nurse educators. This results in too few nurses being trained to meet the needs of the nursing industry. Too few nurses means even fewer future nurse educators...and the cycle goes on. You can help avert the nursing shortage crisis by becoming a nurse educator. In addition to being part of the solution, you will also enjoy excellent job security and your pick of attractive job offers.
Competitive Salaries
The compensation for nurse educators reflects the shortage. In previous years, nurse educators were underpaid, which may have been a contributing factor to the current scarcity. Now, however, "salaries are catching up across the country as everyone's realizing we have to have plenty of qualified, competent nursing faculty to have qualified, competent nurses," says Dryer.
The average salary for a nurse educator is just over $71,000, but can vary greatly depending on how much clinical and teaching experience you have. Nurse educators who work only during the academic year are paid their annual salary over nine months, and summer teaching is usually compensated separately. If you decide to complete a doctorate program, you can expect a corresponding salary increase. In addition, if you take on administrative or leadership responsibilities, you should make more money.
Convenient working hours
As a nurse educator, you typically won't be expected to work 12-hour shifts or graveyard shifts, as you might have done as a clinical nurse. Much of your day will be spent in your office or classroom. You will need to prepare lectures, advise students one-on-one, grade coursework, participate in faculty meetings, handle administrative work and do research. Academic life is certainly demanding, and you'll need to be able to juggle several priorities at once, but many RNs who have transitioned into an academic setting say that the working hours are less stressful than in clinical practice.
So what is your next step to becoming a nurse educator?
First of all, you must be a registered nurse with a valid license and several years of work experience. Most nurse educators complete a Master's degree in nursing. At some universities, educators are required to have doctorates. Depending on your area of specialty, you may also choose to pursue a post-master's certificate or degree in education as well as certification. Wherever you are on the path to becoming a nurse educator, you can take advantage of the many online degree programs available so that you can continue to work while you study.
Become a Nurse Educator - Online
Prepare yourself for a vital role in nurse education, training or staff development through earning your Masters in Nursing Science degree online.Featuring the same fully accredited content and expert faculty support available to students learning in the on-campus setting, online RN to MSN bridge programs and MS in Nursing degree programs allow busy nursing professionals the flexibility to learn on their schedule. Transform the future of health care - one student at a time!Explore Online MSN - Nurse Educator Programs
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
- 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)
- Miami
- Clearwater
- Online
- Palm Beach Gardens
- Westminster
- Woodland Hills
- Phoenix
- Reston
- San Jose
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- Lathrop
- Jacksonville
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- Henderson
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- Fairfax
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- Spring
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- Killeen
- 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
- Fort Lauderdale
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
- Denver
- Cheyenne
- Phoenix
- Fort Collins
- Colorado Springs
- Flagstaff
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
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.
- Master of Science in Nursing Education
- Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing
- Associate Degree in Nursing Education
- Murray
- Layton
- Boise
- Ogden
- Orem
- Logan
- Lehi
- Idaho Falls
- Saint George
- Nampa
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)
- San Diego
- San Marcos
- National City
Herzing University
Campus
Herzing University brought its tradition of high-quality programs to the Internet by offering some of the same courses taught at its U.S. campuses in an online format. Herzing University instructors who are specially trained to teach online teach these selected courses.
Programs:- MS in Nursing with a Concentration in Nursing Education
- BS in Nursing (Minnesota)
- BS in Nursing - Bridge Program
- Madison
- Kenner
- Brookfield
- Kenosha
- Minneapolis
- Birmingham
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
- Fort Lauderdale
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
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
- Phoenix
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
- Salt Lake City
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)
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)
- Fort Lauderdale
Liberty University
Campus
We keep our tuition affordable because it is an integral part of the overall mission for our university. The vision of our Chancellor, Jerry Falwell Jr., is to keep Liberty's Distance Learning Program affordable so as many individuals as possible can experience a Christ-centered education and become equipped for excellence, professionally as well as spiritually.
Programs:- AA in Education (Non-Licensure)
- Lynchburg
