Become a Nurse Educator

Nurse Educator Role

A nurse educator is a registered nurse who has advanced education, including advanced clinical training in a health care specialty. Nurse educators serve in a variety of roles that range from part time clinical teachers to deans of nursing colleges. Nurse educators have master’s or doctoral degrees and practice as faculty in colleges, universities, hospital-based schools of nursing or technical schools, or as staff development educators in health care facilities.

Nurse educators play a pivotal role in strengthening the nursing workforce, serving as role models and providing the leadership needed to implement evidence-based practice.

Nurse educators are responsible for designing, implementing, evaluating and revising academic and nursing continuing education programs for nurses. These include formal academic programs that lead to a degree or certificate, or more informal nursing continuing education programs designed to meet individual learning needs. Some of the benefits of a career in nursing education include access to cutting-edge knowledge and research, opportunities to collaborate with health professionals, achieving a high level of satisfaction from their work, an intellectually stimulating workplace and flexible work scheduling.

Learn about the Master’s in Nursing Health Care Education Degrees offered through nationally accredited programs.

Nurse Educator Career Outlook and Salary Info

Given the growing shortage of nurse educators, the career outlook is strong for nurses interested in teaching careers. Nursing schools nationwide are struggling to find enough faculty to accommodate the rising interest in nursing careers among new students. The shortage of nurse educators may actually enhance career prospects since it affords a high level of job security and provides opportunities for nurses to maintain dual roles as educators and direct patient care providers.

Nurse Educator Salaries vary depending on rank, education (master’s or doctorate degree) and where they are teaching. Nurse educators working in academic settings typically are on a nine-month appointment (e.g., September through May). The highest paying positions are available to faculty with a doctoral degree in public nursing institutions.

In 2002, full-time nurse educators with a nine-month appointment earned salaries ranging between $25,000 and $100,000. On average, full-time nurse faculty with a doctoral degree earned $61,000 in 2002-2003 while faculty with a master’s degree earned $49,000.

For those devoted to a career in nurse education, employment in a leadership and administrative role may be of interest. Many nursing school deans can earn more than $100,000 in a calendar year.

Education Requirements to become a Nurse Educator:

Nurse educators who work in academic settings must hold a master’s degree in nursing. In order to be promoted to the upper academic ranks (e.g., associate professor and professor) and to be granted tenure, academic faculty typically must hold an earned doctoral degree. Nurse educators who work in clinical settings must hold the minimum of a bachelor’s degree in nursing, but many institutions are requiring the master’s degree for such appointments.

Many master’s degree and post-graduate certificate programs are available to prepare nurses specifically for the educator role. Explore our fully accredited online nurse educator programs below and request information from the schools that interest you.

Popular Nationally Accredited Online Nurse Educator Programs

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