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
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:- M.S. in Nursing/Health Care Education
- MS in Nursing - Nursing/Health Care Education
- MS in Nursing/Master of Health Administration
- Lathrop
- San Jose
- Salida
- Costa Mesa
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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 Administration
- Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing Administration with Nurse Case Manager Emphasis (Online)
- San Diego
- San Marcos
- National City
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: Nursing Education
- M.S. in Nursing: Nursing Education (Bridge)
- M.S. in Nursing: Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems
- Phoenix
DeVry University
Campus
DeVry University provides quality education that employers respect, and is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (ncahlc.org), the same organization that accredits many other well-known public and private schools.
Programs:- Master's-Science In Education
- Alhambra
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:- Post-Masters Certificates in Nursing - Nursing Education
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) - General
- M.S. in Nursing (MSN) - BSN Track
Roseman University
Online
The USN accelerated online program offers accelerated nursing education that allows you to earn a BSN in just 14 months. This new program blends the personal convenience of online course study with enriching clinical learning in Henderson, Nevada.
Programs:- Accelerated BSN
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
American InterContinental University Online
Campus
American InterContinental University Online's flexible curriculum allows you to study when and where it's most convenient. Earn your degree at an accelerated pace from an accredited school that is respected by employers.
Programs:- Master's (M. Ed.) in Educational Assessment and Evaluation
- Schaumburg
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Campus
Take the first step toward advancing your nursing career. Chamberlain College of Nursing offers a highly respected degree coupled with clinical learning experience in your local area.
Programs:- Master of Science in Nursing
- Addison
Northcentral University
Campus
Earn your degree online and boost your career at Northcentral University. We offer online doctoral, master's, and bachelor's degree programs in education, behavioral and health sciences, and business.
Programs:- International Education - Doctor of Education
- Global Training and Development - Doctor of Education
- General Education - Master of Education
- Prescott Valley
West Coast University
Campus
Achieve your educational and professional goals with help from West Coast University. We offer accelerated Health Care Administration degrees designed for working adults like you.
Programs:- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Ontario
- Anaheim
Career Colleges of America
Campus
Get your career started with Career Colleges of America. We have four campuses in the Los Angeles area offering a wide variety of allied health training programs.
Programs:- Vocational Nurse
- San Bernardino
- Gardena
- Los Angeles
- South Gate
The University of Liverpool
Campus
Advance your career and increase your earning potential with a masters or a doctoral degree from the University of Liverpool. Study online in small groups of business professionals.
Programs:- Doctor of Education (Higher Education)
- Online
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
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
- Chicago
