Today, there are many job opportunities for nurse educators. And it is certainly the perfect career for those who want to be actively involved in the development of future nurses.
People are living longer in today’s world and, as a result, the need for healthcare professionals will increase as the population ages. This means that the demand for nurse educators will grow even higher in the coming years. Nurse educators have a very rewarding job, as they mentor nursing students and help them to develop the skills that are needed on the job. They also have opportunities to conduct research, speak at conferences, act as consultants, and participate in community service. Many who are interested in this career now complete the MSN degree program with a nurse educator concentration, as this allows these students to get started in the field.
As a college-level educator for over 25 years, this position has given me the opportunity to interact with a myriad of students. These have ranged from the younger ones to older adults, students from this country and many other nations.
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If you want to know more about being a nurse educator, read on to find out:
How can I transition into a nurse educator role?
All nurses have the foundation for moving into more advanced nurse educator roles. A good way to move towards becoming one is to become an adjunct faculty member supervising nursing students during their clinical rotations. There are many opportunities for assuming this role because of the shrinking numbers of full-time nursing faculty.
To help adjuncts make the transition, more and more nursing programs have developed in-depth orientation programs. In addition, the new faculty member has a full-time faculty mentor guiding that person through the experience.
Many institutions also have nurse education departments that provide continuing education for their staff.
What should I specialize in?
The paramount role is in patient education. Everyone is familiar with nurses who are specialty educators in the clinical setting, such as diabetes and ostomy educators, and there are so many more.
Do I need an advanced degree?
As nurses become more involved in the education process, requirements for educators in healthcare institutions have increased from ADN to doctoral level. Depending on the institution, nurses may be able to precept students or new graduates with ADN degrees. However, the nurse may have to have a BSN in other facilities.
To be an adjunct faculty member, an MSN is usually required. Sometimes a BSN may be allowed depending on what the board of nursing for the particular state requires.
To teach full-time in an academic setting, a minimum of an MSN is becoming the standard. A doctoral degree is required for teaching nurses in graduate programs. Consequently, if a nurse is interested in teaching in a school of nursing, that nurse should plan on obtaining an advanced degree/s.
How do I finance my studies?
One of the biggest issues for becoming an educator is financing further education. But because of the shortage of nurse educators, there are sources of funding through various agencies. Hence, obtaining the financial resources should not be a limiting factor.
Do I need to quit my job to study?
Another issue may be the location of the nearest nursing program. There’s also the time to devote to studies, work, and probably family care. For that reason, online nursing programs for all degrees are available.
It also means one may be able to teach online. Online courses usually mean you can do the course work on your schedule. There is no commuting except for the clinical component or practicum, which can be usually completed at a nearby institution.
How much does a nurse educator earn?
Admittedly, my salary does not compare well with a nurse clinician. For me the satisfaction of seeing my students succeed has been what is important to me.
However, if someone is concerned about the pay, that person can work as a clinician when one is not teaching. As a rule, faculty members don’t teach all 12 months of the year, so there is time to keep up one’s “skills” and earn additional money. Some institutions may even require the nurse educator to maintain clinical skills.