Nurse Educator

If you have a passion for teaching and a background in nursing, you may find a fulfilling career helping educate the next generation of nurses. Before you become a nurse educator, it may be important to understand some common educational steps to take, the expected salary and job placement outcomes, how to get certified and what the role encompasses. With all of this information, you may then be able to gauge your long-term interest in a career as a nursing educator.
How to Become an Nurse Educator

The following common steps may be taken to become a nurse educator:
A nurse educator is a type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) with specialized training and advanced degrees. Other types of APRNs include nurse midwives, womens health nurse practitioners, nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists. After becoming a registered nurse (RN), those interested in teaching nursing should consider pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from an accredited institution. They may also want to find a program with flexible learning options, especially if they are already employed in the health industry. For those who want to teach at a university, a doctoral degree is often required.
3. Gain real-world experience as a nurse educator

After becoming an RN and graduating from a masters program in nurse education, its important to pursue real-world experience in the field. This will help build your resume and set you up for future certification eligibility.
4. Get certified

TheNational League of Nurses (NLN) External link:

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offers two certification designations for nurse educators: Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) and Certified Clinical Academic Nurse Educator (CNEcl). Though neither is required to practice, both offer a competitive edge for nurses.
5. Complete continuing education requirements

While the steps above are a general description of a career trajectory, everyones individual path may vary. For instance, you may go from a bachelors of science in nursing (BSN) into a doctoral program. Next, well explore a few common pathways to becoming a nurse educator.
Masters in Nursing (MSN): By completing aMasters of Science in nursing (MSN) , students gain the necessary advanced degree credits to qualify as an APRN. Students looking to complete their MSN may consider getting their degree from anonline MSN program to fit their schedule, especially if they are working in the field or want to fast-track their program.
RN to MSN: An RN to MSN program enables students to specialize in a field of choice, including nurse education. Most programs require at least an associate degree in nursing, and some may favor a bachelors degree. Most accredited programs require an active RN license. A number ofRN to MSN online programs exist to help students further specialize their nursing careers.
Post-Grad Certificate: Students can earn a post-graduate certificate from an accredited academic institution in an area either related to nurse education or a separate specialization. Most programs will conduct a gap analysis to help students determine what classes to take. An advanced degree (masters or doctoral) is the prerequisite for a post-grad certificate program. A post-grad certificate in nursing education from an accredited organization may help students prepare for a CNE or CNEcl certificate.
Doctor of Nursing: A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is the highest degree awarded in the nursing field. Students interested in pursuing this track need to have an active registered nurse license. In most cases, except for when they pursue a BSN-to-DNP accelerated program, they should also have a masters of science in nursing.A DNP program to fit their schedule, especially if they are working in the field or want to fast-track their program.
BSN to DNP: The explicit benefit of aBSN-to-DNP program is that you dont have to spend time or resources getting a masters degree. Many programs will award you with a masters degree as part of earning your DNP. As such, a BSN-to-DNP track can save a student money because they dont have to invest in their masters degree.
Simmons University

Simmons University

info
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Choose from two program options FNP or PMHNP
Complete in as few as 24 months
Full-time and part-time tracks available
Nursing@Georgetown delivers Georgetown Universitys MS in Nursing program online, preparing RNs with a BSN to pursue certification in an APRN specialty. Students can earn their degree in as few as 23 months.
Earn your MS in Nursing in as few as 23 months
Choose from one of four APRN specialty areas: AG-ACNP, FNP, NM/WHNP, or WHNP
Gain hands-on clinical experience in evidence-based practice
Earn an M.S. in Nursing online at the Wegmans School of Nursing. Bachelors in nursing and RN license-required.
Part-time and accelerated tracks available
Four program options: PCFNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP
Nurse educators bridge the gap between nursing school and clinical practice. Nurse educators draw directly on their nursing experience to teach the next generation of nurses. Nurse educators will have generalized nursing knowledge, but they may specialize in one or two certain topics, such as geriatric care. They may also focus on a certain level of education, for instance, entry-level nursing courses or more advanced doctoral programs.
Unlike other APRNs such as nurse practitioners or nurse midwives that work directly with patients, a nurse educators main focus is teaching about the field of nursing. They may oversee students as they work with patients or see their own patients on a limited basis when not teaching.
Nurse educators design and implement teaching plans, oversee research, lab and clinical work, lecture and supervise internships.
Should I Become a Nurse Educator?

Nurse educators possess the theoretical background in nursing and the hands-on knowledge of how to administer care. Nurse educators exhibit the essential skills of communication to get others to understand their direction, research to advance the field of nursing and mentoring to support future nurses.
Nurse educators design and implement curriculum for nursing students. While they may have a small hands-on client caseload, in general, their expertise lends itself best to the classroom or overseeing clinical work of students. They lecture on various nursing topics, put together presentations for students, advise on internships, educational pathways and job opportunities, assist with research projects and mentor students. They act as a bridge between the practice of nursing in a clinical setting and the theory behind it.
Nurse Educator Certifications

Information on the below certifications for nurse educators was last retrieved in September 2020. Be sure to check with the organizations requirements for the most up-to-date requirements and eligibility.
A valid license/certificate as an active, practicing nurse in ones country of residence
An advanced degree in nursing (masters or doctoral) with an emphasis on nursing education -OR- an advanced degree in nursing (masters or doctoral) with a certificate in nursing education -OR- an advanced degree in nursing (masters or doctoral) with at least nine credit hours of graduate-level education classes
Option 2:
A valid license/certificate as an active, practicing nurse in ones country of residence
An advanced degree in nursing (masters or doctoral) with an emphasis in an area other than nursing education
Two years of academic teaching experience (valid within five years)
Fees :
NLN member: $400
Nonmember: $500
Renewal :
CNE certificates must be renewed every five years. The start day begins on the day the certificate is awarded and ends on the last day of the fifth year.
A valid license/certificate as an active, practicing nurse in ones country of residence
A graduate degree in a nursing-related field
Three years of professional practice in any area of nursing
Option 2:
A valid license/certificate as an active, practicing nurse in ones country of residence
A bachelors degree in nursing
Three years of professional practice in any area of nursing
Two years of academic teaching experience (valid within five years)
Fees :
NLN member: $300
Nonmember: $400
National League of Nurses External link:

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: The National League of Nurses (NLN) offers demographic information about nurse educators, research objectives, information about certification, professional development, upcoming conferences and job outlooks.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): Tobecome a certified registered nurse anesthetist , a person must undergo advanced, specialized nursing training to be able to administer care in a variety of settings from dental offices to hospitals to pain clinics. CRNAs are responsible for administering local and general anesthesia, sedating patients and giving spinal, peripheral and epidural nerve blocks. They often work with a care team before and after surgery.
Nurse Executive: Tobecome a nurse executive , you must complete an advanced degree in nursing and become a registered nurse. This leadership position is responsible for organizing care teams, being a patient advocate and a liaison across multiple departments. Like nurse educators, they further the field of nursing but rarely work directly with students.
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM): Tobecome a certified nurse midwife (CNM), you must undergo substantial specialized training in womens health and complete an on-campus oronline CNM program . A CNM is a type of APRN who works primarily with pregnant women on labor, delivery and postnatal care.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): Tobecome a certified nurse specialist (CNS), you must choose an area of focus to become your speciality. These nurses undergo all the basic nursing requirements of a registered nurse and then add an advanced degree and certifications in a specialized field, for instance, gerontology. They are seen as experts in that subject and consult other medical professionals, offer direct care, interpret research and focus on results to improve patient outcomes.
Nurse Practitioner: Tobecome a nurse practitioner , you must complete an on-campus oronline nurse practitioner program . While nurse practitioners pursue some of the same advanced education as nurse educators, the primary difference in the two specialties lies in a nurse practitioners routine care of patients. They advise and implement a patients overall healthcare plan.
FAQs

How long does it take to become a nurse educator?
The amount of time it takes to become a nurse educator depends on your specific track. In general, it takes about two years to become a registered nurse. An MSN degree can take another two years and a DNP can take two to three years on top of that. An accelerated BSN-to-DNP program can take five years. Times will differ depending on full-time or part-time status.

What does a nurse educator do?
A nurse educator has the unique role of helping the next generation of nursing students. They design and implement the curriculum to give students theoretical knowledge about nursing. They also oversee hands-on clinical experience. Because they are also registered nurses, they bring a unique perspective based on direct experience in the role of a nurse. Student mentoring, course/curriculum design, research advising and lecturing are all well within the nurse educator scope of practice.

Where does a nurse educator work?
Nurse educators work in academic, hospital and other healthcare settings. In an academic setting, nurse educators teach the theory and practice of nursing to both graduate and undergraduate students. They may give lectures in person or online. Nurse educators also oversee nursing students in clinical settings including health facilities and hospitals.

What makes a good nurse educator?
Nurse educators typically have exceptional communication skills because they need to make complex topics accessible to a variety of stakeholders, from those taking entry-level nursing courses to advanced nursing students working directly with patients. Their direction needs to be clear. Nurse educators are excellent researchers who can design curriculum and lecture on a variety of nursing subjects. Nurse educators help mentor a new generation of nurses, and as such, typically exhibit advising skills and administer practical advice for internships, education pathways and job opportunities.

What is the difference between a nurse educator and a nurse administrator?
Nurse administrators oversee the day-to-day operations of nurses including putting together nursing teams, reviewing budgets and supervising nursing staff. They may put nurse educators on a team as the need arises, but they dont take on teaching positions unless they are teaching a specialized workshop on nursing administration. Like nurse educators, nurse administrators rarely take on direct patient care.

Information on this page was updated in June 2021.

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