Help Wanted: Nurse Educators

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Behind every nurse is a nurse educator. A nurse educator provides instructive and practical information to nursing students, as well as to faculty and administrators who attend nursing schools. Nurse educators focus primarily on teaching nursing theories and practices, and also designing, revising and evaluating nursing academic programs.

Education

Many nurse educators have a specialty background and teach specific coursework, but a basic knowledge of the field is taught in all disciplines of nursing.

To advance as a faculty member, nurse educators are encouraged to complete a post-masters certificate in education. Nurse educator degrees are accessible through education programs such as the University of Phoenix Nurse Educator program or Walden University.

Benefits

Many nurse educators benefit from the school-year schedule, working nine months out of the year, with summers off. But there are ample summer opportunities available as well to teach and work.

Salaries are largely dependant on level of education, rank, and demand for nurses.

According to an ADVANCE for Nurse Practioners survey, nurse practioners who spent most of their time teaching earned $68,624 — 16% less than the average NP salary and 28% less than the average emergency department nurse practitioner. (Nurse practioners usually have advanced degrees and have training in management and diagnosis of complex and common medical conditions.) However, over the long term salaries for nurse educators with doctoral degrees can reach six figures.

Outlook

Due to the growing shortage of qualified nurses and increasing interest in nursing careers, there is a strong demand for nurse educators. This demand is fueling action by many governments and schools to offer financial aid, such as loan repayments, to those who commit to teaching after they earn advanced degrees.

Nurse educators can benefit now from high job security, and the opportunity to act both as educators and providers of care.

Find schools offering nurse educator degrees.