For every nurse that is ready to provide exceptional care, there is a nurse educator who taught them all of the fundamentals. The demand for these nurse educators is expected to grow 22% by 2030, largely due to our increasingly aging population and a shortage of nursing professionals.1 To help prepare the next generation, nurse educators equip new nurses with the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of patients and health care systems.
You can find a nurse educator program in almost any city in the country, but it can be difficult to attend classes when you're working full time. Online nurse educator programs provide flexibility so students can balance their studies with professional and personal commitments. By providing access to education for nurses regardless of their geographic location, online programs expand the pool of potential educators. They also incorporate innovative teaching methods and technologies, which can make education more accessible and engaging.2
This article will explore how online nurse educator programs prepare nurses to take leading roles in education and training.
Benefits of Online Nurse Educator Programs
Online nurse educator programs are often tailored to the needs of working nurses who want to advance their careers. Balancing a career with higher education is much more manageable through online programs because they allow nurses to schedule their studies around their demanding work hours. This way, they can continue gaining valuable clinical experience while pursuing further education. This flexibility lets nurses maintain their employment—a significant consideration given the current nursing shortage and the personal financial implications of taking a career break.3
Because online courses are available from anywhere at any time, nurses can engage with course materials, participate in discussions, and complete assignments from any location, as long as they have internet access. This eliminates the need for lengthy commutes or relocation to be near a campus. Thus, advanced degrees are more attainable for nurses living in remote areas, or those with other commitments.2 This balance contributes to the development of well-rounded, experienced nurse educators who are prepared to lead the next generation of nurses and understand the challenges they face.
Nurse Educator Role Overview
Nursing instructors are active in many areas of nursing education. For example, they may engage in traditional teaching at the post-secondary school level. They also design curricula, evaluate educational programs, mentor students, and conduct research. To ensure their teaching reflects current best practices, nurse educators stay informed on the latest health care trends and innovations. Most importantly, they play a significant role in preparing competent nurses to deliver high-quality patient care.4
Because nurse educators are instrumental in developing a resilient nursing workforce, they have a profound impact on the healthcare industry. Their guidance helps mold students into professionals who can think critically, adapt to challenges, and contribute to improving health care outcomes.2
Types of Nurse Educator Programs
Nursing education programs prepare registered nurses for roles in academic and clinical education settings. The most popular types are the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a focus on nurse educator tracks, and a post-graduate certificate in nurse education.4
MSN Nurse Educator Tracks
An MSN program with a concentration in nursing education provides the advanced clinical skills, educational theories, and teaching methodologies necessary to train student nurses. These programs teach curriculum development, educational technology, assessment strategies, and leadership in nursing education. Upon graduation, MSN nursing education students are well-prepared to teach in nursing programs at various levels and to lead educational initiatives within health care organizations.4
The online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program at Oklahoma City University is a great example of a comprehensive graduate program that offers a specialization for a nursing career in education. For a total of 33 credit hours, the MSN nurse educator program will prepare nurses to teach in post-secondary nursing programs, including schools of practical nursing, associate degree programs, and baccalaureate programs.
Post-Master’s Certificates in Nurse Education
Post-graduate certificates also offer a pathway to specialize in educational roles without pursuing another full-fledged degree. These certificate programs build on your master's degree learning and focus on pedagogy, nursing education curricula design, and evaluation. They let experienced nurses transition into academic or clinical educator positions, which are typically more rigorous.4
Accreditation and Quality Assurance
When you're searching for a nurse educator program, look for key accreditation titles. Accreditation guarantees that educational programs meet rigorous standards set by accrediting bodies. These organizations, including the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), evaluate programs against established benchmarks.
Accreditation validates the program’s credibility, influences eligibility for federal financial aid, and is often a prerequisite for certification and employment. Through accreditation, online nurse educator programs demonstrate their commitment to maintaining high educational standards, thereby preparing graduates effectively for their future roles in health care education.5
Admission Requirements
Prerequisites for nursing educator programs differ based on the program you are pursuing. For MSN programs, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is typically required. For post-master’s certificates, you will likely need an MSN with a minimum GPA, often around 3.0.
Applicants for nursing education programs must also hold an active, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license, which proves they have valid legal and professional standing in the nursing community.
The application process involves submitting transcripts, a resume or CV, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and sometimes a professional portfolio. Deadlines are program-specific, with many schools offering multiple start dates throughout the year to accommodate working professionals.
Career Opportunities as a Nurse Educator
Career opportunities for nurse educators include academic, clinical, and professional development arenas. Let's take a closer look at each of these subsets.
Academic Nursing Roles
In academic settings, nurse educators serve as faculty members in nursing schools and universities. They teach courses, supervise clinical practice, and conduct research. In these roles, nurse educators contribute to the advancement of health care through education and research. Academic positions might range from lecturer to professor, with opportunities for tenure and leadership positions within educational institutions.6
Clinical Education in Health Care Settings
In health care settings, nurse educators design and deliver training programs for nursing staff. They make sure clinical teams are proficient in the latest health care technologies, procedures, and best practices, which contributes to patient care quality and safety. Clinical educators often work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community health organizations. They bridge the gap between clinical practice and academic learning and serve as mentors to staff nurses.6
Professional Development and Training Roles
Nurse educators can also find rewarding careers in professional development and training roles within health care organizations, professional nursing associations, and private companies. They develop continuing education programs, workshops, and seminars to improve the skills and knowledge of practicing nurses. These roles contribute to nurses’ career development and the overall improvement of health care services.6
Licensure and Certification for Nurse Educators
Nursing, in all of its forms, is a highly regulated industry. All nurse educators must hold an active RN license, which they obtain by completing an accredited nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN examination.7
The Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) examination, offered by the National League for Nursing (NLN), is a well-known certification for nurse educators. Eligibility for the Certified Nurse Educator exam includes having a valid RN license, a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing, and specific roles and teaching experience in nursing education.7
Elevate Your Career in Nursing
Oklahoma City University’s Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a specialization in Nursing Education opens doors to a rewarding and impactful career. Designed for dedicated nurses who want to make a difference in health care, our program equips you with the expertise to excel as an educator in many settings—from academic institutions to health care systems.
Contact an admissions outreach advisor today to get started.
- Retrieved on March 12, 2024, from learn.org/articles/Nurse_Educator_Jobs_Your_Career_and_Salary_Questions_Answered.html
- Retrieved on March 12, 2024, from journals.lww.com/nurseeducatoronline/fulltext/2023/09000/benefits_of_an_online_interactive_educational.11.aspx
- Retrieved on March 12, 2024, from aacnnursing.org/news-data/fact-sheets/nursing-shortage
- Retrieved on March 12, 2024, from nursesource.org/nurse_educator.html
- Retrieved on March 12, 2024, from myamericannurse.com/approval-and-accreditation-of-nursing-education-programs/
- Retrieved on March 12, 2024, from www.myamericannurse.com/career-options-nurse-educators/
- Retrieved on March 12, 2024, from nln.org/awards-recognition/certification-for-nurse-educators-overview
