Nurse Educator

Nurse educators teach and prepare nurses who are continuing their education in graduate programs for entry into specific nursing fields. Acting as instructors, nurse educators can teach a number of subjects, including research methods, administration tactics, and even training other nurses to become nurse educators themselves. They can teach in either a classroom or practice setting, depending on the material being taught. Other responsibilities include designing the class curricula, engaging in outside research, and participating in professional nursing associations. Educators are an integral part of the nursing community, just as how teachers play an important role in the intellectual development of children and adults alike. They operate as role models and offer guidance to other nurses, and impart valuable knowledge that allows these other nurses to pursue specialized sectors of the nursing industry.

Nursing educators are in high demand. In 2002, a study indicated that there was a 12 percent shortfall in the number of nursing educators needed, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Already unfilled positions, coupled with projected retirements and resignations, only increase the need for new quality nurse educators.

Nurses who teach at the licensed practical nurse (LPN) level only need an Associate’s degree in most cases to become an educator. However, to teach registered nurses (RN) at a Bachelor’s degree level or higher requires a minimum of a Master’s degree in health care management or a Master’s in healthcare administration. This is because the topics covered by nurse educators at the Bachelor’s level is more complex and intricate than those covered at the LPN level, therefore the nurse educator must also have a higher level of education in order to teach those subjects. Many nurse educators only teach part-time, choosing to actively work in healthcare facilities in addition to teaching. This allows for them to be up-to-date in practice as well as in teaching, which many educators find rewarding. Registered nurses looking to advance their careers should consider enrolling in a MHA program.
Medical and health service managerial positions, including nurse educators, are expected to see a 16 percent growth in employment opportunities by 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Overall, the job prospects for nurse educators are positive for those devoted to continuing the education of novice nurses.