Certified Nurse Educator

The role of a nurse educator encompasses the development, implementation and evaluation of curricula in collegiate nursing education programs and clinical environments to ensure society’s access to safe, effective and state-of-the art nursing care.

Nurse educators are master’s-degree prepared nurses who:

implement teaching strategies that integrate educational theory, research and evidence-based practice
demonstrate expertise in the use of information technology that supports teaching-learning processes
utilize oral, written and electronic communication skills in a variety of settings where educational programs are delivered
recognize the influence of teaching styles, learning styles and attributes of learners on attainment of educational outcomes
utilize knowledge of social, political, economic, ethical and legal forces influencing nursing education
demonstrate expertise in the design and utilization of tools for evaluating learning
strategize with colleagues to identify and address needs and issues related to nursing education
integrate components of the faculty role including teaching, scholarship and service to the institution, community and profession

Curriculum (37 credits)

Core Courses (15 credits): Knowledge development in nursing, nursing research, pathophysiology and advanced physical assessment

Nurse Educator Courses (22 credits): Learning theories, curriculum design, teaching strategies, roles of the nurse educator and topics in higher education

Special Opportunities

Students:

are eligible to sit for certification as a nurse educator by the National League

For Nursing upon graduation

are prepared for doctoral education in nursing
participate in selecting and planning experiences in a clinical area of

interest during the clinical seminar course

may choose to focus on preparing for a career as a nurse educator in a

school of nursing or as a clinical educator in staff development in a practice

environment

Career Opportunities

Graduate nursing students selecting the nurse educator track within the Master of Science in Nursing program are ideally positioned for career opportunities following degree completion. Currently, there is a critical shortage of nurse educators. It is projected that this shortage will become more acute in the coming decades when a wave of retirements of both registered nurses and nurse educators is anticipated.

Nursing education programs in the United States have been forced to turn away more than 40,000 qualified applicants because of an insufficient number of faculty. According to the American Academy of Colleges of Nursing, graduate nursing programs are not producing a sufficient number of nurse educators to meet demands. Vacancy rates in schools of nursing are approaching eight percent. The repercussions of the shortage have the potential to adversely affect the nation’s health due to an inadequate number of graduates from basic nursing education programs. The greatest impact of the shortage of nurses and nurse educators is its negative effects on the quality of patient care.

Opportunities in nursing staff development are also increasing as health systems strive to secure and maintain magnet status. In addition, as state boards of nursing mandate continuing education for license renewal, employment opportunities in continuing education for nurses are anticipated to increase.