What Can You Do with an MSN in Nursing Education?

Guide the Next Generation of Nurses

Did you know that the American Association of Colleges of Nursing recently reported a concerning shortage of nurses in our society? Despite an increasing number of people interested in pursuing a career in nursing, nursing schools are turning away thousands of applicants due to staffing shortages. This issue is only worsened by the lack of faculty and clinical placements, as well as preceptors to supervise students during rotations.

So, to ensure the next generation of nurses receives the education and training they need to provide high-quality care, we need experienced nurse educators more than ever. This is why universities across the nation are investing in the recruitment and support of these vital nurse educators. By doing so, we can ensure that our healthcare system continues to meet the needs of our communities.

What Is a Nurse Educator?

Nurse educators play a crucial role in shaping the future of nursing professionals. After all, these highly qualified individuals hold master’s degrees and work in academic and clinical settings, such as colleges, universities, hospital-based schools of nursing, and technical colleges. They create curricula, teach, evaluate programs, oversee rotations, and conduct research.

Effective nurse educators assume multiple roles, using their expertise to cultivate a well-rounded generation of nursing professionals who are ready to tackle the challenges of the healthcare industry.

How to Become a Nurse Educator

To become a nurse educator, you must first earn your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), which is the minimum educational requirement. To gain acceptance into an MSN program, you’ll need:

• a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree
• an active and unrestricted RN license
• a minimum of one year of RN experience

Where Do Nurse Educators Work?

When we think about educators, we often associate them with schools or classrooms. However, nurse educators can work in many different settings, including:

• universities
• community colleges
• technical schools
• trade or vocational schools
• hospitals
• long-term care facilities

Nurse Educator Career Outlook 

The need for nurse educators in the U.S. has never been greater. With a shortage of instructors, many prospective nursing students are being turned away, and by 2030, seven states will experience a shortage of registered nurses, while 33 states will face a shortage of licensed practical/vocational nurses, according to U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration.

This shortage is fueled by the aging of the American population and the ongoing lack of qualified nurses. However, this crisis presents an opportunity for the nurse education field to grow and thrive.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 22% increase in the employment rate for nurse instructors by 2030, indicating a strong future for those interested in pursuing this career path. Additionally, nurse educators enjoy a median annual wage of $78,580, making this a financially rewarding profession—meaning that by becoming a nurse educator, you can help bridge the gap in the nursing shortage while enjoying a fulfilling and lucrative career.

Shape the Future of Nursing Through the University of Cincinnati

Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system. This is why it is crucial to have skilled nurse educators who can enhance the nursing workforce, guide aspiring nurses, and implement evidence-based practice. UC offers a nationally recognized MSN in Nursing Education, which is delivered in a fully online, flexible format to cater to the needs of busy working nurses.

Graduates of this program are well-equipped to design nursing curricula, employ effective evaluation strategies, evaluate program outcomes, integrate new technology into teaching, and implement online simulations. By joining the MSN in Nursing Education program offered online through the University of Cincinnati, you’ll shape the future of nursing and become a leader in the healthcare industry.

Browse our online program or connect with a UC Online advisor today if you’re interested in becoming a nurse educator.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is an MSN in Nursing Education?

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is a graduate degree that provides nurses with the opportunity to advance their knowledge and expertise in their chosen healthcare field.

One such specialization is the nurse educator program, which is specifically designed to train nurses on how to teach nursing courses at universities, colleges, and healthcare institutions. The program is structured to enhance the skills and knowledge of nurses, enabling them to excel in their roles as instructors. Pursuing an MSN degree not only demonstrates dedication to the nursing profession, but also opens doors to career advancement, higher salaries, and greater job satisfaction.

Is an MSN in nursing education worth it?

Nursing is a demanding profession, and the need for well-trained nurses has never been greater. If you’re a nurse educator, there are countless opportunities available to you. From part-time clinical faculty to dean of a college of nursing, the path to success is wide open. With experience and dedication, you can even advance to management positions, develop continuing education programs, or even write textbooks. Additionally, with the rise of accredited online nursing programs, there are more remote teaching jobs available than ever before.

What do nurse educators do?

Nurse educators play a crucial role in shaping the future of nursing by imparting essential clinical skills, patient care techniques, and collaboration practices to aspiring nursing professionals, but it goes beyond just teaching.

• Educational Instruction: Lecture, create and manage curriculum, and evaluate educational programs.
• Clinical Guidance: Provide hands-on clinical guidance in healthcare settings, helping students apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios.
• Professional Development: Support continuing education and professional development, ensuring that nurses remain up-to-date in their field.
• Research: Perform academic and clinical research, contributing to advancements in nursing science and practice.
• Leadership and Administration: Take on leadership roles within their educational institutions, such as managing nursing programs, developing educational policies, and coordinating with other healthcare professionals.

With their knowledge and expertise, nurse educators are invaluable to the nursing profession and are essential in producing competent and compassionate nurses.

What can you teach with a master’s in nursing education?

With a Master’s in Nursing Education, you can teach a wide range of subjects related to nursing and healthcare, depending on your areas of expertise and interest.

• Fundamental Nursing Skills: Basic nursing skills such as patient care, vital signs monitoring, administering medications, and patient assessment.
• Specialized Clinical Practices: Depending on your background, you could teach in specialized areas like pediatric nursing, geriatric nursing, emergency nursing, or oncology nursing.
• Health Assessment: Teaching students how to perform comprehensive health assessments, including physical examinations and patient history taking.
• Nursing Theory and Research: Covering theories that guide nursing practice and how to conduct and analyze nursing research.
• Public Health and Community Nursing: Education on how nursing interacts with public health issues, community health practices, and managing health programs.
• Ethics and Legal Issues in Nursing: Teaching about the ethical and legal considerations in nursing practice.
• Patient Education and Communication: How to effectively communicate with patients and educate them about their health conditions, treatments, and overall wellness.
• Advanced Practice Nursing: For those with additional qualifications, teaching about roles like Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, or Nurse Anesthetist.
• Technology in Nursing: Utilizing and integrating technology in healthcare, such as electronic health records, telehealth, and other nursing informatics topics.

The more education you acquire, the more qualified you become for higher levels of responsibility, and the greater impact you can make on the nursing profession.