Am I Ready to Become a Nurse Educator?
Have you ever wondered how nurses learn everything they know? Nursing is a complicated, essential job, and it goes without saying that without good teachers, we wouldn't have good nurses. That's why nurse educators are just as important as nurses. But how do you know if being a nurse educator is the right position for you?
What does a nurse educator do?
A nurse educator teaches, mentors, and prepares nursing students for a career in nursing. They combine their knowledge of the nursing profession with a passion for teaching and help train the nurses of the future. Nurse educators are as good at nursing as they are at teaching. They work with students at every level of nursing school, from recent high school graduates pursuing their nursing degrees, to practicing nurses pursuing doctorates in order to expand their knowledge and opportunities.
What can I expect from a nurse educator job?
A nurse educator will typically be faculty at a college or university, with the potential for benefits that such a position can provide. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurse educators earn a mean annual wage of $73,150. The number of nursing jobs is going to rising rapidly in the next decade; the BLS projects a growth rate of 31% by 2024, much faster than the average profession. With such a high demand for nursing jobs, there will be no shortage of prospective nurses who will need good nurse educators to teach them. For the next decade, there will very likely be a significant demand for nurse educators to meet the surge in the number of nurses.
What is the day in the life of a nurse educator like?
A nurse educator's job resemble both that of a regular nurse and that of a professor. On one hand, nursing is a job that requires hands on training and experience, and evaluating and overseeing your students' clinical and lab work is an essential part of the job. On the other hand, you will also plan courses and curricula, give lectures, and act as a mentor for students. Depending on where you work and the courses you teach, your work may involve more lab work, more teaching, or more research.
What sort of education and training do I need to become a nurse educator?
In order to teach prospective nurses, you will need an advanced degree in nursing yourself; either a Master's in Nursing or a Doctorate in Nursing will get you on your way. Regardless, you must be a registered nurse in order to pursue a career as a nurse educator.
What sort of person makes a good nurse educator?
Nurse educators need the empathy and physical skills of a nurse and the leadership qualities of a professor. Nursing is already a job that requires excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to provide comfort and hope to people struggling with illness or injury. If you can combine that with a love for teaching others your profession, then being a nurse educator might be the right career choice for you!
Nurse educators are more needed than ever before. More and more people are choosing to become nurses, but without nurse educators, many who want to follow this path, will be turned away from nursing schools, even if they are qualified.
Nurse education has never been more important.
Are you excited about the prospect of being a nurse educator? If you'd like more information about earning a Master of Science in Nursing, feel free to contact an ECPI University admissions advisor today to discuss your options.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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Gainful Employment Information – Master of Science in Nursing
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