About the Master’s in Nursing Education (MSN)

Some people reach a point in their careers when they realize they’ve accumulated a great deal of knowledge, and even if they are being appropriately recognized for their skill and expertise, it’s just not enough. They feel compelled to share what they’ve learned with others.

When nurses reach this point, they sometimes head back to school to earn a master’s degree in nursing. By selecting a program that offers a concentration in nursing education, they can develop the skills they need to teach others.

What’s It Like to be a Nurse Educator?

Nurse educators work in a wide variety of settings, training nurses within health systems, teaching at the university level, and educating patients. Within the healthcare system, nurse educators typically:

  • Participate in the attainment of departmental goals, based on important aspects of care such as nursing staff education and competency, nursing orientation, and preceptor development
  • Are involved in professional practice development, support of professional nursing in the community, patient and family education and community wellness
  • Plan and implement a variety of educational programs based on the clinical staff's identified learning needs, competency deficiencies, and performance improvement findings
  • Incorporate patient safety goals into educational programs
  • Evaluate educational programs through formal and informal mechanisms and shares results with management
  • Recommend new courses or improvements based on feedback received

Nurse educators at the university level typically prepare lessons, plans, and materials for classes and programs. In addition to demonstrating skills and techniques, they must also develop criteria for assessment and grade homework and projects.

What Kind of Work Setting Can I Expect?

There are a variety of opportunities for people who earn a Master of Science degree in Nursing with a Concentration in Nursing Education. Potential employment settings include:

  • Community health agency
  • University, community or technical college
  • Home health care agency
  • Hospital
  • Long-term care facility

Common job titles include:

  • Chief nursing officer
  • Clinical research consultant
  • Program manager
  • Director of wellness program
  • Nurse clinician
  • Nurse educator
  • Patient educator
  • Patient safety director
  • Director of staff development
  • Nursing faculty member

Am I a Good Fit for a MSN in Nursing Education?

Fortunately, many of the same personality traits found in great nurses are also present among great teachers. It begins with desire, which is very important since educators often work long hours planning lessons, reviewing curriculum, and evaluating student performance. In a nutshell, successful educators are:

  • Organized
  • Patient
  • Good communicators
  • Attentive to detail
  • Good at demonstrating medical techniques

Why Become a Nurse Educator?

Become a nurse educator and you could play a vital role in solving a major healthcare problem. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the United States is projected to experience a shortage of nurses which is expected to intensify as Baby Boomers age and their need for health care resources grows.

Are You Ready?

As a nurse, you touch many lives. As a nurse educator, you touch not only the lives of your students, but also those of every person they care for. If you’re ready to assume the role of educator, learn more about the Master of Science in Nursing program today!