Masters in Nursing Education Online

Get matched to a Masters in Nursing Education Online for FREE!

Degree description image

Masters in Nursing Education Online

Healthcare is undeniably experiencing rapid growth, primarily due to increasing demands placed on the system. Consequently, clinics and hospitals nationwide face challenges keeping pace with the heightened need for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers. A nursing instructor degree program plays a vital role in training future nurses, aiming to prepare more students to enter the nursing profession and bridge this gap in healthcare.

Like any profession, nursing requires comprehensive training. While on-the-job learning is valuable, nurses and nurse practitioners must possess a solid grasp of the fundamentals in their field. Achieving these educational goals necessitates instructors who can ensure a thorough understanding.

Nurse instructors straddle the line between clinician and teacher within the healthcare realm. Proficiency in the field of nursing is crucial given their focused subject matter. However, their role as educators sets them apart from nurses engaged in direct patient care. For those intrigued by a healthcare career but not inclined toward a clinical environment, a career as a nurse instructor might be an excellent choice.

ARE ONLINE NURSING INSTRUCTOR PROGRAMS FOR YOU?

Here are a few things to keep in mind when you choose your online program.

Just like the name implies, nursing instructors must first and foremost be nurses. This means that the first steps to become an educator in this field are the same as those for one who wants to work in a clinical setting. You must go through the same process that RNs do. This requires a bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree in nursing, as well as to pass a state license exam.

Before you become an instructor, it’s not uncommon to work as an RN in a clinical environment. Like other academic professionals, you also must pursue higher education at the master’s or PhD level in education to be certified as teachers. As a result, you may choose to work in an academic setting, such as a school program teaching undergrad students.

Although you won’t practice often, it’s still advised that you keep up with new developments in the medical world as they pertain to new treatment methods, medicines and other procedures and policies that can affect patient outcomes. One of the more common work environments for a nursing instructor can be in a school or in a teaching hospital.

WHAT DO NURSING INSTRUCTOR DEGREE COURSES LOOK LIKE?

Some courses may include:

Teaching Strategies in Nursing: This course may cover how to teach nursing at all levels. You could learn how to use proven classroom methods and reach diverse learners.

Teaching Practicum: You could get the chance to try out the role of Nurse Educator in this course. In many cases, you’ll practice teaching with the guidance of an expert educator.

Course Development: In this course, you could learn how to create course plans that engage students. You may cover theories, methods, and how to teach in diverse settings.

Assessment and Evaluation: Learn how to test nursing students to find out if they are on track. This course may teach you the methods you need to evaluate learners.

NURSING INSTRUCTOR POSSIBLE CAREER PATHS AND POTENTIAL SALARIES

The dual nature of a nursing instructor degree means that grads are free to choose a career in either field. They may have flexibility in the extent to which they want to focus on medical professions rather than educational ones.

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES MANAGER

Medical and health services managers mentor aspiring nurses in various classes. Depending on the specific level of study, some opt to specialize in particular areas. While primarily employed in schools, nursing instructors also engage directly with practicing nurses and residents within hospital settings.

According to 2023 BLS data:

Median Salary: $110,680 per year

Job Growth Through 2033: 29% (Much faster than average)

Common Entry level Education: Master’s degree

NURSING INSTRUCTOR

Nursing instructors suit individuals interested in an administrative position. They operate within hospitals or clinics, overseeing daily operations such as budget management, patient scheduling, and staff-related matters. Alternatively, they may collaborate with insurance companies and other third-party entities. These professionals commonly collaborate with doctors and clinicians, acting as intermediaries between healthcare providers and insurance companies.

According to 2023 BLS data:

Median Salary: $86,070 per year

Job Growth Through 2033: 32% (Much faster than average)

Common Entry level Education: Bachelor’s degree

© Education Connection 2024. All Rights Reserved.

*https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d20/tables/dt20_311.15.asp

Sources for school statistics is the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics.

Disclosure: EducationDynamics receives compensation for the featured schools on our websites (see “Sponsored Schools” or “Sponsored Listings” or “Sponsored Results”).  So what does this mean for you? Compensation may impact where the Sponsored Schools appear on our websites, including whether they appear as a match through our education matching services tool, the order in which they appear in a listing, and/or their ranking.  Our websites do not provide, nor are they intended to provide, a comprehensive list of all schools (a) in the United States (b) located in a specific geographic area or (c) that offer a particular program of study.  By providing information or agreeing to be contacted by a Sponsored School, you are in no way obligated to apply to or enroll with the school.

This is an offer for educational opportunities, not an offer for nor a guarantee of employment. Students should consult with a representative from the school they select to learn more about career opportunities in that field. Program outcomes vary according to each institution’s specific program curriculum. Financial aid may be available to those who qualify. The financial aid information on this site is for informational and research purposes only and is not an assurance of financial aid.

1 You must apply for a new loan each school year. This approval percentage is based on students with a Sallie Mae undergraduate loan in the 2018/19 school year who were approved when they returned in 2019/20. It does not include the denied applications of students who were ultimately approved in 2019/20.

2 This promotional benefit is provided at no cost to borrowers with new loans that disburse between May 1, 2021 and April 30, 2022. Borrowers are not eligible to activate the benefit until July 1, 2021. Borrowers who reside in, attend school in, or borrow for a student attending school in Maine are not eligible for this benefit. Chegg Study® offers expert Q&A where students can submit up to 20 questions per month. No cash value. Terms and Conditions apply. Please visit http://www.chegg.com/legal/smtermsandconditions for complete details. This offer expires one year after issuance.