Becoming a Nurse Educator....

[TSBSNRN]

I have been interested in becoming a Nurse Educator in the future. For those of you who are Nursing Educators, or are currently in programs, what advice can you offer one who is considering this in the next 3-5 years.

I was also wondering if it was better to get a Nursing Educator (MSN) Degree, or go with something like a FNP. What MSN degree would offer a better chance of preparing one for educating our future nurses. I really want to help with the low percentage of nurses who are qualified to help educate future generations of nurses.

Thanks for all your help, advice, and guidance!

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

If you are interested in being an educator and not an NP, go for the MSN in education degree. It will teach you how to teach- sure, NPs have the degree that qualifies them to teach, but did they have any of the education on how to be an educator? Most likely not, unless they've done a post masters certificate.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Hi there! It's always exiting to come across a new nurse who wants to join our educator tribe. First of all, what type of education environment are you aiming for - academia or workplace? The educational pathways are basically the same, but the scope of responsibilities and skill set are a bit different.

Education is an entirely different discipline than nursing... duh, right? An MSN-Education is the only degree that will provide you with entry-level skills & knowledge for a career as a nurse educator. In my organization, a BSN is required for "instructor" positions - who are responsible for teaching within their own area of clinical expertise. However, the "educator" role includes competencies such as curriculum and instructional design, performance intervention, assessment & test construction, etc, that are only achieved with graduate education - so an MSN-Edu is required. We - workplace educators - have very interesting and challenging jobs. Our salaries are commensurate with other 'management' level roles. In fact, our educator salaries are significantly higher than their similarly qualified academic colleagues.

Many of our educators (like me) also have doctorates, but they often are not in nursing because nursing doctorates are not as relevant to our education-focused practice. If you do decide to go the non-academic route, it will be important to gain gradually increasing levels of responsibility in education because this is absolutely necessary for career advancement. Most of us began as unit-based instructors and CPR instructors.

[TSBSNRN]

Thank you for your advice!

[TSBSNRN]

I want to teach in academia. I want to teach those who wish to enter our mamboing profession. I have worked in a few different areas as a nurse, but I have known, since nursing school, that I eventually wanted to become a Nursing Teacher, or Professor. I do want to thank you for sharing the information about being a unit-based instructor and CPR instructor. I would be happy to do either workplace or academia, but right now, I am leaning more towards academia. I do know, however, that, that could change. I went into nursing school thinking I wanted to do PEDS or L&D and once I got into school, that was the one thing I learned that I did NOT want to do. But I will look into both in the mean time. I appreciate all of your advice and guidance. I am holding off on starting back to school when my little one starts school, so I have some time yet. I just starting the "planning" process. Looking at programs, schools, degree types, etc. So thanks again!