Nurse Educator Salary in Middle/East Tennessee

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Specializes in Critical Care, Cardiac Step-down.

Hi everyone!

Long time lurker, finally making a post.

I had a question for any nurse educators (whether hospital or academic) located in Tennessee. I currently live and work as an ICU nurse in east TN. The pay here for a nurse is really pitiful. I'm only making 2 dollars more an hour now than when I started as a new grad, with 4 years of experience. The only thing that helps me at all is working nights, and that's barely. Safe to say I don't plan on working nights forever though. I have my BSN and am currently in WGU's MSN-education program. I'm planning on graduating by the end of next year or 2022 at the latest.

A lot of posts I've read here have stated that a salary as a nurse educator is not the best, but I'm curious what the salaries are here specifically. I'm thinking about moving to the Nashville area after I graduate, so I'm very interested in that area. I'm still undecided whether to stay in the hospital or try a university/CC as I enjoy both. So any help at all would be appreciated. Thanks!

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Specializes in Occupational Health.

A lot of community colleges have their salary schedules posted for review. Check out the CC websites.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Cardiac Step-down.
2 hours ago, sleepwalker said:

A lot of community colleges have their salary schedules posted for review. Check out the CC websites.

Thank you for letting me know that info! I took a look and comparing my salary now as an ICU nurse, getting my masters and working in academia would result in a pretty significant pay increase. I know thats unusual (from threads I've read on here) but I think Tennessee just pays their nurses much lower than other states. Thanks again!

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Specializes in Gerontology, Education.

I teach in a technical school (for profit) in an LPN program. I was surprised the salaries are better than non-profit state schools. You might want to check that out in your state too.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Cardiac Step-down.
12 hours ago, jeanbeth said:

I teach in a technical school (for profit) in an LPN program. I was surprised the salaries are better than non-profit state schools. You might want to check that out in your state too.

Thanks, I will!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Agree about TN pay being low. I am in Chattanooga and grateful that I brought my work-from-home job with me when I moved! The local hospital could never afford me, haha. 

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Specializes in Critical Care, Cardiac Step-down.
On 11/24/2020 at 9:11 PM, Pixie.RN said:

Agree about TN pay being low. I am in Chattanooga and grateful that I brought my work-from-home job with me when I moved! The local hospital could never afford me, haha. 

I don't doubt it! I worked in memphis previously and took a pay cut to come to this side of TN. I was very surprised at the price. The work environment is so much better though, so I guess I can't complain too much. But like my post said, I can't do nightshift forever and I'm looking toward the future. Thanks!

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