Nurse educators combine their passion for teaching with their specialized nursing knowledge. They work in both the classroom and in the clinical setting, directly teaching the information and skills necessary for a successful nursing career. In the past, nurse educators simply had a great deal of clinical experience, some basic education coursework and a passion for teaching others. Recently however, schools have developed specialized degrees giving nurses a more involved teaching education.
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Educators can work in all facets of the educational system; some work in hospitals creating staff programs, other work in colleges teaching nursing students and others develop NCLEX exam questions and the specific curricula that all nursing programs must follow.
One of the main benefits of becoming a nurse educator is the flexibility of your schedule. While it is possible to pursue a tenured position in a University nursing program, some educators also choose to teach only a few classes or freelance with textbook publishers or test preparation companies. Nurses who work as college educators will likely have summers, holidays and most weekends off, all of which may facilitate a good work-life balance.
Nurse educators prepare students for their nursing career by designing, implementing and evaluating curricula. They assist students in developing their clinical skills and ensure that they have a solid understanding of the requisite coursework. Working as a nurse educator requires that the nurse is constantly assessing her students and evaluating their progress. Flexibility is a must, simply because lesson plans often need adjustment, depending on the needs and learning style of their students.
While it’s recommended that nurses have a few years of clinical experience before beginning to teach, there are programs that will allow a nurse to move seamlessly from an undergraduate degree into a graduate program.
Graduate education is preferred, and in many cases required, to be a nurse educator. Some employers may consider hiring a nurse who is enrolled and actively pursuing their advanced degree, though that is at the discretion of the hiring manager. Higher-level careers, such as the Dean of Nursing or a Professor at a college, will require a doctorate degree for consideration.
