Nurse Educator
Job Description
These are nurses that go into education. A good deal of the instruction given to nurses in training is provided by nurse educators.
Nursing experience and advanced training make these teachers ideal for teaching those just entering the nursing profession.
Responsibilities
Nurse educators are a vital part of the medical community and are responsible not only for classroom training, but also formulate lesson plans, guide their students through clinical work, and evaluate existing nursing programs.
In addition to generalized nursing courses, nurse educators will also teach nursing specializations such as pediatrics, oncology, or geriatrics.
Many nurse educators expand their careers to include administrative work, and can also assist in textbook composition and the development of continuing education courses for nurses who are already working.
One of the careers most in demand in the United States, nurse educators are needed now, and in the future, for training the next generations of nurses.
The nursing shortage has been exacerbated by a lack of qualified nurse educators; a problem that is being addressed by various public and private organizations, including the Nurses for a Healthier Tomorrow Coalition.
These organizations help prospective nurse educators advance their education and help provide funding for their education.
Skills
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Mental Endurance |
Must be able to handle pressure and the demanding work and long hours that comes with their job title. |
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Stress Management |
They must manage the stress and pressure that comes with their job. |
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Empathy |
Being able to relate to people on an emotional level because they are nurses first, and understand what they go through is super important for nurses because they are a primary contact for patients. |
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Organization |
Must be able to situate tasks and documents and multitask because teaching takes a ton of organization. |
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Communication |
Must be able to pass on skills and effectively communicate so people can go on to become Nurses and be good at their job. It's one of the most important skills. |
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Patience |
Becoming a nurse and advancing in the field takes time, especially if you want to be an educator at a college level after you become a nurse, so it's important to take it slow and easy and save yourself a ton of anxiety. |
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Detail Oriented |
The have a ton of tasks they must perform, so they have to pay attention to every detail involved in their work. |
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Critical Thinking |
Must constantly be devising new ways of interacting with people, adapt to changes, and learn about the things a medical professional needs to know. |
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Teaching |
You must be able to teach and show others how to do what you know how to do. Your commitment becoming a nurse educator means you take on the responsibility to teach others how to be effective nurses. |
Working Conditions
Nurse educators teach in a range of settings from the clinical, such as hospitals and clinics, to technical schools, nursing schools, and community colleges.
Unlike clinical nurses, nurse educators do not work night shifts, and most of the educator’s time will be spent in the classroom. Supplemental instruction will be provided in hospitals, clinics, or laboratories.
Depending upon the teaching situation, nurse educators can work as little as nine months or the entire year.
This is a personally rewarding career as the nurse educator is able to see the progress students make as they progress through their studies.
In addition to their teaching duties, nurse educators often conduct research on different aspects of patient care and publish their findings in professional journals.
Besides being a career that provides a high level of personal satisfaction, nurse educators also enjoy a salary commensurate with their experience, both clinically and in the classroom.
Those educators who work during the nine month academic year are often able to teach over the summer as well.
While it is true that the compensation for nurse educators can be somewhat less than that for clinical nurses, the wage gap is being closed as educational institutions bring teaching salaries more in line with clinical salaries.
Salary Outlook
| Estimated Annual Salary | Average Hourly Wage | Positions Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| $78,242.00 | $37.62 | 210,000 |