[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Nurse Educator Career in Brief[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurse educators provide education and training for nurses at all levels, including students in their first year of nursing school all the way to experienced nurses seeking professional development. They combine clinical expertise and experience to serve as guides and mentors to other providers.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurse educators are experts in evidence-based practices and committed to continuous research, staying up-to-date on the latest ideas and developments in healthcare and the practice of nursing. They are leaders who direct teams, provide guidance, and exemplify best practices in nursing.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Where Do Nurse Educators Work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]When you hear the word “educator,” you automatically think of a school or classroom setting, but colleges and universities are just one place where nurse educators work. Educators can be found in nearly every healthcare setting. Hospitals, psychiatric and rehabilitation facilities, public health centers, and hospice care are also common work settings for nurse educators.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Although there are many opportunities for nurse educators, here are some specific responsibilities you might have in more common settings.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Medical Center/Hospital[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurse educators staff professional development, mentor nurses, participate in peer review committees, manage grant proposals, and advise leadership and staff. In acute care, they may collaborate with quality improvement departments to ensure the highest quality of care.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]College/University[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurse educators lecture, act as a clinical supervisor, develop curriculum, serve on committees, and advise students.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Businesses[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurse educators coach wellness and health seminars, lead CPR, first aid, and similar programs, and instruct continuing education and professional development classes.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why Become a Nurse Educator?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Becoming a nurse educator is not right for everyone. Although many people thrive in roles providing education and training for new nurses, others would rather provide bedside care. As you explore your options, consider the following pros and cons and whether it is the right choice for you.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Become a Nurse Educator[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Do Nurse Educators Make?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurse educators earn higher-than-average salaries; those working in major metropolitan medical centers and hospitals are the highest paid with average annual salaries of $119,050. The Miami-Ft. Lauderdale metro region is the top-paying metro area for nurse educators with average salaries more than $20,000 higher than the next highest-paying area in Boston-Cambridge-Nashua.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Colleges and universities, including junior or community colleges, are the lowest paying employers for nurse educators. Nurses teaching at junior colleges earn an average of $75,190 annually, whereas colleges and universities pay slightly better with an average [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/nurse-educator/salary/”]salary[/hen-ui-link] of $84,320. Note that these salary figures are for full-time employment; many nurse educators work part time as instructors or adjunct faculty and are paid per course or per credit.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption][hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/best-rn-programs-by-state/”]Top Paying States for Nurse[/hen-ui-link] Educators[/hen-ui-table-caption][hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Top-Paying States[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Average Salary[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Total Number of Nurse Educators[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Florida[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top-Paying States”]$116,650[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]3,980[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]District of Columbia[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top-Paying States”]$111,940[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]130[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Massachusetts[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top-Paying States”]$106,950[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]2,300[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/california/”]California[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top-Paying States”]$106,420[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]3,510[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/new-york/”]New York[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top-Paying States”]$98,850[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]5,100[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]Top Paying Metropolitan Areas for Nurse Educators[/hen-ui-table-caption][hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Top-Paying States[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Average Salary[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Total Number of Nurse Educators[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, Florida[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top-Paying States”]$145,990[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]2,140[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, Massachusetts-New Hampshire[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top-Paying States”]$120,040[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]1,470[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Savannah, Georgia[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top-Paying States”]$117,610[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]60[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, California[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top-Paying States”]$112,400[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]1,630[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]San Diego-Carlsbad, California[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Top-Paying States”]$111,970[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Average Salary”]260[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]Top Paying Industries for Nurse Educators[/hen-ui-table-caption][hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Industry[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Average Salary[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]General Medical and Surgical Hospitals[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Industry”]$119,050[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Industry”]$95,430[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Business Schools and Computer and Management Training[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Industry”]$90,080[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Industry”]$84,320[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Junior Colleges[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Industry”]$75,190[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How long does it take to become a nurse educator?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The time required to become a nurse educator varies depending on your current degree. Nurse educators must have an MSN, which can be earned in as few as two years if you have a BSN. For RNs without a BSN, earning a master’s degree can take up to four years or longer.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Are nurse educators in demand?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports that [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-information/fact-sheets/nursing-faculty-shortage” target=”_blank”]nurse educators are in demand[/hen-ui-link] to the point where prospective nursing students are being turned away because there are not enough instructors. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a higher-than-average increase in demand as well; between 2019 and 2029, demand is projected to increase by 9% for all postsecondary educators.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Should nurse educators earn their DNP?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Although earning a DNP is not a current requirement for a nurse educator, the National League for Nursing supports [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.nln.org/docs/default-source/about/nln-vision-series-%28position-statements%29/nlnvision_6.pdf?sfvrsn=4″ target=”_blank”]doctoral preparation for nurse educators[/hen-ui-link]. The NLN argues that educators with a DNP are well positioned to advance nursing education and respond to the changing healthcare landscape and demands on nurses. Also, while a doctoral degree is not a requirement to teach at the undergraduate level, it is most often required to teach at the master’s level or above, and in many academic institutions, to become a tenured professor or an administrative leader within a nursing school.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How can I gain experience in nursing education?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses with the appropriate credentials, including an MSN and at least two years of clinical experience, can apply to teach as adjunct faculty in nursing programs, serve as guest lecturers, or lead clinical groups in a hospital setting. Many nurse educators begin their careers by teaching part time to determine whether it is a good fit before seeking certification and full-time employment. Check with your state’s Board of Nursing about nurse educator requirements, especially in the academic setting.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Resources for Nurse Educators[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”http://www.nln.org/” target=”_blank”] National League for Nursing[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] The NLN is the leading professional organization for nurse educators. They issue the CNE certification and provide a range of professional development opportunities, grants, and teaching resources. Anyone interested in supporting excellence in nursing education can join.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacnnursing.org/” target=”_blank”] American Association of Colleges of Nursing[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] AACN is a professional organization committed to excellence in nursing education. They establish quality standards for nursing instruction and support efforts to improve healthcare. Membership is limited to institutions; students at member schools have access to benefits including scholarships along with professional development and networking opportunities.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.sigmanursing.org/” target=”_blank”] Sigma Theta Tau[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] Sigma is an international honor society committed to the development of nurse leaders and improving healthcare worldwide. Membership is by invitation and extended to bachelors- and masters-level nursing students and nurse educators who demonstrate excellence in scholarship and nursing practice. Members enjoy professional education and development opportunities, networking, and access to grants.[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″] Professional Nurse Educator Group[/hen-ui-heading] PNEG is a virtual network of nurses dedicated to lifelong learning. Any nurse educator can join and participate in collaborative conversations to share ideas and foster community among nurse educators. The group also hosts an annual conference and recognizes individuals who represent excellence in the field.[/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Pages[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”34360,34148,34242,34240″][/hen-ui-article-row][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Reviewed by:[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”][hen-ui-expert-bio name=”Brandy Gleason, MSN, MHA, BC-NC” img-src=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/c_fill,g_face,h_200,w_200/c_scale,w_200/e_grayscale/v1617058506/experts/Brandy_Gleason.jpg” img-alt=”Brandy Gleason, MSN, MHA, BC-NC” layout=”horizontal” background=”white” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”]Brandy Gleason is a nursing professional with nearly twenty years of varied nursing experience. Gleason currently teaches as an assistant professor of nursing within a prelicensure nursing program and coaches graduate students. Her passion and area of research centers around coaching nurses and nursing students to build resilience and avoid burnout.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”]Gleason is a paid member of our Healthcare Review Partner Network. [hen-ui-link href=”/healthcare-review-partners//”]Learn more about our review partners[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex]