What They Do
A nursing instructor is responsible for providing educational leadership to both patients and other care providers. The main goal of a nursing instructor is to enhance the specialized patient care while respecting the established protocols of a clinical environment. Nursing instructors may work in the classroom, laboratory or clinical environments.
Like many educational positions, nursing instructors are required to have a certain amount of creativity. Problem-solving and resolution skills, as well as creating and directing development programs and patient care plans, are all part of a nursing instructor’s job description. Educating healthcare professionals and staff concerning new advancements and technology in the medical and healthcare fields is also a job duty.
Nursing instructors have the skills and knowledge needed to provide clinical education and evaluation skills to nursing staff and patient care professionals. They may also work closely with other medical professionals to perform specialty nursing services to patients.
This position requires both skill and knowledge concerning specialized fields of nursing. Having a practical knowledge of machinery and equipment, how to perform maintenance and how to care for tools in the clinical environment are all fundamental responsibilities of a nursing instructor. Instructors are also responsible for promoting improvements and safety in the workplace, as well as coordinating in-service training and workshops when appropriate.
Simply, a nursing instructor educates patients, other nurses, students and other healthcare practitioners concerning advancements in nursing. This may include teaching courses at a university or leading seminars or meetings at professional conventions.
Career Growth
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the field of postsecondary teachers will experience a 19 percent rate of growth by 2022. This is a faster than average pace compared to the average occupation. Nursing instructors and teachers, as well as health specialties teachers, are projected to grow at a much faster pace (by 36 percent) than even postsecondary educators in general. This is because of the increased demand for healthcare services brought on by the Affordable Care Act and the aging Baby Boomer population.
Salary Potential
Nursing instructors and health specialties teachers in general make about $81,140 a year as a median annual income. This is more than most postsecondary teachers. Nursing instructors are in the top 10 highest earners in the postsecondary teaching field.
Education Required
A nursing instructor must at least have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. However, many employers prefer nurses who have earned a Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in education. Graduate programs provide students with a deeper and more practical amount of knowledge. They require students to not only have an appropriate educational background but also professional experience in the nursing field.
A Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in education prepares registered nurses for nursing instructor positions by covering topics like:
- Curriculum development and implementation
- Foundations in nursing education
- Theoretical basis for nursing research and practice
Nursing graduate programs help nurses develop their specialized skills so that they can provide better levels of care and to advance their careers.
Online MSN programs allow working nurses to earn a degree while maintaining their careers. They provide flexible learning schedules that can work around a nurse’s busy work and home life.