It is predicted that nurse educator jobs will increase in the upcoming years. But firstly, who are nurse educators? Nurse Educators specialize in working with nursing students and nursing staff in various schools and healthcare settings. Becoming a Nurse Educator requires completing a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing education and meeting state requirements for being a licensed nurse.
Nurse educator jobs are among the highest paying in the healthcare industry and can range from $87,173 to $116,433 annually, according to salary.com. Seeking nurse educator jobs is the best way to make money and become financially secure.
So you need a job as a nurse educator. That's great, but it's also overwhelming considering the many choices and job requirements. There are so many positions out there that it can be challenging to choose the one that's right for you. Here's a breakdown of the different nurse educator jobs out there and what they entail.
List of High-Paying Best Nurse Educator Jobs!
1. Nursing Program Director
Requirements
Nursing program directors typically hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing, though an advanced degree is preferred. Before becoming a director, they must also have at least five years of experience as a nurse or other health care professional.
Job description
Nursing Program Directors are responsible for developing and managing nursing programs within an organization. The role will be consistent, regardless of skill level, location, and years of experience. The demand for nursing program directors is expected to grow by nine percent over the next five years.
The role of a nurse program director can vary depending on their employer, but it usually involves managing the nursing staff. They are responsible for selecting/hiring new nurses and developing curricula and training programs for current and future employees.
A nurse educator’s responsibilities vary depending on where they work but may include:
- Developing curriculum and lesson plans
- Assessing student progress
- Managing budgets and staff
The job market for nursing program directors in the United States is very active, with many companies hiring.
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Salary range
$72,394 to $119,870 per year
2. Nursing Education Specialist
Requirements
A bachelor's degree in nursing is required for this job, as well as three years of experience working with a team to develop programs that promote learning. Candidates must also know instructional design theory, methods, techniques, and principles; they must be able to design a curriculum that meets educational standards; they must be able to evaluate the effectiveness of their programs; they must be able to create lesson plans; they must be able to identify strategies that help students learn, and they must be able to assess student performance using assessment tools.
Job description
Nursing educators work at hospitals, universities, and other organizations to help nursing students learn how to be competent nurses and support their studies. But Nursing education specialists may also focus on specific areas of study, such as pediatrics or geriatrics.
In some cases, they may also serve as clinical instructors who teach students how to practice nursing skills under the supervision of more experienced nurses or doctors. Nursing education specialists often work as
- Instructors, mentors, or clinical instructors.
- Involved in curriculum development, course design
- Assessment of student performance.
Nursing education specialists may work at various facilities, depending on their area of specialization. For example, pediatric nurses may work at hospitals or other facilities specializing in children’s health care. Geriatric nurses may work with older adults with chronic illnesses or other conditions requiring long-term care.
Nursing Education Specialist jobs are in high demand and are expected to grow by 22% from 2022 to 2026. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that in 2022, about 62,000 nursing educators will be working in the United States.
Salary range
$45,000 - $96,500 per year
3. Clinical Informatics Educator
Requirements
A master’s degree in nursing or a related field, such as information technology, is typically required for this position. You may also need a bachelor’s degree and at least one year of experience in this field.
The job requires a high knowledge of IT systems and software and excellent communication skills. The clinical informatics educator must be able to explain complex concepts simply so that everyone can understand them.
If you’re interested in becoming a clinical informatics educator, you should have a bachelor's degree in an IT-related field like computer science or information technology.
Job description
The role of the clinical informatics educator is to train healthcare professionals on how to use electronic health records (EHRs). They work in hospitals and other medical facilities, teaching doctors and nurses how to use EHRs and why they're essential.
Ideally, many clinical informatics educators are self-employed and work on contract.
The clinical Informatics Educator job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring. The job market is more competitive in major cities like New York City and San Francisco. The job growth is expected to be slow, with a 1.8% increase in jobs by 2024.
The demand for clinical informatics educators will likely remain strong due to the increasing adoption of EHRs and the fact that many hospitals still need training on how to use them effectively.
Salary range
$102,500 - $155,500 per year
4. Nursing Education Consultant (NCE)
Requirements
The NEC position requires extensive knowledge of nursing practice and teaching methods. You must understand how students learn best, what motivates them, and how to best prepare them for their careers as nurses.
Bachelor's degree in nursing or higher, or equivalent experience; or certification as a nurse educator from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Job description
Nursing education consultants advise professional nursing educators on developing or improving a program or curriculum related to a specific aspect of nursing education at a school, hospital, or private organization.
Nursing education consultants may also work as part of a team to develop and implement new policies, procedures, or programs that help improve the quality of nursing education at their clients' institutions.
They may also work with faculty members to develop new educational materials, such as textbooks or instructional videos. The role of a nursing education consultant is essential in ensuring that the nation's healthcare professionals are well trained and prepared for their roles. Other important roles are:
- Advise professional nursing educators on how to develop or improve a program or curriculum, Observing current practices
- Assessing the performance and student outcomes
- Working with educators to create new, more effective tools to provide the proper preparation for the vocation.
They conduct research on the development and implementation of educational practices, such as assessing current student outcomes to determine if they're meeting industry standards.
The demand for nurse education consultants is extensively low than for nurse education specialists.
Salary range
$53,850 to $169,940 per year
5. Clinical Nursing Instructor
Requirements
Clinical nursing instructors should have at least a master's degree in nursing and several years of experience working as nurse educators. Some schools require an additional credential such as a doctorate to teach graduate-level courses.
Job description
Nursing instructors are highly trained educators who instruct students in the art and science of nursing. The clinical nursing instructor is responsible for planning and implementing the curriculum of medical program courses in nursing.
The teacher assigns homework, enforces course requirements, administers learning assessments, informs students about clinical rotation requirements, and evaluates the effectiveness of course content through surveys that help students learn theory and hands-on skills.
Nursing instructors teach students how to provide medical care in hospitals, clinics, or private practice offices. They must have extensive knowledge of their subject matter and communicate effectively with students.
Salary range
$28,500 - $133,000 per year
6. Nursing Instructor
Requirements
Education programs are available at the associate's, bachelor's, and master's degree levels. Nursing instructors need a bachelor's degree in nursing education or a related field. Some hospitals and other healthcare facilities may require a master's degree, and practical experience is also required.
Job description
If you love helping others and teaching, a nursing instructor job will be an excellent fit.
Nursing instructors teach students who are pursuing a career in nursing. They are responsible for developing the curriculum and preparing lectures, tests, and assignments. They may also be responsible for administering exams, grading assignments, and performing all other duties an educator might have. Nurses who hold this role may also be called instructors or educators.
Nursing instructors prepare students for nursing examinations through both laboratory and classroom settings. In a laboratory setting, they administer exams based on the content learned in class, such as performing phlebotomy procedures or inserting IV lines.
These examinations help measure students' ability to apply what they have learned in the classroom to real-life situations outside school hours. Some nursing schools also require students to take examinations during regular class time and scheduled lab sessions so that instructors can monitor their progress and provide feedback on how to improve their performance on future exams.
Salary range
$48,000 - $85,000 per year
7. RN Faculty
Requirements
Bachelor's degree in nursing or a related field; Master's degree in nursing preferred
Job description
The RN faculty member is responsible for teaching in various settings and may instruct students in the classroom, lab, or clinical setting. The instructor may teach at the undergraduate or graduate level and may be responsible for developing educational materials and grading work.
Salary range
According to the BLS, an average of $80,589 to $146,780 per year. Entry-level registered nurses earned much less — around $54,000 annually.
8. Nursing Professor
Nursing professors teach nursing students and provide them with guidance, knowledge, and support throughout their academic careers.
Requirements
Bachelor's degree in nursing or related field, Master's degree in nursing preferred, Licensed as a registered nurse in good standing in the state where you will be teaching.
Job description
Teach courses on nursing theory, research methods, leadership and management, clinical practice, and health policy to undergraduate or graduate students in a nursing program. You'll also provide tutoring or mentorship to students who need assistance with coursework. You may be required to supervise student clinical placements at local hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare facilities.
Salary Range
$80,589 to $146,780 per year
9. Nursing Program Coordinator
Nursing Program Coordinators work for nursing schools and hospitals. They coordinate the delivery of educational programs for nurses, including scheduling classes and providing student support.
Requirements
Nursing Program Coordinators need a bachelor's degree in nursing or a related field and two years of experience as a nurse educator or clinical instructor.
Job Description
A Nursing Program Coordinator schedules courses and teaches classes to nursing students. They may also act as mentors, helping new graduates transition into their first jobs as registered nurses (RNs). They prepare lesson plans, teach classes, and evaluate student performance. They may also help develop new course content or curriculum revisions based on emerging trends in the industry. A Nursing Program Coordinator must be able to manage multiple tasks at once while maintaining an organized schedule for students and staff members.
Salary Range
$49,680 to $74,520 per year
10. Allied Health Instructor
Requirements
The minimum educational requirement for Allied Health Instructors is a bachelor's degree. In most cases, applicants with a master's degree will be preferred. A doctoral degree may also be an advantage. Many institutions require instructors to have experience in the health care field.
Job description
Allied Health Instructors teach students various healthcare professions such as nursing, nutrition, and physical therapy. They may also be responsible for creating lesson plans and grading exams. These educators may advise students on career options and provide information on financing their education. In addition to teaching, they may give presentations at conferences or write articles for professional journals or magazines.
In some cases, Allied Health Instructors must do research in their field of study to update their curriculum materials or textbooks when necessary. They may also be responsible for developing new curricula based on their findings or adapting existing ones to meet changing needs in the industry. Some colleges offer online courses that allow students to complete their coursework from anywhere in the world using an internet connection and a computer with Internet access (or smartphone/tablet).
Salary range
$38,320 to $103,952 per year
11. Practical Nursing Instructor
Requirements
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) and at least one year of experience as a registered nurse (RN). Those without an undergraduate degree can complete a bridge program to obtain an entry-level nursing position.
Job description
Practical nurses instruct patients on performing basic health care tasks and administering medications. They also develop lesson plans and conduct classroom instruction for students who enroll in practical nursing programs or other training programs for health professionals.
Salary range
$32,040 to $59,510 per year
Conclusion
In a job market that's getting increasingly competitive as each year passes, there are few guarantees for the future—but one thing is pretty much inevitable: there will be plenty of jobs to be found for qualified nurse educators in the coming years.
Of course, no one can predict the future, but we have done our best to research and forecast based on current trends. Whether you're an experienced educator looking to hone your skills or somebody just starting in the field, this information should be helpful. Good luck.
FAQ's
Where do nurse educators make the most money?
Nurse educators can make the most money at general medical and surgical hospitals, earning an average salary of $123,760 annually. The second highest-paying workplace is psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals, with an average salary of $94,380.
Nurse educators who work for state government (excluding schools and hospitals) earn an average of $80,790.
What is the highest-demand job in nursing?
The highest-demand job in nursing is Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), who earn a nationwide average of $202,470 per year.
What is the highest-paid nurse specialty?
The highest paid nurse specialty is family nurse, with an average salary of $113,000. Urgent care nurses and oncology nurses are also both in the top five highest paying jobs at $113,000. Other top paying jobs include orthopedic nurse at $115,000, cardiac nurse, and emergency room nurse at $116,000.
Neonatal Nurse – $127,000.
Nurse Anesthetist – $189,000.
Which nurse practitioner is most in demand?
The most in-demand nurse practitioner specialties are a family practice and psychiatric nursing.
These two fields have the highest demand because they're so versatile. You can work with various patients, from children to seniors, and you'll still be able to use your expertise to help them.
