Do you know how much a Nurse Educator Salary is? Are you looking to make more?
Nursing Education is a profession that is much more than just a job. Like any other job, it comes with its complexities. One of the most exciting areas to consider is its salary.
Numerous perks come with this profession, such as being able to educate healthcare professionals and equip them with the skills needed to save lives, amongst other things.
A nurse educator's salary depends on many factors, including experience, education level, location, and more. Want to learn more about the ins and outs of nurse educator salary and how you can position yourself to bargain for a higher salary? Then read on!!
What Is the Average Salary of a Nurse Educator?
Nurse educators are professionals who work in the healthcare field. They provide education, training, and support to new and experienced nurses within a particular facility or organization.
Nurse salaries can be a big mystery to newly graduated RNs. Hospitals, private practice settings, and other facilities do not always advertise their pay rate.
The average salary of a nurse educator is $79,093 per year, according to PayScale.com. This figure varies depending on where you live. In California, the median wage for RNs is $99,109, while it sits around $89,740 in Hawaii. Nurse educator salaries in Florida range from $82,814 to $110,611
Tips and Tricks for Nurse Educators to Earn More
Whether your career choice is to become a nurse educator or you have been in the role for years, there are simple things for a Registered Nurse to help increase earnings.
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Some tips are listed below:
1. Get an Advanced Degree
Higher degrees come with higher paychecks.
There are plenty of ways to boost your income as a nurse educator. One of the best ways to increase your nurse educator salary is to advance your education. Not only will you earn more money with an advanced degree, but you’ll also open up more career opportunities for yourself.
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) earns an average salary of $57,254 a year, almost $30,000 less than a Registered Nurse’s mean salary ($91,440).
High-paying, advanced practice nursing roles, such as Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwife, Nurse Educator, or Nurse Anesthetist for these roles, salaries range from $84,060 to $189,190 (depending on location and years of experience).
2. Earn Certificates to Boost Your Resume
Certification in a specific area of nursing is another excellent way to boost your resume, strengthen your skills, and enhance your paycheck. Your employer will appreciate the extra training that comes with it, too.
The National League for Nursing (NLN) offers several certification programs for nurses, including those who work in education and informatics. For example, earning the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) credential demonstrates that you have the knowledge and skills required to be an excellent educator.
Earning this credential can also help you qualify for higher-paying positions within healthcare organizations and give you more flexibility when it comes time to look for employment opportunities elsewhere.
Many facilities offer tuition reimbursement for certification courses, so check with your employer before enrolling in any courses that may cost out-of-pocket.
3. Consider Your Position as a Staff Manager or Leader
Registered Nurses who work in management or leadership positions tend to earn more than their counterparts who are not in such positions.
For example, the mean annual wage for Nurse Managers stands at $89,732, while the average annual wage for Registered Nurses without managerial responsibilities stands at $77,460.
This difference is quite huge! If you aspire to become an educator someday, consider taking up some managerial responsibilities along with your job as an educator to earn more money!
4. Enhance Your Network
Networking is a powerful tool in any career, and nursing is no exception. Meeting new people and establishing contacts is a great way to keep your finger on the pulse of the profession. You never know when you might need someone’s help or advice later.
So, make sure you stay connected with everyone you meet. You could end up connecting with someone who has connections that would help your career or even offer you an opportunity for paid employment!
5. Start Freelancing or Write a Blog as a Healthcare Writer
You can earn extra money through blogging if you have the skills to set up your blog. It’s not an easy thing to do, but if you have time on your hands and are willing to dedicate it to this business, it could also be a lucrative opportunity for you. The key here is to build up an audience and then monetize your blog once it’s big enough.
Another fairly popular way to make extra money as a nurse is by writing on health concerns, new nursing products, your experiences as an RN, and the industry as a whole.
6. Developing Your Skill set and Know Your Worth
Nurses must constantly update their skill sets to remain competitive in today’s job market (and they should also look at ways they can grow professionally).
You could consider taking professional development courses or getting certified as a nurse educator through organizations like ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center).
You should also consider how you’ll add value to an organization. Always emphasize your skills and work, and do not settle for less.
7. Work in a Night Shift
Working overtime at night might not be as appealing as working during regular hours because most people don’t like getting up early or being tried throughout the day.
However, working overtime can increase your overall income by at least 10%, which means around $1-3 per hour, or a percentage increase in pay!
8. Participate in Career Ladder Program
Hospitals or large healthcare organizations usually offer career ladder programs, and they allow nurses to earn a bonus based on the completion of their program.
These programs can include specialty certifications and degrees, but they also often include continuing education courses to help you keep up with new developments in your field.
9. Be Flexible
Try to be flexible with your schedule; this can significantly impact your salary. For example, if you bring in some extra money, consider switching to night or weekend shifts to receive shift differential pay.
Changing your status from full-time to PRN (pro re nata, meaning “as needed”) generally means higher pay rates, but check the impact on your benefits.
10. Become a Travel Nurse
The benefit is that travel nurses make 18% more than a staff RN position on average. Since travel nurses tend to travel all over the country or even the world, it's possible to get paid handsomely while also seeing new places!
Nurse educator vs. Nurse practitioner
Which nurse makes the most money it's a debatable question.
Nurse Educator
Nurse educators are professionals who teach nursing students about medical care, health promotion, and disease prevention. Nurse educators also instruct students in the application of nursing skills and concepts.
Nurse educators work in various settings, from hospitals to community colleges. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for a nurse educator is $84,060 per year.
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced degrees who have been granted supervisory authority by states and set their certification and licensing requirements standards.
The NPS provides primary care services, including diagnosing and treating illnesses, injuries, and other health conditions; conducting physical exams; ordering tests; providing immunizations; performing gynecological exams; counseling patients on nutrition and exercise; managing chronic conditions such as diabetes; ordering medications; taking medical histories; performing minor surgery under anesthesia and providing assistance during childbirth.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for a nurse practitioner is $111,680.
Both professionals are equally valuable, depending on your choice whether you love serving patients directly or not.
Conclusion
Nurse Educator Salary is quite lucrative; however, the wages will vary depending on your credentials, location, and experience. That's why anyone in this field is earning considerably less than their counterparts in other industries, for a good reason.
Nurse educators can always make some extra cash by having a little fun and creating unique opportunities for themselves. Whether it is offering private tutoring services or blogging about their experiences in the field, the opportunities are there—they just need to be nurtured.
FAQ's
What is the highest paid nurse per hour?
The highest paid nurse per hour is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, who earns a median salary of $195,610 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What type of nurse is most in demand?
Registered Nurses are the most in-demand type of nurse. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), RNs are the largest nursing occupation.
How can a nurse make extra money online?
- Freelancing (Writing and Other Services)
- Blogging and Healthcare Writing.
- Survey Sites.
- Health Coach.
- First Aid Course Instructor.
- Become an Immunization Nurse.
- Medical Transcriptionist.
- Part-Time Caregiver Jobs
Is being a nurse educator worth it?
Being a Nurse Educator is worth it. In the hospital, Nurse Educators make a lot of money. They are usually paid on par with other nurses. Still, they also get bonuses for completing specific goals, like training others or getting more people to sign up for a particular class.
