If you want to help others succeed in the field of nursing, then you might take a look at getting a masters in nursing education.
You could develop invaluable skills for teaching healthcare concepts to others, such as students, practicing nurses, or members of the community. Online MSN in Education programs offer registered nurses a flexible path toward this career step.
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If you want to balance your current professional obligations with your desire to move into new roles, an online nursing education program might be right for you.
Masters in Nursing Education Online Programs
The people who taught you how to become a nurse likely left a lasting mark on your career. If you’d like to do the same for others, a master’s degree in nursing education could help you launch a career as a nursing instructor.
Most nursing education programs are designed for current RNs who hold nursing bachelors degrees, including on-campus or online nurse educator certificate programs. The master’s-level program can build upon the skills you learned during your undergrad program. The degree you’ll earn for nursing education is a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). As such, you can expect to take a core set of courses about advanced nursing practice.
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Unlike with a fast RN to BSN online or on campus program, for example, your MSN degree concentration would be in nursing education. To prepare you for working in that field, you will take multiple classes focused on learning and instruction. They might cover topics such as:
- Curriculum
- Evidence-based practices
- Instructional technology
- Learning theories
- Professional standards for educators
- Student evaluation
- Teaching methods
This degree program usually includes opportunities to try your new skills in real-world settings. There may be practicums, clinical experiences, and digital simulations involved.
If you do your coursework online, you may be able to do the in-person portions of the program at a site in your local area. After completing an accredited MSN in Nurse Educator online program, you may be eligible for industry certification. Credentials can be an asset during a nursing education job search.
You might qualify to teach college nursing. You could also look for jobs in healthcare training and development or run community health education programs.
Nursing Education Careers and Salaries
Nursing education master’s degree programs prepare students to teach health and nursing concepts to others. You might want to work at the college level. Some nurse educators teach current nursing students as they train to enter the profession or advance their careers.
Working as an administrator in a nursing college could be a related option. You might work in a department like admissions or student services. Your nursing background might help you connect with students and accurately answer their questions.
Some nurse educators also teach health concepts to people in other settings. For example, some work in hospitals or health departments. They might specialize in teaching about particular topics, such as diabetes management. In healthcare settings, you might offer training and continuing education to a team of nurses. Some graduates are also qualified to work as a clinical director or a nursing manager.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the median wages of positions related to nursing education.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners | $123,780 |
| Training and Development Managers | $120,130 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $101,340 |
| Postsecondary Education Administrators | $96,910 |
| Registered Nurses | $77,600 |
| Postsecondary Nursing Instructors and Teachers | $77,440 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $74,000 |
| Instructional Coordinators | $63,740 |
| Career and Technical Education Teachers | $61,160 |
| Health Education Specialists | $60,600 |
What you do with a master’s degree in nursing education may depend, in part, on your training and experience before entering grad school.
Your degree in nursing education might even encourage you to work in medical research. Some nursing professionals head up scientific studies or work as lab technicians. You might also consider continuing to work as a registered nurse (RN) in clinical practice.
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This master’s degree wouldn’t automatically qualify you to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), such as a nurse practitioner. If you also concentrate in an APRN specialty, you could work toward APRN certification.
If, though, you already hold that credential, a nursing education degree could be a way to continue advancing your APRN career. For example, your goal might be to train future nurse practitioners.
Nursing Education Master’s Curriculum & Courses
For an MSN in Nursing Education, you’ll have a handful of core nursing classes. In addition, there will be many classes that concentrate on the topics of teaching and learning.
Here are some course examples:
- Advanced Nursing Practice: There might be one or more classes in which you’ll build upon what you already know about diagnoses, treatments, pharmaceuticals, and patient care.
- Evidence-Based Nursing Instruction: You’ll learn to make research-based practices a priority in both your teaching methods and your healthcare decisions.
- Health Research: As a graduate student, you can expect to study research methods, biostatistical analysis, scientific writing, and journal publication.
- Healthcare Leadership: This class can help prepare you for the variety of leadership roles you may be placed in after earning your master’s degree in nursing.
- Healthcare Quality: There might be a class that focuses on providing high-quality nursing services that prioritize the health and safety of patients.
- Nursing Curriculum: You’ll learn how to select, evaluate, and implement curricular materials that will inform your learners and meet industry standards.
- Professionalism for Nurse Educators: Case studies and role-playing may help you learn how to handle situations that could arise while working as an educator in clinical or academic settings.
- Student Evaluation: This course will address ways to assess what your students are learning and adjust your teaching methods accordingly.
- Teaching Methods for Healthcare: This class will give you practical skills that you can use when teaching in the classroom, in clinical settings, and even for online learning.
- Technology in Nursing Education: You may study the benefits and drawbacks of new and emerging technologies for healthcare education.
In addition to the classroom work, you will probably complete a nursing education practicum as well.
Masters in Nurse Education Online Admissions Requirements
Because nursing is a specialized field, there are specific admissions requirements for this degree. Here are some common criteria needed to get into an MSN program:
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited college
- Current RN license
- Scores from the GRE or another standardized test (not required at all schools)
- Transcripts from all colleges you’ve been to
- Written statement about your goals in nursing
Schools may also require applicants to have earned a minimum GPA during their undergraduate studies.
Nurse Education Masters Programs Accreditation
When selecting an online master in nursing education program, it’s helpful to note whether a school holds regional accreditation. That’s an important mark of quality.
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Accreditation is valued by colleges and healthcare organizations. It can determine whether you’re eligible to transfer credits, use federal financial aid, or enter doctoral programs. A regionally accredited degree can also contribute to your employability. Employers are more likely to hire nurse educators who have graduated from regionally accredited schools.
CCNE Accreditation
To ensure that your master’s program meets current nursing standards, you can look for a program that’s approved by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The CCNE grants programmatic accreditation to undergraduate and graduate nursing programs.
Many employers prefer to hire nursing professionals who have graduated from CCNE accredited colleges. This accreditation offers assurance that an applicant has received a high-quality nursing education and is prepared to work in a modern healthcare setting.
Nursing Education Licensure and Certifications
To show that you are a capable nurse educator who’s ready to be a leader in this field, it’s beneficial to pursue national certification. You can get certified through the National League for Nursing (NLN).
Your certification options include:
- Certification for Nurse Educators: This credential is intended for people who are involved with nursing instruction—including curriculum planning and student advising—in college settings.
- Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator: This certification demonstrates that an educator can oversee the clinical components of nursing students’ education.
Academic employers may require job candidates to be certified in nursing education.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
College is expensive, but financial assistance programs can help students who qualify. One major funding source is government aid, including loans and grants. The federal government offers financial aid programs, and so do many states.
Scholarship awards offer another significant source of financial assistance for many students. To begin your search for financial aid, you can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Also, you can start researching scholarship programs and then send in applications. You can talk to your employer as well. You may learn that tuition reimbursement is one of your employee benefits.
What Is a Masters in Nursing Education Degree?
A masters in nursing education degree is a graduate program for nurses who want to help others succeed in the nursing field. As a student in a nursing education program, you can advance your knowledge of nursing concepts and practices.
You can also study methods of adult education and learn how to apply those ideas to nursing instruction. Practicums and clinical experiences could allow you to try out your teaching skills before graduation. This degree program focuses on how to teach college nursing students as well as nurses who are in the workforce.
What Can You Do with a Master’s in Nursing Education Online Degree?
With a nursing education master’s degree, your goal might be to work as a college-level nursing instructor. Nursing professors can teach students at the undergraduate or graduate level. Some may offer classroom instruction, and others may oversee clinicals.
Many employers may require industry certification through the National League for Nursing (NLN). Nursing educators can also help nurses in the workforce improve their skills. Adult education skills could also be useful for a job as a community health educator.
What Is a Nurse Educator?
A nurse educator is a professional who holds an advanced knowledge of nursing and knows how to teach others. Nurse educators usually train other nurses. They may teach incoming nurses at the undergraduate level or experienced nurses who enroll in grad school.
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Nurse educators can also provide training and instruction in clinical settings. For example, they may head up training and development programs for the nurses who work in a particular hospital. Nurse educators’ healthcare knowledge and teaching skills could also be useful in community settings. They may help patients or the general public learn about health, safety, and nutrition.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Masters in Nursing Education?
Similar to the time it takes to complete an online masters in nursing leadership program, online nursing education masters programs often take about 1 to 2 years with full-time enrollment. The fastest programs usually allow students to move at their own pace through 8 week courses that are offered throughout the year.
Accelerated programs require a full-time commitment. Students that enroll in school part-time will probably need longer to finish an MSN degree. Some colleges accept transfer credits for the MSN program. If you’ve already taken some graduate-level nursing courses, that could help shorten your program length.
Is an MSN in Nursing Education Worth It?
Yes, an MSN in Nursing Education is worth it for many professionals. This is a field with noteworthy growth potential. There’s always a demand for nurses. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that jobs for registered nurses are growing at a 6% rate, and jobs for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are increasing at a 40% rate.
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Academic and healthcare institutions need educators who can train those nurses. To go along with that, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 22% growth rate for postsecondary nursing instructors and teachers. In addition, there’s a projected 8% job growth for health education specialists.
Universities Offering Online Masters in Nursing Education Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
The Master of Science in Nursing program at Arizona State University offers a concentration in Nursing Education. The program is designed to help nurses develop the skills needed to become effective educators in their field. Classes meet online, and each one is 7.5 weeks long. The curriculum covers topics like health assessment, curriculum development, teaching strategies, and innovative leadership.
ASU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Drexel University offers a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in Nursing Education. The curriculum emphasizes advanced clinical skills for practitioners and innovative teaching skills for educators. The program requires the completion of 45 credits and is housed online. Graduates often pursue careers as nursing faculty, clinical instructors, simulation coordinators, or hospital nurse educators.
Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Duke University’s Master of Science in Nursing offers a specialty in Nursing Education. The program utilizes a flexible online learning format designed to accommodate working students. Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits to graduate. The concentration coursework covers key educational concepts like curriculum development, accreditation, student assessment, and teaching in the clinical environment.
Duke University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Duquesne University offers an online program for a Master of Science in Nursing Education and Faculty Role. Nurses passionate about guiding the next generation of nursing professionals may find an excellent fit in this program. Students can typically complete the program’s 36 required credits in 2.5 years. Incoming students can select one of three yearly start dates.
Duquesne University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Students completing their Master’s in Nursing at East Carolina University can select a concentration in Nursing Education. This curriculum is designed to help nurses develop the knowledge needed to serve as educators in clinical and academic roles. The program is housed 100% online. Potential courses include Educational Theory, Curriculum Development, and Evaluation in Nursing Education.
East Carolina University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Ferris State University offers a Master of Science in Nursing. Students can choose a concentration in Nursing Education, Nursing Informatics, or Nursing Administration. The program’s convenient online learning model is designed with working professionals in mind. Full-time students can typically complete the degree requirements in 5 semesters, while part-time students often finish in 7 semesters.
Ferris State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Fort Hays State University offers an online program for a Master’s in Nursing Education. This program may be an excellent next step for working nurses hoping to pursue more advanced educational and leadership roles. The program requires the completion of 36 total credit hours. Classes cover key concepts like policy, informatics, curriculum planning, evidence-based practice and teaching, and student evaluation.
FHSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The Master of Science in Nursing at Grand Canyon University offers an emphasis in Nursing Education. The program allows students to tailor their practicum experiences to their professional goals. Didactic courses meet online, while skills assessments and clinical experiences provide students with hands-on learning opportunities. Students must complete at least 36 credits to graduate.
Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Indiana State University offers a Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Nursing Education. The program is designed to accommodate busy working professionals, with classes housed online and clinical practicums completed within students’ local areas. On average, students can complete this 40 credit program in 3 years when attending part-time.
Indiana State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The Master of Science in Nursing at Sacred Heart University offers a Nursing Education concentration. The development of curriculum using evidence-based practice is at the core of this program. The program requires the completion of 39 credit hours and can be attended 100% online. Students can typically complete the degree requirements in 2 years.
Sacred Heart University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Southern New Hampshire University offers an online program for a Master’s in Nursing Education. The program aims to equip students with advanced clinical and teaching skills to train the next generation of nurses. In addition to 36 credits of coursework, students must complete 135 hours in a clinical practicum in the field. The program admits students five times yearly.
Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
The University of Massachusetts—Amherst offers a Master of Science in Nursing Education. Students interested in deepening their expertise as instructors, practitioners, and leaders may find an ideal next step in this program. The curriculum consists of 11 courses for a total of 32 total credit hours. Classes meet online, while clinicals are held in the field.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
The University of North Carolina—Wilmington offers a Master of Science in Nursing with a Nurse Educator specialization. The curriculum places dual focus on theory and practice to help students develop a well-rounded foundation from which to instruct. On average, students can complete this 36 credit program in 12 months of full-time attendance.
The University of North Carolina Wilmington is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Utah offers a Master of Science in Nursing Education. Many graduates pursue educator roles in settings like hospitals, community colleges, universities, non-profit organizations, or public health facilities. Classes meet fully online and cover concepts like clinical supervision, mentoring, and curriculum development. Students can attend part-time or full-time.
The University of Utah is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Western Governors University offers a Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in Nursing Education. This curriculum is designed for registered nurses who have already completed a bachelor’s degree in the field. The program utilizes a 100% online learning format. Students can typically complete the program’s requirements in 2 years.
Western Governors University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Getting Your Master in Nursing Education Online
You know what it’s like to work as a nurse, and now you want to help others succeed in the nursing field, too. Getting your master’s degree in nursing education might allow you that opportunity. It can help equip you to train nurses in collegiate or workplace settings.
Online master’s in nursing education programs offer convenience for busy professionals. You might be able to keep working as an RN while you take online classes to prepare for the next step in your career.
You can start checking out your options for accredited online MSN programs today to determine which nursing education degree best fits your needs and interests.
