To teach nursing at the postsecondary level, it is necessary to be a registered nurse and have a graduate degree in nursing. Certification may also be required.
What Is a Clinical Nurse Educator?
Clinical nurse educators are healthcare professionals who have gained a high level of expertise in nursing. They educate and train aspiring nurses or newly graduated nurses. Clinical nurse educators hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree in nursing and also have completed a nurse educator training program. These training programs teach future nurses both patient care skills and the required healthcare skills needed for a career as a nurse. They commonly have several years of hands-on nursing experience as well.
| Required Education | Bachelor's degree |
| Other Requirements | Nursing license; postgraduate nurse educator training; Certified Nurse Educator certification may be required by some employers |
| Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)* | 18% for postsecondary nursing instructors and teachers |
| Median Salary (2020)* | $75,470 annually for postsecondary nursing instructors and teachers |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Clinical Nurse Educator Job Description
Clinical nurse educators are registered nurses who have typically acquired significant experience in the field prior to working in academic or healthcare facility settings to teach nursing. Because many nurses choose to become specialized in a medical area, such as pediatric or geriatric nursing, this can lend to specialized teaching credentials; however, most clinical nurse educators teach a general nursing curriculum. Clinical nurse educators can work either part- or full-time, depending on whether they choose to continue pursuing patient care.
What Does a Clinical Nurse Educator Do?
Clinical nurse educators develop curricula for nurse educator programs. They teach healthcare topics to unlicensed nursing students as well as practicing nurses. Class content includes not only didactic coursework but also hands-on clinical experience and lessons in professional responsibility. Depending on his or her position or work environment, a clinical nurse educator might collaborate with other professionals to refine nursing program content; for example, a women's health advocate may visit a nursing class addressing this subject.
Essential Skills of a Clinical Nurse Educator
As a clinical nurse educator shapes the curriculum for the future workforce of nursing, there are a number of skills that an educator should possess. These include:
- A strong educational background
- Compassion and empathy
- The ability to connect with patients and students
- Strong critical thinking skills
- Innovative when designing new curriculum
- Patient and encouraging with students
- The ability to make connections between different fields of nursing
Clinical Nurse Educator Employment Requirements
Becoming a clinical nurse educator requires obtaining at least a bachelor's degree in nursing and then becoming a registered nurse. Licensure is gained by passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Then, professional nursing experience is vital. Experience in a hospital or medical facility proves additional competency for a nurse educator and qualifies him or her to cover clinical skills within their program. Registered nurses must then enroll in a graduate-level clinical nurse education program; these are typically post-baccalaureate, although some programs do cater to individuals with a master's degree in nursing. They are designed to introduce nurses to teaching methods and curricula design theory so that they, in turn, can provide such instruction to future pupils.
Clinical Nurse Educator Certification
Certification in this field is voluntary. A Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) designation is available through the National League for Nursing (NLN). Basic eligibility criteria include a master's or doctoral degree in nursing education and a minimum of two years of full-time teaching experience. Experience requirements are dependent upon an individual's education level or prior coursework completion. CNE recertification is necessary every five years with proof of continued education or knowledge advancement.
Clinical Nurse Educator Employment Outlook and Salary
Employment for postsecondary nursing instructors and teachers was predicted to increase much faster than average through 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In May 2020, the BLS reported that professionals in the 90th percentile or higher earned $133,420 or more per year, whereas the bottom 10th percentile earned $41,930 or less per year.
Prior to becoming a clinical nurse educator, it is necessary to have extensive practical experience in nursing. In addition to instructing students, clinical nurse educators may be responsible for developing program curricula.
