What does a Nurse Instructor do?
Nurse educators teach and mentor current and future nurses. They may work in classrooms, as well as in clinical settings. Their responsibilities may include designing educational programs and curricula, providing training to aspiring nurses or licensed staff, and evaluating research to continuously improve clinical practice.
Nurse educators must have a license as a registered nurse (RN), and they usually have several years of experience working as an RN. Most employers require a graduate degree such as a Master of Science in Nursing or even a doctoral degree for nurse educator positions. Some nurse educators also have a nurse educator certification. Nurse educators usually have a passion for lifelong learning and development, and they need excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Design and continuously improve and adapt curriculum depending on educational needs
- Teach courses and provide training to licensed and unlicensed nurses
- Develop lesson plans
- Incorporate evidence-based research into educational plans, patient treatment plans, and nursing practices
- Serve as a mentor to nurses, and identify growth opportunities and educational needs for practicing nurses
- Promote critical thinking among nurses, and show commitment to professional development and lifelong learning
- Maintain current knowledge of trends in area of expertise
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) required. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or PhD preferred.
- Must possess current valid license as a registered nurse in the state of practice
- Nurse educator certification preferred
- 2-5 years experience working as a registered nurse in a clinical setting
- Previous experience in a teaching setting preferred
- Must possess valid basic life support (BLS) certification
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Exceptional interpersonal skills
How much does a Nurse Instructor make?
Base Pay
Additional Pay
$93,895
/ yrNurse Instructor Career Path
Learn how to become a Nurse Instructor, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Nurse Instructor Insights
SUNY“Not much benefits and I volunteered for the job because I love to share my knowledge.”
Aetna“My boss and coworkers are great to work with.”
King Fahad Specialist Hospital“Persue in PhD is gives an opportunity in career growth”
Royal Children's Hospital“Great place to work with good teamwork”
Florida State College at Jacksonville“Great people to work with”
“Required good salary scale for qualified nurses”
Liaquat National Hospital“Education training is not so advance”
Torrens University Australia“Good team to work with”
Frequently asked questions about the roles and responsibilities of a Nurse Instructor
When working as a Nurse Instructor, the most common skills you will need to perform your job and for career success are Teaching Experience, CPR, Leadership, BLS Certification, and Collaboration.
- Home Health Nurse
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Clinical Nurse
- Nurse Manager
The most common qualifications to become a Nurse Instructor include a minimum of a Graduate Degree and an average of 0 - 1 years of experience not including years spent in education and/or training.