While many people entering the healthcare industry have dreams of being a nurse or a physician, this may not be the route you’ve got in mind. There are, in fact, many jobs in the healthcare industry that have a huge impact on where the field is going. This will give you a chance to feel as though you’re making a difference. A nurse educator is the perfect example of a job in the industry where you will literally be saving lives and making differences by educating nurses.
So how exactly do you get a job as a nurse educator? Let’s take a closer look.
Begin with the Training
In order to become a nurse educator, you’re going to need to start with training and education yourself, and that comes in the form of a master of science in nursing. You can even opt to do this degree through an online masters in nursing program through a well-known school like Norwich University.
By choosing to obtain your degree through an online program, you’ll be able to take advantage of a convenient and flexible schedule and small class sizes. You can also choose a specialty track, which at Norwich University includes the nursing education specialty track. These courses will be designed to prepare you to become a nurse educator.
Where to Look for Work?
While you may assume that you will be working in a classroom as a nurse educator, that isn’t always the case. There are also nurse educators who work in a clinical setting. This opens a number of doors for you when looking for a job.
In your job, you’ll be responsible for designing, implementing, evaluating, and making revisions to academic content, so basically, any setting where this is necessary provides a job opportunity for you.
Helpful Traits to Have
Besides having the proper education and knowing where to look for work, there are also some common traits that nurse educators tend to have. To start with you need to love what you’re doing and have a passion for healthcare and teaching. This will help you to be a more effective educator overall.
You also need to have a strong amount of patience, empathy, and compassion. The healthcare industry is tough and it can take a lot out of people, as you need to be mindful of what others are going through. The most effective educators tend to be those who use positive encouragement to motivate their students.
What to Expect Salary-Wise
If you’re curious about what nurse educators make per year, it varies quite a bit depending on where you end up teaching. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average for nursing instructors and teachers is $75,030.
Break Into the Field
Now that you’re aware of the steps you need to take to break into the field, all that’s left for you to do is get started with that first step.
