5 reasons to become a nursing educator 

After building your clinical experience, the next meaningful step in your career may be sharing your knowledge to educate and mentor future nurses. How to become a nurse educator typically starts with understanding the role and impact of nursing education, which is more than just a new job; it’s a vital contribution to the long-term quality and value of health care. 

What is a nursing educator? 

A nursing educator is a specialized professional who teaches, mentors, and guides students. Drawing on broad clinical experience, they offer insight into a variety of roles and fields, helping students develop a personalized nursing career pathway. Beyond the classroom, their roles and responsibilities may include providing resources for professional development, career services, and assistance to help graduates successfully transition into their new roles. This highlights why nursing education is important in shaping competent and confident healthcare providers. 

Benefits of becoming a nursing educator 

The career transition to nursing education offers profound professional and personal rewards. 

1. Maximize your impact on future nurses and patients 

As an educator, your influence multiplies. By training new nurses, you are ensuring they are prepared with the clinical and ethical foundation necessary for high-quality patient care. You gain immense influence on the next generation of health care providers, fundamentally shaping the profession’s trajectory for the better. 

2. Solve a critical national shortage 

Tens of thousands of qualified students are turned away from programs each year due to limited faculty and resources. With the U.S. facing a growing nursing shortage, you have the chance to make a real difference as a nursing educator. By becoming a nursing educator, you can mentor the next generation of nurses, help expand program capacity, and ensure patients continue to receive high-quality care as the workforce adapts to retirements and an aging population.   

3. Unlock professional growth and development 

The role of an educator demands continuous learning, keeping your clinical knowledge current and refining your teaching methodologies. This constant evolution fosters professional growth and development that is essential for educators in both academic and nursing professional development settings. Exploring advanced programs such as the Doctor of Nursing Education (DNE) program at The Ohio State University can further support your career advancement and mastery of nursing education principles. 

4. Pursue advanced career opportunities 

If you have a bachelor’s degree in nursing, a certification may be a good way to demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional growth as a nursing educator. If you have earned your Master of Science in Nursing and are ready to pursue a terminal degree, Ohio State’s Doctor of Nursing Education can prepare you to become an education leader in academia or healthcare settings, such as hospitals, clinics, or home care, helping you take your career to the next level. 

5. Find flexibility and work-life balance 

While rigorous, many academic roles offer a different schedule than traditional clinical settings, which may lead to enhanced flexibility and work-life balance. These benefits make nursing education an attractive path for experienced nurses seeking meaningful impact with sustainable work schedules. If this sounds appealing, becoming a nursing instructor at a college or university may be a good fit for you. 

How to become a nursing educator with Ohio State 

For nurses who already hold a master’s degree in nursing and want to focus on education, specialized training is key. The Ohio State University’s online Doctor of Nursing Education (DNE) degree provides advanced educational theory and clinically informed teaching principles to help nurses thrive as educators. 

The 100% online DNE program offers two specialized tracks: The Academic Nursing Education track, designed for those who want to teach in colleges and universities, and the Nursing Professional Development (NPD) track, focused on educating nurses in clinical and workforce settings. Both tracks include field immersion experiences and a culminating project, allowing nurses to tailor their training to the environment where they want to make the biggest impact. 

If you are ready to make a significant contribution to nursing, the online Doctor of Nursing Education provides the education and strategies needed to become an expert educator with the highest level of education in the field. Connect with your Enrollment Advisor today to discover how the Doctor of Nursing Education can transform your career and the lives of your students.