The Fulfilling Career of a Nursing Professor

Behind every great nurse is a dedicated professor who helped them get to where they are today. Nurse professors play an influential role in shaping the healthcare system through mentorship and education. Not only do nursing professors teach the technical skills required for success in healthcare, but they act as a mentor for the next generation of nurses.

While nursing professors are highly valued and sought after, a prominent deficit of qualified nursing professors still exists. There is a projected 22% increase in employment for postsecondary nurse instructors and teachers from 2020 to 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This slow and steady increase is encouraging, but the need for motivated and qualified nursing professors remains.

Are you up for the job? Maybe you’re currently a nurse who’s looking to apply your knowledge outside of the traditional healthcare setting, or maybe you’re an aspiring nurse who wants to use your passion for uniquely helping others. Learn more about how you can shape the healthcare system from the inside out by becoming a nursing professor.

What is a Nursing Professor?

Nursing professors are more than just teachers, they are role models, leaders, collaborators, and allies to students navigating nursing school. Their responsibilities include designing coursework, managing clinical activities, and guiding students through training. Most nursing professors work in academic settings at nursing schools, community colleges and technical schools. However, online learning is becoming an increasingly popular option for nurses due to the flexibility of schedules. This puts an even bigger need for nursing professors to be communicative and accessible leaders for their students to flourish. 

What Do Successful Nursing Professors Look Like?

Like any other teacher, successful nursing professors possess a variety of personal and professional skills. Communication, patience, empathy, and attentiveness are a must for nursing professors, due to the unique combination of educational and medical knowledge needed. Most employers require nursing professors to have a nursing license, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and two to five years of clinical experience.

You can become even more qualified for these jobs by earning a Master of Science in Nursing with a Concentration in Nursing Education.

Benefits of Becoming a Nurse Practitioner 

As a nursing professor, you’re able to enhance the lives of not just your students, but those who will ultimately benefit from the quality of care your student provides. Educators and healthcare professionals are two professions that directly impact the lives of others in very similar ways. As a nursing professor, you’re able to experience the benefits of both being an educator and a healthcare professional simultaneously, making it an extremely rewarding job. Because of the nurse educator shortage, there is an increase in job opportunities for those who want to be nursing professors in the long-term. An open job market and high pay make it an attractive choice for those looking to get the most out of their degree. 

If you’re ready to take the steps towards a fulfilling career as a nurse professor, Herzing University is a great place to start. With a variety of nursing programs and certifications for every experience level, your life as a nursing professor is closer than ever.