Leverage your BSN into an MSN in Nursing Education
Advance your nursing career to a role as a nurse educator and begin training the next generation of nurses. As a nurse educator, you can potentially compete for a higher salary—$84,060 per year average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)*—and help satisfy a national shortage in nurse educators.
Nearly half of all generic bachelor’s level nursing programs in the U.S. rejected qualified applicants in 2020 because of a shortage of faculty, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). The BLS projects 22% growth in employment of nursing instructors and teachers from 2020-2030, well above the national average.
Go from BSN to Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Education and position yourself for a big step forward in your career.
Being a nurse is a rewarding career, as is being a teacher. Imagine doing both.
The master's degree program in nursing at Herzing University - Madison is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). Herzing University is approved to offer programs in an online learning modality through association with the main campus in Madison, Wisconsin.
Classes Start July 11th
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Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best online graduate nursing programs in 2022*
MSN in Nursing Education Program Curriculum
You'll find that the nurse educator concentration includes courses on teaching strategies, curriculum development and nursing education roles. Following graduation, you'll be prepared to apply for the certified nurse educator examination.
Options for RNs with an ADN
We also offer an RN to MSN in Nursing Education program for nurses who hold associate degree or RN diploma in nursing.
Choose to go from RN to MSN or earn your BSN on the way in our RN to BSN to MSN track.
| Program | Monthsi | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a Concentration in Nursing Education | 16 | 36 |
i. Average number of months for students to complete program. Program availability varies by location.
Required Core Courses
All courses, 15.00 semester credit hours, are required.
Required Courses in Direct Care Core for Education
All courses, 9.00 semester credit hours, are required.
Required Courses in Nursing Education Concentration
12.00 semester credit hours are required.
MSN in Nursing Education program prerequisites
To enroll Herzing’s MSN-NE program, prospective students must live in a state where Herzing University is authorized to offer the MSN-NE program. You must also meet the following criteria:
- Hold a current, active and unrestricted license as a registered nurse (RN) in the same state in which they practice. (Note: Holding a multi-state, compact state license and being a resident in a compact license state will be deemed to have met this requirement.)
- Hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited university or college with an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Eligible states for enrollment: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District Of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Scholarship Opportunity
You may be eligible for the Herzing University Nurses Circle of Achievement Scholarship.
Eligibility requirements include a minimum GPA earned in your undergraduate nursing program, and maintaining a minimum GPA throughout the MSN program.
You can potentially earn 10% tuition reduction!
Your clinical placement is our pledge.
We understand securing clinical placement as part of an MSN nurse educator program is one of the biggest concerns students face. At Herzing, we offer guidance and support through our step-by-step Clinical Guidance Process to ensure you can get the clinical practice experiences you need.
As a Herzing student, we’ll encourage you to find your own preceptor and clinical sites as there are many benefits to doing so. However, we provide extensive support should you find difficulty along the way. With Herzing, you are never on your own.
Because of our strong relationships with healthcare providers across the U.S. and our comprehensive Clinical Guidance Process, we are confident in our ability to help you find clinical placement. So much so that if you are unable to find a clinical site on your own, we pledge to step in and help you secure clinical placement.*
* Subject to terms and conditions outlined in the enrollment agreement.
What you can do with an MSN in Nursing Education
As a graduate of Herzing University's MSN in Nursing Education program, you’ll be qualified to work in a variety of educational settings, from university classrooms to medical centers. You may find career opportunities in hospitals, private practice, and a number of nursing-related positions in a variety of workplaces.
There are many different types of nurse educators under two broad categories: a clinical setting, in which you train students directly in real-life patient care situations, and an academic setting such as a college or university. The goal is the same—to prepare nursing students for the transition from school to a professional work setting.
Types of jobs you can get in nursing education
Education in a teaching hospital or other clinical environment is often needed in the case of continuing education. Work in a hospital as a nurse educator and you will be responsible for providing clinical education to nursing staff and other healthcare professionals.
Clinical nurse educators are vital to helping a healthcare facility improve processes and mitigate risks to both patients and caregivers.
Nursing faculty teach nursing students in a classroom environment, preparing lectures and academic curriculums to provide foundational nursing education. To work in an academic setting, you will need to hold a master’s degree in nursing. For some positions, you may be required to hold a DNP or Ph.D.
Some nurse educators will split duty between a college/university classroom and clinical role depending on an organization’s needs.
Many nurse educators will teach part-time while working in a clinical setting, giving them opportunity to remain sharp, continue building experience in patient care and share their advanced expertise with new nursing students.
Requirements for the job may include:
- Design curriculum to ensure classes meet the state accreditation requirements
- Prepare lectures and lead classroom discussion
- Supervise lab and clinical education
- Provide feedback to students as they work and interact with patients
- Oversee student research and internships
- Aide in research, studies and evidence-based practice efforts
- Review student performance
Frequently Asked Questions
Life as a clinical nurse educator can be unpredictable—between managing a department’s educational and staffing needs and supporting students on an individual basis, it can be challenging to stick to a routine. However, helping patients and nursing students alike is extremely rewarding.
Take it from a real teacher in nursing who offers us a glimpse into a day in the life of a nurse educator.
Nurse educators are qualified at the master’s or doctoral level and could work in teaching roles in both clinical and academic settings.
Academic educators teach and work with nursing students, and may design, implement and revise programs for students and practicing nurses. Clinical nurse educators are uniquely positioned in the hospital system to provide education to nursing staff and other healthcare professionals, as well as providing education for patients.
Learn more about what a nurse educator is and what they do.
At the very least you’ll need to become a licensed registered nurse (RN) with several years of work experience and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Most of the time you’ll need a MSN in nursing education, especially for teaching at a university or college in an academic environment.
What degree you need depends on what you want to teach and where you teach it. Generally if you earn your master’s degree and earn your certificate as a Certified Nurse Educator, you’ll be qualified for a position as a clinical nurse educator.
You can earn your MSN in nursing education in as few as 16-20 months depending on the degree you currently hold. We recommend you sit for the Certified Nurse Educator exam. It’s not a requirement, but it will give you an edge on the job market. Completing the MSN in Nursing Education program from Herzing University makes you eligible to register for the exam.
Once you pass the exam and become a certified nurse educator you’ll have the credentials you need to start making an impact on the lives of nursing students in a clinical or college/university environment.
With Herzing University you are never alone. It’s our goal to provide all students an affordable, career-driven education. Financial aid options include:
- Loan options – Federal & private
- Scholarships & grants
- VA / military benefits
- Other sources of financial aid
You can find an estimate for tuition and expenses by using the Herzing University tuition wizard.
The estimated return on your investment is very high given the average annual salary for nursing educators and the job outlook in the coming years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the need for health educators will grow 12% from 2020 to 2030, and reports the average annual salary at $62,120 ($29.86 per hour)*.
Education is extremely important in healthcare on an ongoing basis. Your credentials and ability to educate the current and future generations of nurses will keep you very competitive in the job market.
You’ll need a great education, plenty of clinical experience, excellent communication skills, a passion for healthcare and a real desire to make a difference—and an eagerness to share your experiences with others. The best teachers are those who are truly passionate and pass that along to their students. A great teacher goes a lot further than the essentials.
Perhaps most important is a commitment to a life of learning. If you possess these crucial skills for a nurse educator, this might be the career you’re looking for.
There are many MSN programs out there through a variety of accredited nursing schools for RNs looking to step up to the next level in their specialty.
Herzing University offers MSN programs in the following specialties:
- Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
- Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Nursing Education
- Nursing Leadership and Administration
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
...all delivered online! If you are interested in a career in patient care, teaching, or on the administrative/business side of nursing, you may be interested in pursuing these emphases.
We offer multiple options for current nurses of all types, including pathways for ASN/ADN, BSN, and MSN degree holders.
View our available online Nursing Education programs.
According to 2020 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for a nurse educator is $84,060 per year.* Salaries can vary based on location, education, and experience. Discover the average nurse educator salary in your state and learn more about a career in nursing education.
Accreditations & Disclosures
1. The master's degree program in nursing at Herzing University - Madison is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). Herzing University is approved to offer programs in an online learning modality through association with the main campus in Madison, Wisconsin.
Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Not all programs approved in all states. Applicants should check with their applicable state board of nursing before enrolling in any graduate nursing program.
Eligible states for enrollment: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District Of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2020. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.
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