A clinical nurse educator’s role is to teach health matters to nursing students, patients and clients, and to other health staff. They work in various places such as nursing schools, hospitals, training centers, health centers, companies that supply complex health products, and research facilities. An online nursing degree will help you get started in this exciting field.
The following information will show you how to become a clinical nurse educator.
- Be knowledgeable about the field of clinical nurse education. If interested in this area of medicine, you need to first understand the role of the clinical nurse educator. A clinical nurse educator’s main job is to teach health information and skills to people. She imparts the necessary knowledge to nursing students and guides them during the application of the information. She informs patients and clients about their health conditions, addresses questions and counsels them about the proper way to take care of their health. She instructs other health staff members regarding proper health care and protocols, and helps them apply what they have learned within their respective tasks. When employed in a hospital or healthcare setting, the clinical nurse educator teaches the staff about new products the facility will be using, new procedures, and reviews procedures for yearly training sessions. They are also instrumental in teaching classes on life saving techniques for certification and recertification for the staff such as advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), pediatric advanced life support (PALS), and basic cardiac life support (BCLS) among others. They may also be responsible for maintaining records of these classes for the facility for accreditation requirements.
- Get the necessary academic requirements and nurse training. The typical entry level education for clinical nurse educators is a Master’s in Nursing (MSN). You can start your education by getting your Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) and then continue your education until you receive your Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN). This is typically known as a 2+2 program as the ADN takes two years to complete and the BSN takes an additional two years to complete. The benefit to getting the ADN first is you can sit the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become a registered nurse (RN) and then practice as a RN while you continue your education. There are several MSN programs that specialize specifically in the clinical nurse educator role. These programs generally take two years to complete after your BSN is obtained. These programs focus on the adult learner and how to be an effective teacher. More and more nurses are obtaining doctorate degrees in education.
- Be trained as a clinical nurse educator. A clinical nurse educator must have experience and training to be adept in skills. During the course of education, they are trained in a variety of skills and procedures in different conditions. They must have at least two years of experience in the clinical setting because it is hard to teach what you don’t know. Typically ICU nurses become clinical nurse educators for ICU nurses. Extended care facility nurses become clinical nurse educators for extended care staff and patients.
- Pass the certification exams for clinical nurse educators. The National League of Nursing has a credentialing examination for clinical nurse educators. When the exam is passed the credential conferred is Certified Nurse Educator (CNE).
- Consider the salary range and job outlook. The salary range for clinical nurse educators is $46,000 to $90,000 depending upon education level and experience. Salaries will be higher on the coasts and in large facilities. Also, those nurses that have a doctorate degree can demand a higher salary.
The need for nurses is growing with the aging of the population. Right now there is a fairly large population of nurses that are nearing retirement age, and as that happens there is going to be a large shortage of nurses. That also means a shortage of clinical nurse educators to help educate the new nurses in their career paths. Additionally, nursing schools have been turning away applicants because they have a shortage of nurse educators to teach the students. - Do well in the interview. Write an excellent resume, which describes why you are the best clinical nurse educator for the job. Read tips on effective resume writing from books or online articles, or have a professional resume writer create an effective resume for you. Practice how you will answer the interview questions. Dress appropriately and look presentable, arrive on time, and never be disrespectful to the interviewer. Do your best in the interview and you may get the job.
- Set up your own clinical nurse educator business. If you plan to be your own boss, set up your own business. Obtain the necessary licenses and permits to be a clinical nurse educator. Set up your own clinic, health center or consulting agency. Promote your business through various means, and do a good job to make clients trust you and refer other people. This is an excellent avenue for nurse entrepreneurs. Especially if you are good at writing an education program that nurses can take online for CEU credits. Perhaps your forte is setting up educational seminars.
Clinical nurse educators are in short supply and the job prospects are bright. Just about everywhere there are patients, a nurse educator job is needed. These are jobs for nurses with master’s degrees who have at least two years of clinical experience. It is a very rewarding career to help other nurses, patients and families understand a new concept or procedure.