Nurse educators are registered nurses that are also teachers. They serve as faculty members in schools of nursing, teaching hospitals and sometimes in clinical environments. They develop lesson plans, oversee students' clinical practices, evaluate educational programs and teach courses. As their experience grows they may advance to administrative roles managing nursing education programs, writing and reviewing textbooks, and developing continuing education courses and programs for working nurses.
This is a career that is highly in demand. The United States is currently experiencing a serious nursing shortage and one of the reasons is that many universities must turn away applicants due to a lack of nurse educators to train these future nurses.
The 10-credit Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education program prepares expert nurse clinicians for the role of educator, particularly as clinical and laboratory instructors in associate and baccalaureate degree nursing programs and as staff educators in clinical agencies.
The hours and working conditions can also be a factor in considering a Nurse Educator Certificate. Many who work in academic settings get summers off and don't have the high demand put on their time as those nurses that work caring for patients.
The master's degree program in nursing and the post-graduate APRN certificate program at the University of Maine School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791
NOTE: If you are an international student who is interested in pursuing any of our graduate certificate programs, please contact Katy Blackmer BEFORE applying.