Nurse Educator Certificate Online Post-Master’s Program

While nurse educators and instructors share some commonalities with nurse practitioners (NPs), there are key differences.

Nurse educators primarily help prepare licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and registered nurses (RNs) to enter the workforce. Because they teach, nurse educators often work in academic settings like nursing schools, community colleges and technical schools – though they may work in various healthcare settings as well.

NPs, on the other hand, serve as primary and secondary care providers for patients. While they may also work in academic settings, they often work in hospitals, emergency rooms, private physician or NP practices, and public health departments. In these roles, they'll assess patient needs, order and analyze diagnostic and laboratory tests, prescribe medications and create treatment plans.

In order to become a nurse educator in the US, you will likely require a BSN and a master's degree, along with certification such as Certified Nurse Educator (CNE).

SNHU's online post-master's certificate in nursing education is aligned with competencies defined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), as well as the National League of Nursing (NLN) Core Competencies of Nurse Educators.

That means, upon graduation, you'll meet the educational requirements you need to sit for the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) exam. 

Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) is a certification designed to demonstrate expertise in nursing education. The program was established by the National League of Nursing (NLN) in 2002, and remains highly regarded today.

According to Dr. Crissy Hunter RN, CNE, clinical faculty of graduate nursing programs at SNHU, the CNE credential is also a "gold star" for nurse educators.

"The CNE credential communicates to students, peers and to anyone within the academic and healthcare communities that you have met the highest standards of excellence in nursing education," Dr. Hunter said. "By becoming credentialed as a certified nurse educator, you serve as a leader and a role model to others."

According to Dr. Hunter, beyond showing a commitment to their roles, certification also helps professionals develop a broad range of competences from teaching strategies and curriculum development to how to evaluate students and stay current with evidence-based practices.

The Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) exam is designed to reflect the quality standards these roles demand. As a result, many consider the exam – which is comprised of 150 multiple choice questions that must be completed within 3 hours – to be challenging.

That said, an academic program aligned with the National League of Nursing's Core Competencies of Nurse Educators, paired with practice exams, can help prepare you for success.

Whether or not it's "worth it" to become a certified nurse educator depends entirely on you and your goals.

That said, for Dr. Crissy Hunter RN, CNE, clinical faculty of graduate nursing programs at SNHU, the answer is a resounding "Absolutely!"

"Outside of obtaining my nursing license, getting my CNE was the second-best career choice I ever made," Dr. Hunter said. "Becoming certified helps you build credibility and honor. It validates the work you do as an educator and demonstrates your commitment to excellence in teaching."

While every path is different, Dr. Hunter also notes that becoming a CNE helped put her on track to pursue her goals.

"For me, it has opened doors to opportunities I hadn’t imagined before, to include leadership roles, being asked to join curriculum development projects, and even consulting in bigger educational initiatives," she said.

Beyond that, the confidence boost of reaching that goal not only changed how she's viewed by others, but how she viewed herself.

"Having your CNE shows that you are serious about the quality of education you are providing to students. And let's be honest, it feels pretty darn good to add those three letters—CNE—after your name," she said.

So if you're on the fence, but think becoming a CNE is something you want, it may be worth considering.

"The process is challenging, yes, but it is incredibly rewarding," Dr. Hunter said. "“By investing in your role as an educator, you're investing in the future of nursing. Certification is just the beginning of that journey.”

The highest level of education for a nurse is a doctorate of nursing, of which there are two types – a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Each option takes about 4 to 6 years to complete, and both require a BSN and MSN to enroll.