Teach the next generation of nurses
- $627/credit (39 credits total)
- Provides educational content for CNE exam certification
- Transfer up to 12 graduate credits
- No GRE/GMAT required
- 18% projected growth for post-secondary nursing instructors1
- Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Earn Your Online MSN in Nurse Education
Combine your clinical expertise and passion for teaching with the online Master of Science in Nursing Nurse Educator program at Southern New Hampshire University. This program can help prepare you to lead and teach future nursing professionals as an academic or clinical nurse educator in major universities, community colleges, hospitals and healthcare organizations.
With most nursing schools facing growing numbers of applicants, nurse educators are in high demand. The online MSN Nurse Educator program provides each student with an authentic learning experience that develops resume-building skills and knowledge required to teach the next generation of nurses.
Learn how to:
- Propose informatics systems initiatives and technologies that facilitate effective decision making in delivering upon and enhancing patient care
- Apply research practices and methodologies drive change in healthcare
- Create client-centered, culturally appropriate health prevention and promotion initiatives
- Generate data-driven solutions for operational challenges in healthcare across diverse settings
- Advocate for ethically responsible policies and effective systems
- Build effective working relationships and facilitate ethical and strategic decision making
- Synthesize educational theory, research, evaluation and experiential knowledge in nursing education settings
At the end of the program, students will have an opportunity to put learning into practice with a capstone course that includes a 120-hour clinical and academic teaching immersion experiences under the guidance of nurse educator preceptors.
The online MSN program is based on the competencies and practice standards defined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the National League for Nursing (NLN). Graduates of the MSN Nurse Educator program meet the educational requirements to sit for the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) exam offered by the National League for Nursing.
Nurse Educator Career Outlook
Nurses are in high demand, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting over 221,900 new jobs for registered nurses through 2029.1 But that's just the tip of the iceberg.
As the workforce ages, demand is also shifting to nurses with more specialized skills – with leadership and teaching as some of the most valued among them.
For this reason, jobs for postsecondary nursing instructors and teachers are expected to grow a significant 18% through 2029, totaling 12,800 new occupations.1
Consider, too, the unprecedented challenges of the recent pandemic. The evolving state of healthcare fuels a need for nurse educators – those who can help prepare nurses in a rapidly changing field – now more than ever.
That's why SNHU offers this program with no caps or waiting lists – helping you get one step closer to the next chapter in your career.
Start Your Journey Toward an Online Nurse Educator Degree
Why SNHU for Your Online Nurse Educator Degree
Flexible
With no set class meeting times, you can learn on your schedule and access online course materials 24/7.
Affordable
Take advantage of some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation, plus financial aid for those who qualify. We also make it easy to transfer to SNHU by accepting up to 12 graduate credits from your previous institution.
Respected
Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 100,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.
Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:
- “Most Innovative” regional university honors from U.S. News & World Report each year since 2015
- A $1 million grant from Google.org to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
- Recognition as a 2017 Digital Learning Innovator by the Online Learning Consortium
Network
At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 200,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.
96.5% of students would recommend SNHU.3 Discover why SNHU may be right for you.
Admission Requirements
Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 5 graduate terms. You can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials. To apply, simply contact an admission counselor, who can help you explore financial options. Your counselor can also walk you through the application process, which involves completing a graduate application and providing undergraduate transcripts.
MSN Admission Requirements:
- Must maintain an active unencumbered Registered Nurse license. Licensure exam must be equivalent to NCLEX-RN examination. (If a student holds active licenses in more than one state/jurisdiction all licenses must be unencumbered.)
- Must have an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited nursing program (ACEN, CCNE, and CNEA) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Provisional acceptance may be extended to applicants with an undergraduate GPA between 2.67 and 2.99.
No BSN? No problem! SNHU also offers an accelerated RN to MSN online pathway for registered nurses who know they want to continue their education onto an MSN. The accelerated pathway saves eligible students up to $3,700 in tuition and 20 weeks of time.
SNHU nursing programs are not authorized in the state of Washington or U.S. territories, and we are not accepting students residing in Washington state or U.S. territories into nursing programs at this time. Currently enrolled students who move into the state of Washington or a U.S. territory will not be able to continue in nursing courses until they move out of the state of Washington or the U.S. territory. Prospective students are encouraged to contact an admission counselor, and current students should contact their academic advisor, for more information.
How to Apply
Simply contact an admission counselor, who can help you explore financial options, answer all your questions and walk you through the application process, which includes:
- Completing a graduate application
- Providing undergraduate transcripts
- Meeting all MSN admission program requirements above
Nursing Education Courses & Curriculum
The online MSN Nurse Educator is aligned to the core competencies defined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the National League for Nursing. The program provides the essential skills required by registered nurses to either transition into or supports the requirements of the nurse educator role. Graduates of the MSN Nurse Educator program meet the educational requirements to sit for the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) exam offered by the National League for Nursing.
It is a requirement that Clinical Nurse Leader and Nurse Educator students carry their own medical malpractice insurance while enrolled in practicum courses. At least two terms prior to the start of the clinical components, students will be required to demonstrate proof of having an active individual medical malpractice certificate. In addition, all students must comply with the requirements of the healthcare organizations where their capstone clinical immersion experience will be completed. These requirements may include (but are not limited to) criminal background checks and verification of licensure, immunization records, and health insurance. Students may incur additional costs to meet the healthcare organization's requirements.
| View Full Curriculum in the Catalog |
|---|
| MS Nursing Nurse Educator |
| Courses May Include | ||
|---|---|---|
| MSN in Nurse Educator Online | ||
| IHP 501 | Global Health and Diversity | This course provides students with broad foundation in the structure of healthcare delivery systems; the political, financial and social constructs affecting the healthcare systems; and how policy and social determinants of health influence access, equity and outcomes in health. Utilizing this foundation and authentic real world scenarios, students will evaluate the efficacy of existing policy and interventions as well as lead interdisciplinary teams in the design of culturally relevant strategies to prepare students to advance the health for a specific population. |
| IHP 525 | Biostatistics | This course provides students with a basic foundation of biostatistics and its role in public health and health sciences. The course covers the statistical principles that govern the analysis of data in public health and health sciences. Included in this course are exploratory data analysis, probability theory, confidence interval testing, hypotheses testing, power and sample size determination, and multivariable methods. |
| NUR 506 | Evidence-Based Practice | Graduate nursing students build upon previous learning of nursing research and evidence-based practice in order to become proficient in critiquing, generating, translating research evidence into practice, and disseminating results to advance nursing knowledge. Emphasis is placed on identifying a researchable practice question, analysis of research findings for evidence-based practice, and ethical issues in nursing research. Students demonstrate proficiency in selection of methodologies which may be used to generate research evidence for practice. |
| NUR 507 | Transition to Graduate Nursing Practice | This course is designed to assist the registered nurse with a BSN degree to transition to graduate study in order to maximize their performance and opportunities for success. The course will cover such topics as the standards for scholarly writing, using evidence, study habits, and managing a graduate-level workload. The role of the Master's-prepared nurse as a clinical scholar, clinical expert and as leader in evidence-based practice and transformation of health care will be emphasized. The course will introduce the final capstone course and the development of a professional portfolio. |
| NUR 515 | Advanced Nursing Concepts | In this course, students will analyze the history and evolution of nursing conceptual models and theories. Students examine the linkages between empirical, aesthetic, ethical, personal, and sociopolitical patterns of knowing with the conceptual models and paradigms of nursing. Students will explore the components of conceptual-theoretical-empirical structures for theory-generating, theory-testing research, and application to practice. Students who successfully complete the course (B- or better, course work & projects) will receive 45 indirect practice hours. |
| NUR 530 | Systems Leadership and Collaborative Practice | This course provides students with the strategies and tools necessary for leadership roles in systems management and inter-professional practice. Ethical leadership concepts, analysis of diverse organizational systems across the healthcare continuum, change agency and communication skills are emphasized in the processes of coalition building, negotiating conflict, workforce planning and inter-professional team relationship building to produce quality patient outcomes. The course will enhance student ability to think systematically and develop comprehensive understanding of core competencies required to initiate and sustain change in organizations. |
| NUR 601 | Advanced Pathophysiology | Students build upon prior knowledge of physiology and pathophysiological processes to acquire advanced knowledge of the relationships between normal physiology and specific system alterations produced by injury and disease to foster clinical reasoning skills. Focus is placed on etiology, pathogenesis, developmental, genetic, environmental influences, and clinical manifestations of major health problems across the lifespan. |
| NUR 602 | Advanced Pharmacology Across the Life Span | Content focuses on current concepts in the pharmacologic therapies of common health care problems seen in primary and acute care health care. Basic pathophysiology, clinical pharmacology, modes of therapy, and monitoring parametrics are explored. Diagnosis and management of health care problems and their treatment regimens are discussed. Case studies are utilized to clarify, reinforce, and correlate therapeutics with specific health care problems. |
| NUR 607 | Advanced Health Assessment | In this course, students will build on previous clinical experience, as well as undergraduate course work to master health assessment skills and communication strategies. Students conduct comprehensive, evidence-based health assessments encompassing environmental, genetic, multicultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic factors. Students also explore ways of adapting their communication style to meet the specific needs of their audience. The course also focuses on mastering the physical and mental health exam and formulating plans to ensure effective patient-centered care. Periodic hands on simulation assignments will be utilized formatively to practice knowledge and skill acquisition. *This course may incur additional costs for practice simulation software. |
| NUR 635 | Teaching and Learning for Nurse Educator | This course explores the process of teaching and learning in nursing education. Nurse educator roles and expectations are examined. Theories and philosophies of learning and different types of teaching strategies are evaluated for their application in a variety of nursing education settings and levels of education, and for their impact on diverse learners. Emphasis is placed on who the learner is and how they learn, who the faculty is and what the faculty role entails, and the use of appropriate evidence-based teaching strategies. |
| NUR 640 | Assessment and Evaluation in Nursing Education | This course examines basic principles of assessment and evaluation of learning in academic, online, and clinical settings. Students will explore content about assessment versus evaluation; formative and summative assessments; test development, item analysis, developing and using grading rubrics; standardized testing in nursing - ATI, HESI, NCLEX - and evaluation of clinical performance. The course also explores legal and ethical issues related to evaluation and grading. Students who successfully complete the course (B- or better, course work & projects) will receive 45 indirect practice hours. |
| NUR 645 | Curriculum Design in Nursing | Explore strategies for the development of curricula in nursing education. Learn how to synthesize evidence from the science of nursing education with nursing professional standards and institutional missions and philosophies in developing nursing curricula. Students gain a comprehensive view of the nurse educator's responsibility in curriculum development, evaluation, and revision. |
| NUR 685 | Nurse Educator Capstone | Observe and explore the Nurse Educator role under the guidance of an experienced nurse educator preceptor during a 120 hour teaching immersion experience. Synthesize prior learning by implementing a scholarly project developed during your program of study. Students gain practical experience with a focus on an authentic demonstration of the nurse educator role and the NLN Certified Nurse Educator exam competencies. |
| Total Credits: 39 | ||
Tuition & Fees
Tuition rates for SNHU's online degree programs are among the lowest in the nation. We offer a 25% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.
| Online Graduate Programs | Per Course | Per Credit Hour |
|---|---|---|
| Degree/Certificates | $1,881 | $627 |
|
Degree/Certificates (U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty)* |
$1,410 | $470 |
Tuition Rates are subject to change and are reviewed Annually.
*Note: students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.
Additional Costs:
$150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)
Students enrolled in MSN programs may be subject to ongoing licensure checks through a third party vendor, additional fees will apply and may vary by state.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can you do with a master's in nursing education?
A master's in nursing education can help position you for a few different career paths.
Primarily, nurse educators can teach in academic or hospital settings. Those who enter the field will educate nurses on the newest processes, standards, technology and safety measures that uphold regulatory requirements and improve patient care. In the hospital setting, nurse educators are supporting working nurses through on-the-job training. Within academic settings, nurse educators can be found teaching pre-licensure or post-licensure students, helping prepare them for a rewarding career.
How much does a master's in nursing education graduate make?
Salary expectations for those who have earned a master's in nursing education may vary. Several factors, such as experience, setting and job role may impact your earning potential.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, postsecondary nursing instructors and teachers reportedly earned median annual wages of $74,600 in 2019.1
What types of master's degrees in nursing are there?
There are several different types of campus-based and online master's in nursing options. Nursing education is just one of many possible career tracks. And as the field evolves, plenty of new opportunities are growing with it.
You could, for example, pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) generalist degree, specialize in patient safety and quality or advance as a clinical nurse leader.
“You will learn very quickly through clinical experiences what you like and don’t like,” said Dr. Sonya Blevins, associate dean of nursing at SNHU. “A good nursing program will help you figure out your path by the time you graduate,” she said.
University Accreditation
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) as well as several other accrediting bodies.
Licensure and Certification Disclosures
SNHU has provided additional information for programs that educationally prepare students for professional licensure or certification. Learn more about what that means for your program on our licensure and certification disclosure page.
Related Articles
References
Sources & Citations (1, 2, 3)
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the Internet, at:
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm (viewed April 5, 2021).
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm (viewed April 5, 2021).
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
2 American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Nursing Faculty Shortage, on the internet, at https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-information/fact-sheets/nursing-faculty-shortage#:~:text=According%20to%20AACN's%20report%20on,%2C%20clinical%20sites%2C%20classroom%20space%2C (viewed April 5, 2021)
3According to more than 9,200 SNHU online students in survey responses from the fall of 2019.