I spend 60-70% of my time preparing to teach: putting together lesson plans, reading, researching, grading papers, etc. Another 5-10% is spent in meetings with colleagues, and then the final 20% of my time is actually spent in the classroom with my students.
CAREER
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$77,440
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+21.5% (much faster than the average)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary Do
Demonstrate and teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to nursing students. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Other Job Titles Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary May Have
Assistant Professor, Nursing Instructor, Nursing Professor, Professor
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
I work remotely, so the first thing I do is have my morning coffee while looking out at the countryside. Then, I move to my home office where I organize my day, check emails, complete daily tasks, and put an effort in on bigger projects for Walden University, publishing, research, and volunteer nursing organization work. I like to find time to complete a 30 minute walk each day.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory and clinic work, assignments, and papers.
- Supervise students' laboratory and clinical work.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Assess clinical education needs and patient and client teaching needs using a variety of methods.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Master's degree (50%)
Master's degree
Doctoral degree
Post-doctoral training
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
High School
Associates
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Nursing Science
Graduate
Nursing Science
Doctorate
Nursing Science
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
They would need to learn how to do injections, draw blood, insert and remove catheters, how to insert feeding tubes, clean tracheotomies, etc. You'll only perfect most of these tasks through experience. You also need to learn about law and ethics in medicine, and work on your bedside manner.
I am nationally certified in nursing education and online education. I also keep my nursing knowledge updated by publishing, research, leadership in professional nursing organizations, and continuing education. My nursing experience and teaching at a large university has prepared me for teaching online.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
High School Students
Depending on your financial situation, you can either go into a four-year bachelor's degree program, or into a two-year associate's program. If you're interested in nursing, you'll need to do a nurse's aide program (which lasts about three or four months) to make sure that you actually want to pursue a career in this industry.
To be full time faculty in nursing, you must have education in nursing and the education. Nursing is not for everyone and it is important for a high school student or first year college student to know what a nurse does. It would be enlightening to volunteer at a hospital or clinic and observe a nurse, also interviewing a nurse to ask questions about the job. Staying on track in acquiring education while also gaining nursing experience can offer a rewarding career.
Everyone
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
