Nurses who want to become certified nurse educators can complete certificate programs that last about one year and are targeted at experienced nursing professionals. These certificate programs typically include about three to five courses and then require students to get hands-on experience in teaching by working with an experienced nurse educator in their local area. Opportunities for this type of work experience exist in settings such as schools, hospitals, medical centers and nursing schools.
Admission requirements for certified nurse educator programs vary depending on the school. For example, to get into nurse educator certificate programs such as the one offered by the University of Toledo in Ohio, students must have a current registered nurse license as well as a four-year bachelor's degree. Meanwhile, other schools such as Southern Connecticut State University look for applicants who have at least a two-year master's degree in nursing. Most nurse educator schools want applicants who have a minimum grade point average of about 3.0. Students generally also must submit a personal statement, current resume or curriculum vitae and recommendation letters and forms.
Classes in a certified nurse educator program teach students how to develop curricula and assessment tools in both classroom and clinical teaching situations. In addition, students go over the theory behind different nursing education pedagogies. Students also learn how to use technology in the classroom and study how to develop and manage budgets and secure funding for educational programs. Courses additionally cover significant issues in health care education. Some nurse educator programs actually offer courses online as well.
Schools that offer training for aspiring nurse educators should be accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and their state board of nursing. Accreditation demonstrates that a nurse educator program meets established standards for training in this field. Nurse educators then can seek voluntary certification through the National League for Nursing by having at least two years of experience in an academic faculty role and passing an examination (see Resources). They must complete continuing education requirements to be recertified every five years. Voluntary certification can improve a nurse educator's job opportunities.