Demand For Nursing Educators [Infographic]

Audrey Willis http://onlinenursing.duq.edu 3m 784 #nursing

The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.

Meet The Demands Of Nursing Education

As you may know, the healthcare industry relies heavily on the talents and skills of nurse educators to train and educate future nurses. However, there is currently a shortage of nursing professionals. According to a recent study in the Journal of Nursing Scholarship, the number of nurses with nursing bachelor’s degrees has climbed to 57 percent in the U.S., but it’s not rising fast enough to reach the goal of 80 percent by the year 2020. It is for this reason I wanted to see if you would be interested in publishing a visual resource by Duquesne University that highlights the rising need for nurse educators to help enhance nurse education, as well as increase the number of registered nurses in the U.S.

To learn more about the importance of nurse educators and how they provide knowledge and value throughout the healthcare industry, view full infographic below. This infographic is free to publish and share.

Click to open / Right-click for save options

Text-Friendly Version

The Growing Need For Nursing Educators

In the healthcare industry, nursing educators are the unsung heroes and their mission to educate and train the next generation of nurses. Considering the current shortage of and high demand for nurses, the career prospects for nursing educators are bright and shining.

Multiple causes and factors are driving the demand for nurses, which, in turn, places the responsibility on nursing educators to address this pressing need.

High numbers of baby boomer nurses are heading towards retirement

An estimated 500,000 registered nurses by 2022

By 2030, the senior citizen population (age of 65 and older) will reach 69 million–a 75% increase over a 20-year period

By 2050, the senior citizen population will reach 88.5 million

Increasing pervasiveness of chronic disease

According to the National Council on Aging an estimated 80% of the US population suffers from at least one chronic condition

In 2014 American associates of colleges of nursing (AACN) found that over 68,000 qualified applicants were rejected from admission to schools based on:

• budget constraints
• lack of clinical preceptors
• limited classroom space
• faculty size
• availability of clinical sites

The annual survey of schools of nursing Academic Year 2011 to 2012 found that:

• 36% of Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) programs were not accepted.
• 28% of qualified applicants for a basic registered nurse (RN) education program were rejected.
• 45% of qualified applicants for an associate degree in nursing (ADN) program were not accepted.
• 18% for diploma programs were not accepted.

Nursing Educators have opportunities to teach in a variety of settings and across many disciplines. The unique challenge of filling the nursing educator position is largely due to low awareness of a nursing educator’s contributions.

Nursing Educator Specialties

• Cardiology
• Family Health
• Oncology
• Acute Care
• Pediatrics
• Psychiatric and Mental Health

Other Specialties such as leadership and assessment.

Education and Job Requirements

• Nursing educators are required to pass the NCLEX-RN national exam as well as the certified nurse educator exam.
• Nursing educators are involved in design implementation, evaluation, and revision of academic and continuing education programs for nurses.
• Nursing educators Teach students across multiple educational levels–those working toward an associate degree, those enrolled in a doctoral program or even current professionals continuing education.

NURSING EDUCATORS MAY ALSO:

• speak or present at conferences
• conduct research
• write grant proposals
• hold leadership roles within the academic community
• engage in peer reviews
• advise students
• join and contribute to professional associations

The Appeal of a Nursing Educator Career

• flexible work schedule
• access to latest research and knowledge
• opportunity to conduct research with health professionals
• high job security due to current lack of faculty

Current challenges and recruiting nursing educators include:

• finding qualified nurse faculty
• low awareness of this career path
• lack of demographic diversity among faculty

It’s often cited that the most rewarding aspect of this position is the privilege of teaching and training the next generation of nurses.

Nursing educator work environments can include:

• educational institutions
• hospitals
• private practices
• online learning programs
• training facilities

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for nursing instructors and teachers at the secondary level is projected to grow by 2.1%.

• the average salary for a nursing educator is $75,030
• the average salary of a nursing educator in California has approximately $105,030, the highest in the country
• the median salary is $69,130
• New Jersey is in second place, at $94,530 and New York and 3rd place also a $91,700

Conclusion

American poet Mark Van Doren once said, “the art of teaching is the art of assisting Discovery.” nursing Educators possess a passion for teaching that can’t be taught-it’s inbred. Furthermore, the nursing educator holds the position that arguably affects the lives of those beyond the classroom. They rewards extend beyond a salary-they include giving the gift of knowledge that will save lives.

DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY

Masters Nursing Education

(