Whether It Makes a Difference If the Advanced Degree Is In Nursing or a Related Discipline to Become a Nurse Educator
Before becoming a nurse educator, one must have a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination) must be done after one earns a BSN degree. The passing of the NCLEX-RN exam qualifies individuals for licensure as RN (Registered Nurse). After all these qualifications, an RN should obtain an advanced degree to qualify as a nurse educator (Registered Nurse.org, n.d). An advanced degree assumes various forms, including a Doctor of Nursing Philosophy (Ph.D.), Master’ s of Science in Nursing degree(MSN), or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
An MSN degree is advanced than bachelor’s degree programs because it builds knowledge acquired by nurses during their undergraduate curriculum. However, Registered Nurses interested in the academic setting can major in Doctor of Nursing Philosophy programs. Individuals with these qualifications teach students leadership, research tactics, and public policy (Registered Nurse.org, n.d). The American Association of College of Nursing requires individuals to earn some doctorate in nursing to pursue employment opportunities at universities or colleges as nurse educators. Thus, individuals with a Doctor of Nursing Philosophy (Ph.D.) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) are suitable to assume the nurse educator’s role.
Nursing Ph.D. programs underscore the importance of research while the Doctor of Nursing Practice emphasizes clinical practice. Those applying for a nurse educator role must have at a minimum a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) along with a nursing license. Nurse educators with a master’s degree or higher qualifications can teach diploma, associate, licensed practice nurse, and licensed vocational nurse programs. A doctorate is necessary to teach at the graduate or undergraduate level. However, nurse educators with a master’s degree can be employed as instructors or professors in universities if they have years of teaching or practical experience in a novel or desirable specialty.
From the analysis, it is evident that a nurse educator must have a nursing background and not any other discipline. Additionally, nurse educators should have a graduate degree to adequately prepare nurses to provide care in a highly demanding healthcare sector. Accordingly, a graduate degree is necessary to enhance nurse educators’ contributions in curriculum development and modification, research, and policymaking.
References
American Association of Colleges of Nursing.(n.d). Master’s education. https://www.aacnnursing.org/Nursing-Education-Programs/Masters-Education
National Academy of Sciences. (2011). The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK209885/