OVERVIEW
What is a Nursing Professor?
Professors of Nursing are registered nurses (RNs) with advanced degrees who work to educate the future generation of nurses. Their day-to-day consists of teaching and researching at universities. They stay up to date with medical practices and teaching techniques to prepare students to be effective in the medical field.
Teaching nurses is a challenging but exciting career choice. If you’re interested in being on the forefront of changes in the nursing community, then this might be the career path for you. And with the U.S. currently suffering from a large vacancy of nursing educators, there's never been a better time to become a nursing professor.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Nursing Professor Do?
Nursing professors provide education and training for nurses at all stages of their careers—whether they’re first-year students or experienced nurses looking to further their professional development. They’re experts in the latest research and spend most of their time lecturing in universities.
But what does a nursing professor’s day-to-day work look like?
- Providing education at all levels. Nursing professors educate their students at a graduate or postgraduate level. You’ll be responsible for delivering lectures, creating instructional material, and evaluating your students by accurately grading their assignments.
- Creating a curriculum. Curriculum and syllabus design are a big part of the job. A good nursing professor will take into account their students’ needs, ensuring they can thrive after graduating into an increasingly complex healthcare environment.
- Staying current on research. You'll be expected to stay on top of new developments in your field and make sure important practices and knowledge trickle down to your students. You also might be conducting clinical research or perhaps presenting papers at conferences.
- Motivating and inspiring your students. University can be a stressful time for a lot of people, and as a registered nurse, many of your students will look to you for guidance. Your job will involve mentoring students, taking a long-term view of their growth and encouraging them to reach their full potential in the field.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Nursing Professor?
Step One: Become a registered nurse.
You’ll first need to get your bachelor’s degree in nursing. These usually take around four years of full-time study. But if you’ve already got an associate nursing degree, you may be able to apply for RN-to-BSN programs that allow working nurses to earn their bachelor’s degrees faster.
Step Two: Earn your nursing licensure.
The next step is passing the NCLEX-RN exam and meeting any state requirements to be eligible for nursing licensure.
Step Three: Gain clinical nursing experience.
Some MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) or DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) programs require proof of clinical nursing experience before you can be accepted. And this will also be necessary for future employment after earning your degree.
Step Four: Apply for an MSN, DNP, or Post-Master's Certificate.
After getting your clinical experience, you’ll be expected to pursue further education. Nursing professors working at a university or college generally need to have a DNP. An MSN typically takes about two years to complete, while a DNP varies. There are specific MSN Nursing Education programs that are uniquely positioned to help you take your nursing skills and translate them into teaching skills. If you've already completed a master's degree in nursing, you may want to earn a post-master's certificate in nursing education. Being able to combine these important disciplines is key for a successful nursing professor.
Best Degrees for a Nursing Professor
Health & Nursing
Nursing (Prelicensure) – B.S.
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a...
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a baccalaureate-prepared nurse:
- Locations: Due to in-person clinical requirements, students must be full time residents of Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin to enroll in this program. The coursework in this program is offered online, but there are in-person requirements.
- Tuition: $8,755 per 6-month term for the first 4 terms of pre-nursing coursework and $8,755 per 6-month term for the remaining 4 terms of clinical nursing coursework.
- Time: This program has a set pace and an expected completion time of 4 years. Certain coursework may be accelerated to finish faster.
- WGU offers the prelicensure program in areas where we have partnerships with healthcare employers to provide practice sites and clinical coaches to help teach you and inspire you on your path to becoming a nurse.
- If you don't live in one of our prelicensure states or don't qualify to apply, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also working directly with patients who need help.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Community Health
- Women's and Children's Nursing
- Pathology
- Physiology
- Research
Health & Nursing
Nursing (RN-to-BSN Online) – B.S.
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added...
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added theoretical depth, employability, and respect that a bachelor's degree brings:
- Time: The program is designed to be completed in 1 year.
- Tuition: $5,325 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 23 total courses in this program.
- Transfers: Students can transfer up to 90 credits.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Healthcare Policy and Economics
- Information Technology in Nursing Practice
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Applied Healthcare Statistics
If you don't currently have an RN and don't qualify for your nursing prelicensure program, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry in a unique way.
Health & Nursing
Nursing – Education (RN-to-MSN) – M.S.
This MSN – Education online nursing program for RNs includes a BSN program...
This MSN – Education online nursing program for RNs includes a BSN program component and is a substantial leap forward for an aspiring nurse educator.
- Time: 60% of RN-to-MSN grads finish within 38 months.
- Tuition and fees: $5,325 per 6-month term during undergraduate portion, and $5,035 per 6-month term during graduate portion.
- Courses: 32 total courses in this program.
This program is ideal for current RNs who are looking to earn both their BSN and MSN in a single, accelerated program.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Contemporary Curriculum Design and Development in Nursing Education
- Value-Based Nursing Care Outcomes
- Advanced Pathopharmacological Foundations
- Informatics for Transforming Nursing Care
- Leadership and Management
Given the growing nurse educator shortage, earning your MSN with a focus in education is both a rewarding decision and a solid career move.
Health & Nursing
Nursing – Education (BSN-to-MSN) – M.S.
A master's in nursing education program for nurses with BSNs....
A master's in nursing education program for nurses with BSNs.
- Time: 62% of grads finish within 24 months.
- Tuition: $5,035 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 15 total courses in this program.
This program is ideal for RNs who already have their BSN and are ready to progress in their career.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Contemporary Curriculum Design and Development in Nursing Education
- Quality Outcomes in a Culture of Value-Based Nursing Care
- Advanced Pathopharmacological Foundations
- Informatics for Transforming Nursing Care
- Leadership and Management
Hospitals and other facilities need nurse educators. Earn your MSN – Education and step into a role inspiring and empowering caregivers.
Health & Nursing
Nursing Leadership and Management – Post-Master's Certificate
A certificate for registered nurses with a master's degree in nursing who...
A certificate for registered nurses with a master's degree in nursing who are ready for greater responsibility in a leadership and management role.
- Time: Students typically finish this program in 12 months.
- Tuition: $5,035 per 6-month term. The cost to sit for the NAHQ Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) exam is included in tuition.
- Courses: 8 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Strategic Planning
- Resource Management
- Business Case Analysis
- Evaluating Healthcare Improvements
How Much Does a Nursing Professor Make?
$84,180
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the mean annual salary for a nursing professor was $84,180 in 2022. The top 10% of earners made $127,290 annually.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
8%
There’s an 8% growth for post-secondary educators between 2022 and 2032. Due to the nursing shortage, those thinking about entering the profession should find plenty of opportunities for employment after finishing their studies.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Nursing Professor Need?
Being a nursing professor is an intensive job. You’ll likely be lecturing, working on committees, and mentoring students. You’ll be engaged in doing extensive research on the latest science in your area of expertise. And you’ll have to do all of this while serving as a role model and inspiration for the students under your direction.
To be successful as a nursing professor you’ll need a mixture of skills. Some of these include:
- Ability to design a curriculum
- Firm leadership
- Strong clinical expertise
- Clear sense of communication
- Assessment and evaluation skills
- A passion for educating others
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