Retirement and burnout are two contributors to the nationwide nursing shortage, which is expected to last until 2030, but another factor in the growing problem is the lack of qualified educators in-place to train aspiring nurses. In fact, according to a report by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, more than 90,000 qualified applicants were turned away from bachelor’s and master’s-level nursing programs in 2021. Survey respondents cited faculty shortage as a top reason for not accepting all qualified applicants.
As a result, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, predicts a 20% increase in employment for nurse educators through 2028. An online master’s in nursing education from Franklin qualifies you for teaching positions in clinical and academic settings, as well as nonprofit organizations or the insurance industry. While patient care positions often offer higher salaries, education roles tout competitive benefits and more predictable schedules. The MSN-Nurse Educator is also a good stepping stone toward doctoral study in nursing and continued personal and professional development.
As a graduate of Franklin’s MSN-Nurse Educator program, you’ll emerge as a competent and compassionate nurse educator, able to contribute to the advancement of nursing education, the nursing profession and the delivery of high-quality patient care.
Excel as a nurse educator
Through Franklin’s School of Nursing (SON), you’ll build a strong foundation in clinical judgment, leadership and advocacy. However, as a benefit of the collaboration between the SON and the University’s International Institute for Innovative Instruction, the MSN-Nurse Educator program combines comprehensive advanced nursing theory and practice with industry-leading instructional design strategies and techniques. Through your choice of focus area courses, you’ll learn to assess educational needs and design tailored curricula, engage diverse learners, and integrate research findings into teaching practices.
Get hands-on clinical experience
Through the practicum and the capstone course, you’ll apply your knowledge in a healthcare or academic environment, refining your teaching abilities and developing your own philosophies. You’ll integrate the responsibilities of a nursing educator within a real-world context, incorporating key concepts covered throughout the MSN-Nurse Educator program.
The 80-hour practicum provides an opportunity for you to focus on a specific population of interest or a particular clinical role. Under the guidance of an experienced nurse educator, you’ll engage in educational activities that unite pedagogy, instructional design, curriculum development and assessment of learner outcomes.
The capstone course provides opportunities for weekly discussions and reflection on practicum learnings. In addition to presenting your experiences on leadership, mentorship and collaboration, you’ll also learn from other students in the course.